Napoleon

The Napoleon is a small companion cat that was developed in the United States. Many circles now know it under its newer name, the Minuet. The breed brings together the short legs linked to the Munchkin and the round head, large eyes, and sweet expression of the Persian and Exotic group.

Most Napoleons are gentle and fond of people. They tend to keep close to their owners, take an interest in whatever the household is doing, and settle in easily in a quiet home. In spite of the short legs, they move well, climb to low and medium heights, and enjoy quick bursts of play.

The breed carries two leg lengths. Standard Napoleons have short legs, while non-standard cats have longer legs of a more usual length. Both types share the same head shape, body proportions, and friendly nature.

Who it suits

The Napoleon suits owners who want a calm, affectionate cat that enjoys company and does not demand constant high activity. It does well in flats and houses alike, since its exercise needs are moderate. Households should be ready for regular coat care and for keeping climbing and jumping within sensible limits for a short-legged cat.

The Napoleon was developed in the United States in the mid 1990s. The breeding programme set out to bring together the short legs of the Munchkin and the rounded head and sweet face of the Persian and Exotic Shorthair.

The first aim was a small, gentle cat with a doll-like look but a sturdier body and fewer of the extreme features sometimes seen in flat-faced breeds. Breeders kept the muzzle moderate rather than fully flattened, which helps with breathing and feeding.

The foundation crosses used Munchkin cats for leg length and Persian-group cats for head type and coat. Because two leg lengths turn up in litters, the breed standard allows both standard short-legged and non-standard longer-legged cats.

The breed was later renamed the Minuet, and both names remain in use. Recognition has grown over the years within several cat associations, though status differs by registry. Local enthusiasts can look to the Southern Africa Cat Council for guidance on emerging breeds. The Napoleon is still counted as a fairly new and uncommon breed.

The Napoleon has a small to medium body with a broad chest and a rounded, well-balanced frame. The head is round with full cheeks, a short to moderate nose, and large, round, well-spaced eyes that give an open and gentle expression. The ears are medium and set so as to keep the rounded outline of the head.

The most telling feature is the leg length. Standard Napoleons have short legs caused by the same gene found in the Munchkin, while non-standard cats have legs of normal length. The tail is in proportion to the body and carried with a slight curve.

Coat and colours

The Napoleon comes in two coat lengths. The shorthair coat is plush and easy to manage, while the longhair coat is soft and fuller and needs more frequent grooming. Both lengths have a dense, even texture. The breed is accepted in a wide range of colours and patterns, including solids, tabby, bicolour, tortoiseshell, and pointed varieties.

The Napoleon has a calm and friendly temperament. It is affectionate without being demanding and tends to seek out company, often resting near its owner or moving from room to room to stay close.

With family members the breed is gentle and tolerant, which makes it a good match for households with children who handle pets with care. Napoleons are usually confident rather than shy with visitors, though some take a short while to warm to strangers.

The breed plays in moderate bursts and enjoys interactive toys and gentle games. Many Napoleons live well alongside other cats and calm dogs when introductions happen gradually. They are not heavy talkers, but they will use a soft voice to ask for attention or food.

Grooming

• Brush shorthair Napoleons once or twice a week to lift loose hair.
• Brush longhair Napoleons several times a week to stop mats and tangles.
• Check and clean the eyes gently, since rounded faces can collect tear staining.
• Trim the nails every two to three weeks.
• Brush the teeth regularly and book dental checks.

Exercise

• Offer short daily play sessions with wand toys and balls.
• Provide low platforms and ramps that suit short legs.
• Use food puzzles to keep the mind busy.
• Keep climbing options at safe, moderate heights.

Environment

The Napoleon is best kept as an indoor cat. A quiet, settled home suits its calm nature. Provide scratching posts, resting spots, and easy access to litter trays and food without large jumps. Short-legged cats can manage stairs and low furniture but do better with steps or ramps to reach higher resting places.

The Napoleon needs a complete and balanced diet formulated for cats, with animal protein as the main ingredient. Because the breed is small and can be prone to weight gain, portions should be measured rather than left out all day. Fresh water should always be on hand, and wet food can help support hydration.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to about 10 percent of daily kilojoules so the main diet stays balanced. A healthy cat on a complete food usually needs no extra supplements. Speak to a vet before adding any supplement, and weigh the cat regularly to catch early weight changes.

The Napoleon is generally a healthy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Because it descends from Persian-type and Munchkin cats, it can carry health risks linked to both lines. Responsible breeders screen parent cats and avoid pairings that would worsen short-leg or flat-face traits.

Preventive care

• Book yearly veterinary checkups, with twice yearly visits for seniors.
• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date.
• Keep up dental care at home and through professional cleaning.
• Watch weight and body condition to avoid joint and spine strain.
• Choose kittens from breeders who screen parents for PKD and heart disease.

The Napoleon is intelligent and willing to take part, which makes basic training achievable. The breed responds best to positive methods and short sessions. Its calm nature means it can learn to accept grooming, nail trims, and carrier handling with patience and consistency.

Basics

1. Set up the litter tray early and keep it clean and easy to enter.
2. Reward use of scratching posts to protect furniture.
3. Introduce the carrier as a calm, familiar resting spot.
4. Practise gentle handling of paws and face for future grooming.
5. Teach simple cues such as come or sit using treats and a clear word.

Napoleons reach sexual maturity at around 6 to 10 months, though responsible breeders wait until cats are fully grown and health-tested before mating. The short-leg gene is dominant and cannot be safely carried in a double dose, so two standard short-legged cats are not bred together. Instead, a standard cat is paired with a non-standard longer-legged cat or an outcross partner.

Gestation lasts about 63 to 67 days. Litters are usually small, often two to four kittens, and include both short-legged and longer-legged kittens. Queens generally raise their young well, but breeders keep a close eye on delivery and early growth because of the breed's small size.

Kittens are weaned at around 8 weeks and usually leave for new homes at 12 to 14 weeks, once they are litter trained, vaccinated, and socialised. Outcrossing to approved breeds helps keep the gene pool healthy in this young breed.

Registering a Napoleon in South Africa

A gate left open for the gardener is all it takes for a homebody Napoleon to go missing. Her free United Pet Club profile keeps your details one scan away, wherever she turns up. Register your cat once, free, and the record outlasts every house move.

If a chip is already under her skin, finish the job by recording the number. Register the microchip on the free lifetime plan: any brand a South African vet implants is accepted, updating after a move between provinces costs nothing, and the record is searchable around the clock. Create your free account and cover cat and chip together.