Napoleon

Things you Should Know about the Minuet

The Minuet cat is known for its lovely baby-doll face and low-slung body. It will surely catch your attention if you’re a cat lover. Its origins are from the Persian and the Munchkin cats. It shares the gentleness of the former and the energy of the latter.

Minuet cats are also known as the Napoleon cats, although that name is considered outdated nowadays. They are medium-sized and have short legs. Still, they are capable of achieving impressive speeds.

These cats are quite charming and are highly affectionate, and they love humans. They have an innocent look on their face, making it even more precious when they get into trouble. And you can expect that to happen with these playful cats!

Appearance Matters. What does the Minuet look like?

The short legs of a Minuet are inherited from one of its parent breeds, the Munchkin. Some kittens can be born with longer legs. They will still, however, keep the breed’s other physical features.

Minuet cats are known for being quite small and are most often quite round. Their face, eyes, and body all have a roundness to them. Still, they are quite strong cats and are always active. Don’t let their small size fool you.

People used to refer to the breed as Napoleon. Named after the legendary French military leader Napoleon Bonaparte, known to be quite short in stature. 

These cats have a straight, broad nose, which gives them a unique look and makes them different from the Persian cats, who usually have a snub nose. The thick coat can be either long or short. However, it is always soft and lush.

Shorthaired Minuet cats have dense and plush fur, while the longhaired ones have a straight coat. They also normally have an undercoat that is quite thick. 

Typically, they will weigh between 5lbs and 9lbs. Still, you may run into a smaller or larger cat occasionally.

What colors do the Minuet cats come in?

Minuet cats can come in every color and pattern. This includes those colors that are outside of the spectrum of the typical Persian colors. 

For example, you can find Minuet kittens in these popular colors and patterns:

• Pointed
• Mink
• Sepia
• Shaded
• Bicolor 
• Lilac
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon

These cats can also be white with green eyes, as well as odd-eyed. This means that one eye will be a different color from the other, and it gives them a unique, distinctive look.

It's all Personal. The Minuet Temperament

These felines are affectionate and very people-focused.

If you end up living with these cats, you can expect them to follow you all around the house. Minuet cats are active and playful. They generally enjoy interacting with their human family. This is why you should make sure you are spending enough time with your pet. Play with them every day, and be sure to give them some attention.

These cats do not like being left alone and generally prefer the company of people. They also enjoy the company of other pets, even different cats. Snuggling is what they do best, so if you’re looking for a cat that enjoys that, the Minuet is a good pick for you.

While they enjoy cuddling more than anything, Minuet cats also have a playful and curious side. 

You should make sure to get them some interactive toys and put them in their living environment. This will keep them stimulated mentally. 

Caring for your Minuet

Minuet cats have a plush coat with an undercoat. This is the same for long- and short-hair varieties. It is generally not as heavy and thick as in Persians, but this can vary depending on the individual cat.

You should really comb Minuet cats daily, or every other day at the least, as they can shed substantially. This will also prevent their coat from tangling or matting. 

Pay close attention and make sure to reach the areas behind the ears, between the legs, and their tummy.

Bathing is optional, and it depends on the environment you keep them in. A heavier coated long-haired Minuet should get used to bathing and blow-drying from an early age. This way you won’t have problems with it later on. 

You should do the entire process as gently and slowly as possible, and your cat might end up enjoying it.

The Minuet is not a hypoallergenic cat breed because they do shed.

The Health and Happiness of your Minuet

Minuets are healthy cats in general, and you shouldn’t expect to have any major problems with their health. Still, they can be predisposed to the same conditions as the Persian and Munchkin breed. 

There are several health problems that Minuet cats can face. 

First off is cataracts. A cat that has the condition will develop a cloudy or opaque appearance of its lens. The cat’s lens is usually clear, and this will interfere with the light’s ability to reach the retina. This condition can be quite severe and can sometimes have a significant impact on your cat’s vision. 

Next is Lordosis, which is a condition that makes the spinal muscles grow too short. This then makes the spine sink down lower into the body of the cat. This condition can be fatal in worst-case scenarios.

Finally, we have polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is an inherited condition. This causes multiple cysts to form in the kidneys of the cat. These cysts are usually present from birth if a cat has this disease. They grow larger over time and can disrupt kidney function. This can lead to kidney failure.

How Expensive is a Napoleon Cat?

Napoleon cats are also known as Minuet cats, so it might be harder for some to find their prices. This is why we are here to help you find everything you need about this lovely breed.

These cats can get quite expensive, though. Expect a Napoleon kitten for sale to cost around $3,000. This is the price of a standard kitten and it is the starting price, which means it can go up.

Non-standard napoleon kittens can cost between $1,700 and $2,000 which isn’t exactly cheap either. Still, if you’re interested in getting one you can find reputable breeders on our website.

Feline History. Where does the Minuet come from?

The breeder responsible for the Minuet is Joe Smith. He started to develop the breed in 1996 by crossing a Munchkin and a Persian. This makes the Minuet another fairly recent cat breed.

Smith used cats known as doll-faced Persian kitties in his breeding program. They have a longer nose and a more attractive expression. In 2001 he finally contacted The International Cat Association. TICA then added this new breed to the collection of Experimental Breeds.

The breed status continued to be Registration Only, and Joe Smith left the project in 2008. However, others continued his work, and Margie Gardner and Sam Tate finally helped move this breed forward. 

Finally, it was recognized as a Preliminary New Breed in 2011 by TICA, and Teri Harris is the breeder responsible for that achievement.