Origin
Canada / United States
Lifespan
15–18 years
Weight
3–5 kg
Group
Shorthair
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Natural Mink · Champagne Mink · Blue Mink · Platinum Mink
Tonkinese
About This Breed
The Tonkinese is a domestic cat breed produced by crossbreeding between the Siamese and Burmese. They show a mix of traits from both parent breeds: the sociability and vocal nature of the Siamese, and the gentle, quiet nature of the Burmese. Tonkinese come in three patterns: pointed, mink, and solid. The mink pattern is unique to the breed, with a coat somewhere between the pointed Siamese and the solid Burmese. They are very people-oriented cats.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Tonkinese
Origin
| Origin | Canada / United States |
| Group | Shorthair |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–5 kg |
| Lifespan | 15–18 years |
| Colors & Patterns | Natural Mink · Champagne Mink · Blue Mink · Platinum Mink |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Social · Playful · Intelligent · Active · Affectionate |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Usually sheds relatively little. Low shedding does not mean an animal cannot cause allergies.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Often gets along with children, but an adult should still supervise their time together.
Often gets along with other pets. Introduce them gradually rather than assuming they will be friends.
Health and lifespan
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
Offer places to climb, hide, scratch, and rest. Try different toys to see what your cat enjoys.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
About the Breed
If ever a cat breed could be called a “happy medium,” that breed would certainly be the Tonkinese. Developed from both Siamese and Burmese in order to create the perfect midpoint between those two breeds, the Tonkinese has been established as a unique breed on its own for over 30 years now. While Tonks draw on the characteristics of their parent breeds, years of selective breeding have created a charming, medium-size companion with a personality and look that is all its own. Once shown only in the “mink” pattern, which blends darker point coloration very gradually into a lighter body color, they are now recognized in solid and pointed patterns as well. With each pattern possible in four different colors, it adds up to a wealth of choices for prospective owners.
Breed History
Most Tonkinese are descended from one cat, Wong Mau, also the foundation of the Burmese breed. A small, compact walnut brown female with darker areas on her head, legs, and tail, Wong Mau was brought to America in 1930. She was eventually determined to be a natural mink Tonkinese. Bred to Siamese, she produced three distinctly different types of kittens, some who resembled her, some with Siamese markings, and some in solid brown. The solid brown kittens became the foundation of the Burmese breed, while those that resembled Wong Mau were used to produce more Tonkinese. The breed first achieved recognition in Canada, in 1960, but it took a concerted effort by breeders on both sides of the border before Tonkinese were accepted for CFA registration in 1982. Mink-patterned cats were accepted for championship competition in 1984 but it was not until 2002 that the pointed and solid colors were able to join them.
Character & Temperament
Intelligent, gregarious and generally quite outgoing, Tonkinese operate on the principle that we were put on this earth to love them and cater to them. Therefore, it is quite natural for them to take possession of your lap or shoulder and supervise your every activity. They have excellent memories and quickly learn what you don’t want them to do (although in Tonk-think, the word “no” means “okay to do when Mom’s at work!”) They are very sensitive to their owners’ moods and may appear with a comforting purr when you’ve had a bad day. Enthusiastic owners have described Tonkinese as part puppy, part monkey, and part elephant (the latter referring to a tendency to run through the house at a noisy gallop). They get along well with dogs, other pets, children, and guests and will greet visitors at the door to welcome them. They do vocalize, not just with meows and purrs, but in complete sentences that require a prompt response. Fortunately, it is usually very clear what they are trying to communicate.
Physical Appearance
Structurally, the Tonk is a medium cat, neither cobby like the Burmese nor svelte like the Siamese. The dense, muscular body should feel surprisingly heavy when lifted. The modified-wedge head is slightly longer than it is wide; it has gently planed cheekbones and a rounded muzzle with a slight whisker break. The broad-based ears have oval tips and are set as much on the sides as on the top of the head. The open almond shape of a Tonk’s eyes captivate you with rich color; in mink-patterned cats, the eyes will be a beautiful shade of aqua, while solid cats have green eyes and pointed cats have blue eyes.
Grooming
These cats tend to be seasonal rather than year-round shedders. Nevertheless, grooming with a rubber brush two or three times a month will keep shedding to a minimum, condition the silky coat, and provide a bonding experience for you and your cat. Use the flat side of the rubber brush to accentuate the sheen of the coat, or use a soft chamois for the same purpose. Bathing is rarely needed unless the cat is being shown.
Life at home
Because of their background, Tonkinese are genetically diverse and tend to be robust, healthy cats. Breeders generally share health and genetic testing information and remove cats with issues from breeding programs. The only breed-specific health concern is a tendency towards gingivitis in older cats; however, it may be possible to prevent this by getting your Tonk accustomed to having its teeth brushed while young. Regular checkups for senior Tonkinese should be carried out diligently to address any dental issues.
Breed Overview
Often called Tonks, the Tonkinese is a charming cross between Siamese and Burmese cats. While personalities vary, Tonkinese are typically loved for their even temperament—they’re just as eager to play as they are to snuggle up for a nap. “Tonkinese are of a medium activity level; they really just want to be with you,” says Lynn Jordan, a Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) and The International Cat Association (TICA)-registered Tonkinese breeder and a nationally recognized Tonkinese exhibitor. Tonkinese cats are medium in size, with females typically weighing 7–9 pounds and males 8–12 pounds.
Care Guide
Picture a cat with a rounded head and ears that sit lower than most, as much on the sides as on the top—that's the Tonk! Unlike today’s long and slinky wedge-head Siamese, Tonkinese resemble the classic apple-head Siamese, Jordan says. As for their coat, Tonks can come in three coat patterns: pointed, mink, and sepia. Their coat is best known for its silky texture and eye-catching sheen. Plus, it’s low-shedding. A weekly brushing keeps fur in check. A mix of Siamese and Burmese means inheriting a streak of curiosity, sharp intelligence, and a tendency for the zoomies. “A single Tonk kitten left alone for long periods can get bored and into trouble,” Jordan says. For busier households, a calmer adult Tonkinese may be the perfect fit.