Tonkinese

Tonkinese are social, affectionate, and playful cats with a wonderful balance between the Siamese's vocal intensity and the Burmese's relaxed calm. They are people-oriented and love being involved in family activities, but they are less demanding and less vocal than Siamese. Their voices are softer and more melodious. They are intelligent and playful, enjoying interactive games, fetch, and even leash walks. They are excellent with children and other pets, greeting strangers with friendly curiosity rather than suspicion. They thrive on companionship and do not do well when left alone for long periods — a second Tonkinese or similar social breed is recommended. They have a mischievous streak and are known for inventing games to amuse themselves and their humans.

The Tonkinese is a medium-sized cat with a body type that falls between the svelte Siamese and the compact Burmese — muscular and deceptively heavy but with elegant lines. The head is a modified wedge with gentle contours, high cheekbones, and a blunt muzzle. Medium-sized ears are broad at the base with slightly rounded tips. The large, open, almond-shaped eyes are one of the breed's most distinctive features — the mink pattern produces the characteristic aqua eye color, though pointed and solid patterns display blue and gold/green eyes respectively. The coat is medium-short, silky, and close-lying with a beautiful sheen. Three coat patterns are recognized: pointed (like Siamese), mink (intermediate), and solid (like Burmese).

While Siamese-Burmese crosses have existed for centuries in Southeast Asia, the deliberate development of the Tonkinese as a breed began in the 1960s. Canadian breeder Margaret Conroy crossed Siamese with Burmese to create a cat with a moderate body type and a unique mink coat pattern. American breeder Jane Barletta was independently working toward the same goal. The breed was originally called "Golden Siamese" and later renamed Tonkinese, referring to the Gulf of Tonkin, suggesting an origin between the homelands of the Siamese and Burmese. CFA recognized the breed for Championship in 1984, and TICA followed suit. Interestingly, Wong Mau — the foundation cat of the Burmese breed brought to the US in 1930 — was likely a natural Tonkinese.

Tonkinese inherit health predispositions from both parent breeds. Gingivitis is common and requires proactive dental care including regular brushing and professional cleanings. Amyloidosis, inherited from the Siamese line, can affect the liver and kidneys — watch for symptoms like decreased appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. HCM screening through regular cardiac ultrasound is recommended. IBD may cause chronic vomiting or diarrhea and benefits from dietary management. Mild esotropia (convergent strabismus) occasionally occurs but rarely causes functional problems. Overall, Tonkinese are considered a healthy, long-lived breed with an average lifespan of 15-20 years.

The silky, close-lying coat is very easy to maintain — a weekly brushing or rubdown with a chamois cloth keeps it in beautiful condition. Feed a high-quality diet and monitor portions, as they can gain weight with age. Provide plenty of interactive toys and play sessions, as they are moderately active and love games. Dental hygiene is particularly important — start tooth brushing early and schedule regular dental checkups. They are social butterflies who need companionship, so consider a second cat if the family is away during the day. Their friendly nature with strangers means they should be indoor-only cats, as they lack wariness of potential dangers.