Overall, Minuets have few health problems, but there are specific genetic conditions to look out for as with any species. The boning provides a good support system for its uniquely short legs. From the Persian group (including Persians, Exotic Shorthairs and Himalayans) the Minuet has inherited its short snout, round face, dense coat and substantial boning. The Napoleon inherited its distinctively short legs from the Munchkin, which are caused by a naturally occurring genetic mutation. Among others, the breed is not recognised by:ĭescription A long-haired white and gray Minuet cat named Rhubarb.

Breeding ban Īpart from TICA, the other major cat registries do not allow the registry of the Minuet breed, nor recognise it, due to concerns about the animal's welfare. In January 2015, TICA's board of directors voted to change the name of the mix to the Minuet. The original Napoleon standard was written with this in mind. He chose the Persian breed group as an outcross to the Munchkin for two reasons: beauty and boning. Smith decided that something had to be done to create a cat unique in both short- and long-legged versions, something that looked purebred. He was a fan of the Munchkin, but felt that the unavoidable long-legged versions were indistinguishable from similar mixed cats, commonly seen in animal shelters. He was inspired by the Wall Street Journal's front-page feature of the Munchkin on June 12, 1995.

Smith, a Basset Hound breeder and American Kennel Club (AKC) judge. Minuets come in both long-haired and short-haired varieties. This includes the combinations Minuet × Minuet, Minuet × Munchkin, and Minuet × one of the Persian-type breeds (including Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs). Categorized by The International Cat Association (TICA) as a domestic hybrid, 'developed from a deliberate cross between two existing domestic breeds, incorporating characteristics of both parental breeds into the new mix.' The Minuet cat is characterized by its short legs, as a result of the dwarfism-mutation similar to the Munchkin cats.Īccording to TICA's official standards, these breeds represent the only permissible outcrosses one may use to create the Minuet. The Minuet (formerly known as the Napoleon) is a hybrid mix of Persian and Munchkin cat breeds. Not recognized by other registries than TICA

Napoleon cat