Tonkinese

Most Tonkinese descend from one cat, Wong Mau, who was also the foundation of the Burmese breed ^[1]. A small walnut-brown female with darker head, legs and tail, she was brought to America in 1930 and was eventually determined to be a natural mink Tonkinese ^[1]. Bred to Siamese, she produced three types of kitten: some like her, some Siamese-marked and some solid brown. The solid browns founded the Burmese, while those resembling Wong Mau were used to produce more Tonkinese ^[1]. TICA adds that in the 1960s Jane Barletta in the US and Margaret Conroy in Canada worked together to develop a breed midway between the two ^[2]. The breed was first recognised in Canada in 1960; CFA accepted it for registration in 1982, mink cats for championship in 1984, and pointed and solid cats in 2002 ^[1].

• Body: medium, neither cobby like the Burmese nor svelte like the Siamese; dense, muscular and surprisingly heavy ^[1].
• Head: a modified wedge, slightly longer than wide, with a rounded muzzle; ears set as much on the sides as on top ^[1].
• Eyes: open almond-shaped: aqua in minks, green in solids, blue in pointeds ^[1].
• Patterns: mink (darker points blending gradually into the body) is the pattern most associated with the breed; solid and pointed are also accepted ^[1][2].
• Coat: short, close-lying and silky ^[1][2].

Intelligent, gregarious and outgoing, Tonks assume we exist to love and cater to them, so expect a cat on your lap or shoulder supervising everything ^[1]. They have excellent memories and quickly learn what you don't want them to do (and do it while you're out) ^[1]. They're sensitive to moods and may appear with a comforting purr after a bad day ^[1]. They get on with dogs, other pets, children and guests, often greeting visitors at the door ^[1]. They're talkative ^[1], though TICA says less so than a Siamese ^[2], and they don't like being left alone ^[2].

• Coat: seasonal shedders; a rubber brush two or three times a month, baths rarely needed ^[1].
• Teeth: start tooth-brushing in kittenhood and keep up dental checks in older cats ^[1].
• Weight: a balanced diet and exercise to prevent obesity ^[2].
• Company: consider a second cat if you're often away ^[2].

• Gingivitis in older cats: CFA's only breed-specific concern ^[1].
• Other conditions TICA lists: dental disease, FLUTD, inflammatory bowel disease and amyloidosis ^[2].
• Genetic background: CFA says their mixed heritage makes Tonkinese genetically diverse and generally robust ^[1].
• Lifespan: TICA estimates 12–16+ years ^[2] and GCCF 15+ years ^[3]. These are registry estimates; we found no breed-specific study.

This is general information; talk to your vet about any specific concern.

Don't confuse with…

• Burmese: a parent breed, cobbier, solid-coloured and gold-eyed ^[4].
• Siamese: the other parent breed, svelte and blue-eyed ^[5].

• Wong Mau, the "first Burmese", was really a Tonkinese ^[1].
• Tonkinese eye colour follows coat pattern ^[1].
• Owners call them part puppy, part monkey, part elephant ^[1].