MINUET

Minuet: The Elegance of Genetics and the Care in Every Detail

At Mozziland Cattery, we are proud to be the only breeder in Portugal specializing in the responsible breeding of the Minuet breed – a unique, charming feline with a truly memorable appearance.

Also known as the "doll-faced cat," the Minuet stands out for its delicate appearance and robust build, with short legs in the Standard version and long limbs in the Non-Standard version. The combination of the Persian's charm and the Munchkin's distinctive structure has resulted in a glamorous, affectionate breed that is still developing, but with increasingly recognized and valued standards on the international stage.

The Origin of the Minuet Breed: A Project of Passion and Genetic Precision

The journey of the Minuet breed began in 1995 when Joe Smith, an experienced Basset Hound breeder, read an article in the Wall Street Journal about the Munchkin cat. Fascinated by the novelty of a cat with short legs, Smith saw in it the possibility of developing a new breed that combined this structure with the calm temperament and luxurious appearance of cats from the Persian Group (Persian, Himalayan, and Exotic).

He soon realized that, unlike dogs, the gene for short legs in cats is an incomplete autosomal dominant trait, meaning that even when crossing two short-legged cats, some of the kittens will be born with normal (long) legs. This genetic complexity required meticulous work, with planned crossbreeding, expert guidance, and a clear vision: to create a stable breed with the appearance of a purebred, in both the Standard (short legs) and Non-Standard (long legs) versions.

Persians Munchkins = Minuets: The Formula for Charm

With the support of breeder Deb Kenny, a leading expert on Persian cats, the selection of high-quality specimens to form the first bloodlines began. The choice of cats from the Persian Group offered a wide variety of colors and patterns (including long-haired and short-haired versions), as well as characteristics such as:

• Rounded head
• Large, expressive eyes
• Compact, muscular body
• Dense, lush coat
• The combination with the Munchkin resulted in a smaller stature and a touch of visual originality, resulting in a cat with a charming appearance and balanced temperament.

Challenges and Official Recognition

From the start, the creation of the Minuet faced controversy within the feline world.

The short-legged gene was new to cat breeders and generated distrust. Furthermore, debates about crossbreeding with the Persian and its variations (such as the Himalayan and the Exotic) added layers of complexity to the acceptance of the new breed.

Despite this, with technical guidance from TICA experts such as Solveig Pflueger (geneticist) and Gloria Stephens (renowned judge and author), the breed's development advanced on a solid foundation. In 2016, after an impeccable presentation during the TICA (The International Cat Association) assembly, the Minuet breed was officially promoted to championship status, becoming a recognized and standardized breed to compete.

Minuet: Personality and Coexistence

Besides its irresistible appearance, the Minuet is a cat with a sweet, affectionate personality and is extremely adaptable to family life. Whether short-legged or long-legged, this feline maintains the calm and sweetness typical of Persians, but with a charming vivacity inherited from the Munchkin.

Its balanced temperament, combined with its compact size and gentle gaze, makes it ideal for homes seeking a loving, quiet companion with a striking presence.

Minuets at Mozziland Cattery: Commitment to Excellence

At Mozziland Cattery, Minuet cats are bred with utmost seriousness, genetic knowledge, and a focus on animal welfare. Our cats are:

Raised without cages

They live inside the house, like members of the family.

Socialized from birth

Accompanied by a specialized veterinarian

Result of selected and controlled lineages

We don't work with mass production. Each crossbreeding is planned based on international standards and clear genetic objectives. We prioritize the health, temperament, and breed type.

Why Choose a Minuet from the Mozziland Cattery?

Proven expertise in the ethical breeding of the breed.

Pedigree puppies, with official documentation and registration.

Complete transparency in the process.

Personalized guidance for the new family.

Lifelong commitment to the well-being of the puppies delivered.

The Minuet's "journey" began on June 12, 1995, with a Wall Street Journal article about Munchkin. Founder Joe Smith saw this article and immediately fell in love with this short-legged cat. Having been a Basset Hound breeder for many years, he was amazed that the short-legged (dwarf) gene had finally appeared in the cat world. Joe soon learned, however, that the short-legged gene for cats is not as dominant as in dogs. Even when two short-legged cats are bred together, there will always be approximately 50% long-legged cats that do not carry the short-legged gene. Despite the Munchkin's unique appearance, Joe soon realized that the inevitable long-legged version of the Munchkin was indistinguishable from the everyday domestic cat. Recognizing the significance of this new mutation in the cat world, Joe felt that something needed to be done to create a unique, purebred-looking cat in both its short-legged and long-legged versions. Coming from a background in dog shows, Basset Hounds in particular, Joe observed that all short-legged (dwarf) dog breeds came with an ultra-robust build. From the Basset Hound to the Dachshund, what they had in common was substantial bone structure. He felt this was an important trait that should be incorporated into this new dwarf cat breed. Luckily, Joe developed a close friendship with Persian breeder Deb Kenny of Sejumay Persians. Discussions with Deb about using the Persian as an outcross were held, and in this case, Deb became not only a mentor in the world of cat breeding but also an invaluable help in selecting appropriate Persian crosses with the Munchkin. It was decided from the outset that all members of the Persian group would be used (Persian, Himalayan, and Exotic), giving this new breed an unlimited color palette that could be incorporated into both short-haired and long-haired cats. The combination of these two parent groups would in fact create a unique new breed of both... with short legs, but abundant fur and rounded in all features except the high nose and extreme facial features of the Persian. In February 1996, Joe bought a Munchkin kitten from Penny Squires of Penhaven Munchkins. Fortunately, this kitten was the granddaughter of a show Persian that Penny had bred to acquire the long-haired gene. In due course, Deb Kenny provided an Exotic male, and the first litter arrived in late 1997.

