Tonk Info
General
I have been a cat lover and breeder for years, but ever since I met the "Tonk" I have been in love with the breed's amazingly loving personality and intelligence.
The Tonkinese is a recent cross between the sharper faced and more elegant Siamese and the rounder and heavier Burmese. They share both breeds' best features, and they're healthier too since they're a mixed breed. This new breed has it all: fantastic temperament, beautiful features, intelligence and health.
They come in three different colour patterns. One of the recognized colour patterns is the colour point, which has a contrasting colour of body fur in comparison to its darker points (like the Siamese). The other two recognized patterns are mink and solid, though the solid isn’t always completely solid but rather less contrasting in colour than the previous two patterns. They come in platinum, blue, natural, and champagne.
Tonks are a medium sized breed, but their weight will surprise you because they are muscular and quite heavy for their size. Their coat is short, thick, and very soft. They have a slightly wedge shaped head and large, open almond shaped eyes. This is the only aqua-eyed cat breed! Their look reminds people of the apple head (or traditional) Siamese.​
Personality
​Source: Tonkinese Breed FAQ, by Linda Martino linda@rhythm.com.
​
As pretty as Tonkinese are, their personality is even better. A whole
book could be written on the Tonkinese personality. Tonks are
sociable, fun loving, involved cats. They are dog cats in that they
are people oriented like a dog with the convenience of a cat.​
They combine the intelligence and curiosity of the Siamese with the more laid
back personality of the Burmese. If you want a couch potato cat known
for its independence this is NOT the cat for you. They do have a
strong personality and can be stubborn, but they are so lovable it's
hard to get angry with them. Although active and muscular they are not
high strung and are very happy cats.
Tonks are very social. They like people, other cats, children, and
dogs. They do not like living alone without attention. Frequently
people have two so they can entertain each other when you're at work. They
bond easily so they adjust well to new owners. They adjust well to
living inside as they love people. If left to roam outside, they may
be stolen or contract a health problem.
They usually play fetch and will jump onto your shoulder. Tonks love physical attention and usually like to be picked up, ride along on your shoulders and constantly claim you lap. They hate closed doors and want to know everything that goes on. There truly is no other breed like them!
Health​
​​
Special Medical Concerns
Tonks are a hardy breed that require very little maintenance beyond a good, healthy diet. There are no major breed-specific illnesses or no known common genetic problems. Like the Siamese, special care should be paid to their teeth to avoid dental problems like gingivitis. They are also sensitive to anesthesia, therefore extra care should be taken by your vet when anesthesia is used. As kittens they sometimes get upper respiratory infections (colds), but these are not usually serious.
Grooming
The short thick coat does not require much maintenance. Their coat is sleek and soft but an occasional grooming will be greatly appreciated as they usually enjoy it as part of their human interaction.
Care
Pedigree cats should preferably not roam around outside unattended. Tonks are so people oriented that they will be perfectly content indoors, especially if raised as an indoor cat from a young age. They should not be left alone for long periods of time, since they will get lonelier faster due to their dependant personalities. It is therefore advisable to take a second pet to keep it company if the owner is out at work all day.
A scratching pole, clean litter boxes and quality foods are also of great importance. I deem it important that all new owners follow the advice of their breeders to ensure that the cat has a healthy, happy and safe life.
​
Tonkinese Cat History
​​
The Tonkinese is a Siamese-Burmese cross. Although it was first recognized by the Canadian Cat Association in 1971, Tonkinese cats have actually been around for quite some time.
The first known depiction of a Tonkinese cat occurs in The Cat-Book Poems of Siam, written in Ayudha, Siam (now Thailand) sometime between 1358-1767. Tonkinese cats were imported to England during the 19th century as "Chocolate Siamese," and in 1930, the first Tonkinese was brought to North America from Myanmar by Dr. Joseph Thompson.
The Tonkinese breed was officially established in Canada by breeder Margaret Conroy, who crossed a seal point Siamese and a Burmese to produce kittens with light brown fur and aqua eyes. The breed was at first called the Golden Siamese, but in 1971 was renamed the Tonkinese, supposedly for the Tonkin Lowland (the cradle of Vietnamese civilization), despite the fact that the breed did not originate in that region.
​
Colour Spectrum
​​
Patterns include:
Solid (aka Sepia) deep, uniform body colour; subtle or nonexistent points; eyes range from green to gold
Mink – coat is a lighter version of the point markings on the face, ears, paws, and tail; aqua eyes
Pointed – light body colour presents a sharp contrast to the much deeper point colour; blue eyes
Alongside these 3 main subdivisions, Tabby and Tortie markings regularly occur and give the breed an even more unique look.
The 4 most common Tonkinese coat colours are:
Blue – off-white or soft blue-gray with slate blue points, or solid slate blue
Champagne – (aka Chocolate) ivory, buff-cream, beige, golden tan, or light coffee brown with medium brown points
Natural – (aka Brown) fawn, cream, or medium brown with dark sable brown points, or sable solid
Platinum – (aka Lilac) pearly white or pale silvery gray with warm overtones and frosty gray points, or solid dove gray
There are other Tonkinese colours such as cinnamon, cream, fawn, and red.
Like all cats with point markings, Tonkinese kittens are born with solid, off-white coats and their points come in over time in response to environmental temperature. In warmer climates, Tonkinese cats develop lighter, more subtle points, whereas colder climates produce darker points.
​
Fun Facts
​​
Breed statistics about Tonks, Burmese and Siamese:
(Tonkinese=Burmese + Siamese)
The Burmese gives the most amount of kittens (record at 19) and is one of the most doglike cats. The Siamese tends to live the longest and according to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest living cat is a 33 year old Burmese born on March 11th, 1977. So the Tonkanese definitely has good genes.
Moreover, the Tonkinese, Siamese and Burmese are listed among the most sociable, affectionate and intelligent breeds. The Tonkinese is inclined to get along very well with other pets and children. Both the Siamese and the Burmese are listed as major lapcats. Finally, none of the 3 breeds are listed among the "quiet, undemanding breeds".