Appearance

The Tonkinese is an obvious blend of its parent breeds. Less angular in conformation than the Siamese and lighter in colour than the Burmese, the Tonkinese however remains a distinctive oriental. The eyes, an attractive aqua colour, are the result of a combination of the Siamese blue and Burmese gold. Tonkinese have a wider head than Siamese but less so than the Burmese and the body is medium and muscular. The coat, a distinguishing feature of the breed, is classified as mink. It is soft, medium-short in length and close lying. The coat contrast is more subtle than the Siamese, with solid colour paling around the belly and chest. In Australia there are five predominant coat varieties;

• Natural mink: a warm brown coat with dark chocolate points.
• Blue mink: a bluish grey coat with slate blue markings.
• Honey mink: ruddy brown coat with chocolate markings.
• Champagne mink: a warm beige coat and pale brown markings.
• Platinum mink: soft silver and pewter grey.

Spots, tortoise shell and red minks are other variations in the coat however they are not recognised by some state cat councils.

Temperament

True to the oriental breed, the Tonkinese is elegant, affectionate, curious and intelligent whilst displaying what breeders call a ‘cheeky’ attitude. Full of life and happy to receive attention, the Tonkinese loves companionship and is not nearly as aloof as some breeds. Like most orientals, the Tonkinese is a talkative animal, mewing for attention if it feels it is being ignored. Feeding and health

As with all felines, a balanced diet is important. There are no specific health concerns for this breed, however gingivitis – a problem common to cats, may develop. Incorporating chewy foodstuffs (such as raw chicken necks) will help keep teeth and gums clean. A yearly visit to the veterinarian is also recommended.

As the Tonkinese is a product of two separate breeds, they show improved hybrid vigour. Tonkinese are less likely to suffer any genetically related conditions which may be associated with their parent breeds. Influence of this hybrid vigour will become less apparent as pure Tonkinese continue to be bred.

Breeding and lifespan

Second cross Tonkinese litters (the progeny of first generation Tonkinese) may yield only 50 per cent Tonkinese types with a possible 25 per cent each of Burmese and Siamese looking kittens. Commonly known as ‘throw backs’, these irregularities are the result of the strong influence exhibited by the genetically similar foundation breeds. It is argued by some breed societies that this is good reason for the Tonkinese not to be recognised as a breed in its own right, as a true type may not be relied upon in more than 50 per cent of offspring. Regardless of its appearance, the Tonkinese is still a robust cat, and could remain a member of the family for up to 15 years.

References

1. Burke’s backyard