Tonkinese
The Tonkinese is a hybrid breed deliberately developed in the 1960s in Canada by crossing Siamese and Burmese cats — producing a cat that combines the sociability and energy of both parent breeds in a more moderate, middle-of-the-road body type.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Canada
Lifespan
14–18 years
Weight
3.5–5.5 kg (8–12 lbs)
Height
20–30 cm (8–12 in)
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food. Active breed with good appetite — monitor weight.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Tonkinese is a hybrid breed deliberately developed in the 1960s in Canada by crossing Siamese and Burmese cats — producing a cat that combines the sociability and energy of both parent breeds in a more moderate, middle-of-the-road body type. The breed exists in three coat patterns (mink, colourpoint, and solid) and has the characteristic aqua or turquoise eye colour in the mink variety — a colour not found in any other breed. The Tonkinese is often called the "best of both worlds" — less extreme than the Siamese and less compact than the Burmese.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Tonkinese is a medium-sized cat of moderate foreign type — between the elongated Siamese and the cobby Burmese. The head is a modified wedge with high cheekbones. The coat is short, silky, and has a distinctive mink pattern — the body colour and point colour are less contrasted than in a Siamese, creating a rich blended effect. The characteristic eye colour in the mink variety is aqua or turquoise — unique to the breed.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Tonkinese are highly social, playful, and vocal — they combine the Siamese's intelligence and vocalisation with the Burmese's affectionate nature. They are excellent with children and other pets. They are curious and active. They should not be left alone for long periods — they do best in pairs or active households.
Living Profile
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming — weekly brushing sufficient. Social needs are high — pairs recommended. Interactive toys and daily play important.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Health Overview
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Amyloidosis (from Siamese ancestry). Dental disease. Generally a healthy, long-lived breed benefiting from hybrid vigour between its two parent breeds.
Common Conditions
Fun Facts
The Tonkinese's mink variety has a unique aqua or turquoise eye colour — a colour genetically intermediate between the blue eyes of the Siamese and the gold/yellow eyes of the Burmese, not found in any other cat breed.
Tonkinese litters predictably contain kittens of three coat patterns: mink (from one Siamese gene and one Burmese gene), colourpoint (from two Siamese genes), and solid (from two Burmese genes) — in roughly 2:1:1 ratios.
The breed was originally called the "Golden Siamese" when first developed in the 1950s by Margaret Conroy in Canada — the name Tonkinese was chosen partly to avoid confusion with the Siamese and partly as a playful reference to the Gulf of Tonkin (between Vietnam and China).
