Minuet cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A rare short-legged cat with a rounded Persian-type face, made by crossing the Munchkin with Persian-type breeds; formerly named the Napoleon.
Also known as Minuet cat, Napoleon, Napoleon cat, Minuet Napoleon
Quick facts
| Origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Size | Small |
| Typical weight | Roughly 5-9 lb (2.3-4.1 kg); reports vary and no firm standard |
| Coat length | Medium |
| Coat | Short or long, depending on the Persian-type parent |
| Colours and patterns | Any colour or pattern |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 4 |
| Shedding | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 5 |
Best suited to
| Suits | Someone who has weighed the welfare debate on dwarf and flat-faced cats and wants a small, calm, soft-natured companion for an indoor home. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a cat with no inherited skeletal or breathing risk, or who cannot groom a long coat. |
Registries that recognise it
- TICA
Health conditions to watch
- Joint and spine problems linked to dwarfism
- Osteoarthritis
- Breathing and eye problems from a short face
About the Minuet
The Minuet is a dwarf breed from the United States. It began when the breeder Joe Smith crossed Persians with Munchkins in 1996. The goal was a cat with a Persian-style face on short legs. The Persian side can also come from the Himalayan or the Exotic Shorthair, which TICA allows as outcrosses. The breed was first called the Napoleon, and TICA renamed it the Minuet in 2015. TICA allowed it to compete for championships from 2016. Other major registries do not recognise dwarf breeds.
The cat is small and compact, with a rounded head and a short face, and the coat is short or long depending on the line. Any colour or pattern is accepted.
Temperament and living with one
The Minuet is described by breeders as a sweet, quiet and affectionate cat. It tends to suit an indoor life and stays close to its people. Few studies have recorded its behaviour, so the descriptions are anecdotal.
Short legs mean a Minuet cannot jump to the same heights as other cats, so low stairs, ramps and a short cat tree make a home easier. It can play, chase and run on the ground, and enjoys light games with a person. It usually gets on with children who are gentle, and with other pets when introductions are slow.
Care: coat, food and play
A long coat needs combing most days, as with a Persian, to prevent mats. A short coat needs a weekly brush. Wipe the eyes with a soft damp cloth if they weep, which is common in flat-faced cats, and ask your vet about any redness or discharge. Trim the nails and check the ears.
Keep the cat lean, since extra weight puts pressure on the joints and spine. Offer measured meals of a complete diet. Provide a shallow litter tray and low furniture access.
Health
The Minuet inherits two sets of concerns. The Munchkin gene gives dwarfism, a skeletal dysplasia linked to joint and spine problems and a higher risk of osteoarthritis. The short face of the Persian side can bring breathing difficulty, tear staining, eye disease and dental crowding. Both traits are subject to welfare debate. Some countries restrict or discourage breeding dwarf cats or flat-faced cats, and many registries will not recognise dwarf breeds. Little research exists on the breed itself. Ask your vet what to watch for and ask the breeder what health records they can show.
Is it right for you?
Choose a Minuet if you understand the welfare questions, can groom, and want a quiet cat for an indoor home. If you like the face but want a cat with a more typical body, look at the Persian or the Exotic Shorthair, and note that those breeds have their own flat-face concerns.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026