If ever there was a cat breed destined to represent the maxim "Nothing worth having is easy," it would be the Minuet. Controversy seemed to surround this new breed from the start, beginning not with one, but with both parent breeds. At the time, the diminutive Munchkin had the cat world spinning. The dwarf gene has existed in dogs for centuries, but not in the cat world. For good reason, the cat people were up in arms and quite suspicious of this new phenomenon (for them). On the Persian front, even though it was a long-established breed, fights had recently occurred over the Himalayan (pointed Persians, originating from the Siamese) and were currently continuing with the Exotics (short-haired Persians, originating from the American Shorthair). We can only imagine the uproar created when a new breed was being created by combining these two highly controversial entities. Fortunately, our path was firmly set in the TICA “Registration Classification” as a domestic hybrid breed: “A breed developed from an existing cross between two existing domestic breeds, incorporating characteristics of both parent breeds into the new breed.” The Minuet would not be a Munchkin nor a Persian, but that fact made the road no less rocky. Lastly, the Minuet’s original name, Napoleon, was never met with full acceptance. This issue persisted until 2015, when TICA voted to change its name to Minuet. Despite these controversies and many setbacks, the breed and its breeders persevered. In addition to the invaluable guidance of Deb Kenny, Joe was also fortunate to have the help of two very important women in the TICA family: Solveig Pflueger and Gloria Stephens. Solveig was, among many things, the genetics chair of TICA. She explained, guided, and often provided support as the Minuet navigated the difficult path to full registration status. Gloria, the TICA judge and author of many best-selling books on cats, provided expert assistance in drafting the first breed standard (a detailed description of the breed's attributes). In 2006, Joe was able to close his cattery as breeders were springing up all over the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. Everyone soon realized that the Minuet's greatest asset was the Minuet itself, and its popularity skyrocketed. Finally, on January 23, 2016, at the TICA annual meeting, after an excellent presentation by then-Breed President Samantha McConnell and Minuet breeder Lynn Helke (assisted by Lynn's adorable cat Lil-Darlynn All That Glitters), the TICA Board of Directors UNANIMOUSLY voted to promote the Minuet to full championship status. We are truly grateful to TICA for this honor, crowning a long but valuable journey.

The Minuet is a charming, extremely affectionate, and people-oriented cat. They have the gentleness of the Persian and the energy and curiosity of the Munchkin. Their large eyes and sweet faces give them an appearance of complete innocence, while their curiosity can get them into all sorts of trouble! Although calm, they are also quite inquisitive when it comes to activity and can squeeze into the tightest corners at breakneck speed, their low center of gravity definitely coming into play.

In appearance, the first thing you'll notice is the sweet face and then the short legs. Although derived from the Persian and the Munchkin, the Minuet is a distinct breed with its own unique look. If a single word were used to describe the Minuet, that word would be "round." The head is generally round, with large, round eyes, topped by small ears with rounded tips. Round cheeks. The muzzle and nose are short, merging into the forehead with a slight slope when viewed in profile. All of which combine to present the very sweet, innocent look of the breed. Although small in stature, it is by no means a "miniature" cat. The Minuet's bone structure should be significant, and its body robust and substantial. The Minuet's coat, while not as massive as a Persian's can be, is abundant and dense in both long and short hairs. Although not demanding in its upkeep, the Minuet's coat responds well to daily brushing, an activity much enjoyed by the Minuet and which, if performed diligently, should not take more than a few minutes. In essence, the Minuet is a beloved cat with a beloved personality.

The Napoleon Minuet cat has very few health problems. Due to the incorporation of Persian cat blood, Napoleon Minuet breeding cats that test negative for PKD should be used.

They are a strong, medium-sized cat – and their low-set bodies reflect this. Like the Minuet, they use their short-legged bodies with great authority. Roundness also plays a role in the overall body structure – they have a semi-hooked body that gives a rounded feel, and the overlapping musculature emphasizes this same curvature. These robust cats have a solid, strong bone structure and excellent musculature kept in shape by their active nature, which makes them run around the house and climb up and down stairs.

Thus, among the most specific characteristics, the following stand out: