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Tonkinese Cats

Golden Siamese, Tonk (nickname)

Family: FelidaeFelis domesticusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Justin Brough

The Tonkinese are lively but gentle creatures that they fit very well into families with children!

Tonkinese Cats are a loving, friendly, active breed, known for possessing only the best features of its relatives. This is a hybrid cat breed developed from the Siamese and Burmese breeds. The Tonkinese was created as a new breed in the United States in the 1950's. Tonkinese enthusiasts claim that this breed has the best features of these two breeds, but none of the unfavorable features.

The fur of the Tonkinese is wonderful, being both silky and shiny. The coat has a darker base color than the traditional Siamese, but with the dark points. Overall it is very similar to the original Burmese. The coat is also short and lies flat on the body, which means they require minimal grooming. In the United States the names of the color varieties with this lustrous coat are followed with the term "mink", though in Britain they are just given the traditional color names.

The Tonkinese cats have a muscular body form, but medium in size and length. Its legs are long and muscular with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front. The head of this hybrid is longer than it is wide, which is not quite like either of its forebearers. It is wider than that of the Siamese, yet narrower than the Burmese. The head is a slightly rounded wedge-shape with slanted cheekbones, almond shaped eyes, and wide-set ears with rounded tips.

This breed is especially active and playful, and it is also curious and intelligent. The Tonkinese is a great family breed as it is quite affectionate and gentle. It enjoys socializing with adults, children, and other animals. It dislikes being alone and solitude, but does not become as attached to one person as the Siamese. Like the Burmese and Siamese, the Tonkinese has a loud, distinctive voice. Tonkinese Cats are popular in the U.S., but rare in Europe and Australia.

For information about keeping a pet cat, see:
Cat Care: How to Take Care of a Cat

Background The Tonkinese Cats are essentially a hybrid breed developed between the Siamese Cat, which is a natural cat breed, and the Burmese, which is another hybrid cat breed. This cat breed was first intentionally bred in the United States in the 1950's by Milan Greer, an American feline expert. He crossed a male Burmese with a female Chocolate-point Siamese and called the resulting breed the Golden Siamese.

When Greer passed on the breeding project to Edith Lux, she changed the name to Tonkinese. The breed is named after the Gulf of Tonkin, which is close to Burmese and Siamese (Thai) territories, but does not belong to either, just like the Tonkinese breed. Common names for this cat breed include Tonkinese, Golden Siamese, and Tonk (a nickname).

In the 1960's, Margaret Conroy, a Canadian breeder, registered the Tonkinese in its first cat club, the Canadian Cat Association. In 1978 it was recognized by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), and by the 1990's, it was recognized by all North American cat societies. By 1991 it was recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in Britain. However, it is still not recognized by all associations in Europe as a true breed.

Description The Tonkinese is a muscular, medium-sized cat. Its body is neither long, nor cobby, but of medium length. The head is wider than that of the Siamese, but narrower than the Burmese'. It is a slightly rounded wedge, which is longer than it is wide. The ears are medium-sized with rounded tips. The eyes are almond shaped and slanted along the cheekbones. The legs are muscular and the hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs. The Tonkinese weighs approximately 6 to 12 pounds, and it has a long life expectancy of 15 or more years.

Their coat is short, silky and glossy. It has dark points, like the Siamese, but the base color is darker than the traditional Siamese. It is close to the original Burmese color. The color varieties are called "Mink" in the U.S., and correspond with the traditional Siamese colors. They are Natural Mink, Champagne Mink, Blue Mink, Platinum Mink, and Honey Mink. In Britain, traditional color names are given, such as Brown, Blue, Chocolate Tortie, and Lilac Tabby.

Care and Feeding The Tonkinese requires no special diet. Like the Siamese, this cat breed is not prone to becoming overweight.

Housing Your Cat The Tonikinese is an active breed that needs room to run and play. Indoors it should be allowed to run throughout the apartment or house, and be offered a variety of toys along with a scratching post. It enjoys being outside, but is known for running away, so care should be taken when letting it out of the house.

Maintenance This breed needs minimal grooming. Weekly brushing is recommended.

Social Behaviors The Tonkinese is a sociable breed that enjoys being around people, other cats, and even dogs. It is gentle and affectionate, but not too docile, which makes it a good breed for families with children. It craves attention and affection, but is less demanding than the Siamese. It is also less prone to attaching itself to one person than its Siamese counterpart.

Activities This is an active cat that needs a place to exercise so provide ample room for it to romp around. It should be provided with a scratching post and toys inside to keep it occupied. It is generally not a destructive cat unless it is isolated away from other household companions for too long a time, or becomes bored.

Breeding/Reproduction The average sized litter contains 6 kittens. A Burmese crossed with a Siamese will produce a full litter of first generation Tonkinese kittens.

Though they exhibit a wide variety of coat colors and patterns there are three main patterns; mink, solid and pointed.with the mink pattern considered the most desirable for showing. When breeding two mink pattern Tonkinese together however, they will not usually produce only mink pattern kittens. Usually it will result in one solid pattern kitten, one pointed pattern kitten, and two mink pattern kittens. Conversely, mating a pointed pattern Tonkinese to a solid pattern Tonkinese will result in all mink pattern kittens. These facts are why some cat associations do not recognize the Tonkinese as a true breed.

Common Health Problems This is a generally hardy breed, but Tonkinese kittens are susceptible to respiratory disease.

Availability Tonkinese breeders are less prevalent than Siamese and Burmese breeders, but this breed is still readily accessible on the internet or from local breeders. The price for Tonkinese cats ranges from $400 to $700.

