At a glance the quick version
TICA gives an adult average of 7-8 lb (about 3.2-3.6 kg), with no split by sex.
Coat and looks how to spot one
longhair or shorthair, dense with undercoat; short legs
A sturdy, well-boned cat on short legs (standard) or longer legs (non-standard), with roundness everywhere: a round head, big round eyes, small rounded ears and a short muzzle. The dense coat comes in long and short varieties and has an undercoat, though it is lighter than a Persian's.21
Personality what they are like
Charming and very people-oriented, blending the Persian's calm, gentle nature with the Munchkin's curiosity and playfulness. Minuets are happy to warm a lap but also like to join in the fun.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Fairly relaxed like a Persian but not a couch potato; despite short legs it can dash through the house surprisingly fast.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Daily combing with a steel comb keeps the coat free of tangles; baths are optional depending on the home. Trim nails and brush teeth regularly.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete cat food with fresh water daily. TICA suggests watching portion sizes and body weight, as the breed is less active than some.2
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and affectionate; enjoys being close to its family.2
The story where it all began
Joe Smith, a former Basset Hound breeder, read about Munchkins in the Wall Street Journal in 1995 and set out to make a short-legged cat with a Persian look. Working with Persian breeder Deb Kenny, he saw the first litter arrive in late 1997. First called the Napoleon, the breed was renamed Minuet by TICA in 2015 and gained full championship status in 2016.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed was originally named after Napoleon Bonaparte, a nod to its short stature.2
- 2
The founder took inspiration from his years of breeding Basset Hounds.1
- 3
Doll-faced Persian lines, with slightly longer noses than modern show Persians, were used in its development.2
- 4
Minuets can also be born with long legs; these are called non-standards.2
Recognised by the official bits
- TICA
- Experimental 2001, registration 2002, preliminary 2011, championship status 23 January 2016; renamed from Napoleon to Minuet in 20151
- CFA / FIFe / GCCF / WCF
- Not recognised1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Minuet. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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HimalayanLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Minuet cat en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, origin, recognition milestones, parent breeds
- TICA: Minuet tica.orgused for history, weight, lifespan, coat, colours, temperament, activity, grooming, diet, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.