References

• See Animal-World References: Cat Breeds - Exotic Cats
• Bruce Fogle, CATolog, DK ADULT, 2002.
• Mordecai Siegal, Simon & Schuster's Guide To Cats , Simon & Schuster, 1983
• Hybrid Law, Hybridlaw.com
• Kurt Schmitt, Hybrid Cat Breeds, Cat Lovers Only, Copyright 2004 - 2011
  
• The Hybrid Cat Breeds of the World, Cat Breeds, Copyright 2009 - 2011

Author: Ruth Bratcher

Lastest Comments on Tonkinese Cats View all 6 comments on Tonkinese Cats Add Your Comment

Susan Moore - 2007-10-08 We love ours. He is so playful and very smart. He is like a person. He does sound like an elephant running through the house and swings like a monkey! I would have a 100 of them if I could. Love this breed. He likes to pretend he's a dog by copying our dog. Lays down right beside our dog and tries to lay in the same positions. When the dog hears someone at the door, she barks and they both go running to the door to greet whom ever is there. Our Tonk tries to play with our dog but the dog is too old to get into it. He will play with our friends dogs. He loves to run around and make his cute little noise when he is playing. Other than that, he is very quiet. He is very lovingly. He is our baby! Miranda Haley - 2012-02-17 I wish I could have a cat like that... :( but my sister is allergic to animal hair, and my mom is only allergic to some animal hair but they won't get a cat, not even a kitten and I love cats and especially cats that love dogs. Well, I hope your cat will have fun with the dog. And I might even become a vet assistance if I study harder. But I got a long ways to go because I'm only a sophomore. Reply

Miranda Haley - 2012-02-23 I LOVE ALL CATS!!!! Reply

Pauline Lindley - 2011-08-24 I have a Tonkinese cat who is 14 years old but still thinks she's a kitten. She answers me when I speak to her, knows the word "no" and purrs loudly when I praise her. Sadly, now, she has slowed down quite a lot, and her back lags aren't as strong as they were. She has always been a House cat , only going into the garden when a member of the family is out there and follows us around. When I go into the bathroom, she sits outside the door until I come out and runs to greet me every day when I return from work. She is the most loving cat I have ever known and will sit for hours on my lap being cuddled and stroked. I would recommentd this breed to anyone who loves cats susan paulsen - 2012-01-14 Hello Pauline, I love your comment about your cat. I have always wanted a tonkinese cat! I first saw one years ago in San Luis Obispo, Ca. The cat was walking with its owner and stopped at the curb as owner told it to and wouldn't cross the street until give permission to. So intelligent. Beautiful. My cat is a DSH tiger and loving, sits on my lap, is happy to see me when I return from work. I think a tonkinese would be a great companion for Tiger who is gentle and sweet. Can you direct me to a breeder in Dallas/FortWorth area. Susan Reply

linda - 2010-08-24 I have had 2 siamese one 18yrs, one 17yrs. I now have lilly, a tonkinese, she was 2 yrs when I got her. This is the most wonderful cat I have ever had or seen, she is so gentle, loving, funny, follows me like a dog, sleeps against me,comes when I call her name, would highly recommend the tonkinese to any cat lover! Dale and Janet - 2010-11-23 I got my first Natural Mink Tonkinese, Cheesecake in 1985 -he was bred from a Sable Burmese mother and a Seal Point Siamese father - Cheesecake was 17 years old when he got lympho sarcoma-cancer - it broke our hearts but we had already fallen in love with Tonks - we also had Sasafrass Marie at the same time - she was a Seal Point Siamese girl that lived until she was 19 years old - we lost her to heart and kidney failure. Again ours hearts broke. We now have two Tonks - Charlie is a Champagne Mink 8 year old sweetest kitty boy with the kindest heart and soul we have ever known. Oliver is a Blue Point 3 year old very active and loving kitty boy. Both are very athletic and extremely smart and always polite to everyone including the vets. We wouldn't be without our kitties whether they be Siamese or Tonkinese - you just can't beat them! Sharon Fox - 2011-06-16 We have a blue point Tonkinese called Oscar, he is only 9 months old and is the best cat we have ever had. He is so affectionate and loves lots of cuddles. At night we carry him up like a baby and he settles into sleep with my children taking it in turns which one he will sleep with and there he stays until the morning. When he is hungry he is very vocal and he does eat alot ! He is just so adorable. Stan Scheider - 2011-06-19 I am a resident of Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa and live with two female Tonks and a wife, affectionately known as "the three blonde bitches", who are all amazingly adorable. The older Tonk, Lulu (Talulah) a solid lilac is 6 years old, a bit skittish and shy, who loves as much human attention as she can get. She grew up with a Bengal, who has since passed on due to kidney failure, and both grew up in our garden where they learnt to climb the highest trees, catch birds, guinea fowl, moles, rats, mice, chameleon's and any other insect that moved. The only problem is that their catches were brought into the house either as gifts or to be ripped apart which eventually required many carpets to be replaced. The younger s a 2 year old caramel named Kapri, full of mischief, gets constantly locked into a wardrobe or cupboard and is the most affectionate animal we have ever owned. I've never seen her climb a tree nor catch prey, and basically spends her time indoors unless we are outside. She's also the official greeter to any visitor and in fact friends often come to visit and cuddle her. Thankfully we have king size bed so there is space under the duvet for all of us at night especially during the cold winter months. If you haven't owned a Tonkinese you haven't lived with a cat yet! Reply

John Green Cabbo Cattery - 2010-11-19 Hi everyone I am a Tonkinese breeder in Toowoomba, Australia check out my website www.cabbo.net we have pics and information on Tonkinese. Reply

Julie - 2008-01-14 A Siamese and Burmese mated together produce First generation Tonkinese. Two first generation Tonkinese cats mated together will produce all second generation Tonkinese. Also, Toninese cats do not need to go outside. They are fine inside. Reply

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