The Tonkinese is a premix of the Siamese and Burmese cat strain and has a loving , affectionate personality . study more about share your family with a pretty , playful Tonkinese .

The Tonkinese is a mix of theSiameseandBurmese catbreeds and divvy up many qualities with those parent . This striking feline has a charming appearance , with a pointed coating and bright , jewel - tone oculus .

Attentive Tonks were born to be a companion stock . These jackpot love to bet with people and curl up in a warm overlap at the end of the day . They have a circumstances of affection to give their pet parents and make a wonderful , loving improver to many domicile and families .

closeup of a tonkinese tilting his head

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A purebred Tonkinese is comparatively rare , and typically be $ 600–$1,200 from a reputable breeder .

Appearance

The Tonkinese is an eye - catching breed known for their mysterious , glamourous appearance . A pointed coat , svelte limbs , and bright centre all lend to the Tonk ’s tempting air .

Tonkinese is a medium - sized breed with muscular , surprisingly heavy bodies . This breed normally matter somewhere in the 6–12 - hammering kitchen stove . They have intermediate - sized auricle , almond - mould heart , and slim legs and human foot . Their coat are made up of brusk , fine , silky tranquil hair and are low - peeling . But even though their pelt does n’t fly , the Tonkinese isn’tconsidered a hypoallergenic cat — and there ’s reallyno such thing as a hypoallergenic pet , anyway .

According to theTonkinese Breed Association , Tonkinese coats come in four color family : platinum , champagne , natural , and blue . Their coats are further divided into three category of pattern , which are a high - demarcation item radiation diagram , medium - line or " mink coat " figure , and low - contrast or strong pattern . A Tonk ’s middle colouring is related to coat color and pattern . Mink Tonkinese have cobalt blue - hue eyes , point Tonkinese typically have puritanical eyes , and solid Tonkinese cats have green eyes .

closeup of a tonkinese with a dark face

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Temperament

Tonks have a personality fit for companionship . Cold and aloof ? Not these cats ! These honeyed kitties love their role as lick cat and always have fondness to divvy up with their family . The Tonkinese shares his curiosity and intelligence with his Siamese side and affectionate energy with his Burmese ascendant .

" They sure are outgoing and they surely are people cats , " say Marilyn Krieger , certified cat behavior consultantin San Francisco . " They ’re such the great unwashed Arabian tea , and theyshouldn’t be left alone without companyfor 60 minutes and hours on oddment . "

Tonks are playful , wise , and social pets who enjoy pass fourth dimension with their pet parents and supervising day - to - daylight life . This breed isincredibly talkative , and they expect you to heed — and reply ! Some might call this take - charge stock a small flake bossy , but your Tonk ’s warmness is usually in the right lieu .

two tonkinese cats

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These fantastic felines are reasoning and inventive . The Tonkinese is like his Siamese ancestors in his desire to masterinteractive toysandtry new antic . Tonks are active , silly cats with a reputation for jumping high and clowning around to harbor their family .

Living Needs

To put it plainly : Your Tonkinese require tons of attention . If you ’re up for a constant companion who willfollow you from room to way , cuddle up on your shoulder joint , and join your mundane activity , the Tonk is for you . Since these sweetheart need so much time and fondness , they detest to be left alone during the day . In fact , Krieger commend get a pair of Tonkinese so they always have a companion to turn to .

The Tonkinese is a exceedingly smart and social breed that craves fundamental interaction . They ’re more than happy to be the welcome wagon for any client who set down by , and they unfeignedly immerse themselves as a part of a home . A Tonkinese can live well in any distance but , because these are chatty kitties , you might want to believe doubly before bringing home a Tonks to an apartment with share walls .

But take in out — when they get world-weary , these cats can be mischievous . To help keep your kitty engaged and out of trouble , be sure toprovide him with chafe postsand a smorgasbord ofcat toy . Krieger says the active Tonkinese have it off to jump and climb , so he needstall cat treesto scurf , cat shelf to startle onto , anda window hammockwhere he can doze andchatter at shuttlecock .

tonkinese sitting on a sofa

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" They ’re highly active , highly levelheaded cats , " Krieger says . " They ’re not depart to just sit around and just be a slight couch Solanum tuberosum all day . They need poppycock to do ; they need to have interaction with people . "

Tonkinese generallyget along well with children , other cats , andcat - friendly dogs . usher in them to citizenry and pets early to facilitate them feel well-fixed in social situations .

Care

" [ Tonkinese cats are ] known to be very bang-up on groom themselves and require little tending in that department from their proprietor , " saysKurt Venator , DVM , Ph.D. , and primary veterinary ship’s officer at Purina .

These cutecats require only weekly brushingto keep their coat smooth and shiny , andthe rare bathif they ’ve gotten themselves especially messy . You ’ll also require totrim their nail , clean their ears on a regular basis , andkeep their litter box tidy .

These intelligent , athletic cats bed to be stimulated mentally and physically . synergistic toys , cat trees , and other opportunities to leap and play are a great way for your Tonk to get exercise .

white tonkinese kitten crouching

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" You need to verify they have plenty of enrichment , " Krieger allege . " They care games . you may roll treats for them to chase ; if you have high places [ like quat trees ] you may hide treats and food up in these spot for them so they can run around to get it . "

Krieger saysclicker coach your Tonkineseshould be fairly leisurely . This strain is unbelievably intelligent and get laid to instruct but can be a bit independent - minded . Treats and praise can help actuate your Tonk to learn .

Tonks should be fed a diet of high - quality Arabian tea food recommended by your vet . This breedcan become fleshy , so it ’s important to make certain you do n’t overfeed them .

tonkinese wearing a pink harness

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Health

The Tonkinese is a typically goodly breed with an await lifetime of 15–20 years . Some mutual wellness concerns for Tonkinese include gum disease , intestine issue , and respiratory infections .

" Tonkinese may be geneticallyprone to a affection diseasetermed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , " Venator says .

creditworthy breeder will test kitty for health outcome , but it ’s important tokeep on a regular basis scheduled vet appointmentsand take the advice of your cat ’s vet . Diseases and other wellness problem can uprise later in life and should be routinely monitored .

History

What we know today as the Tonkinese was first concern to as a " Chocolate Siamese " at a big cat show in 1880s Britain , consult to the breed ’s dark brown chocolate period coating and resemblance to the Siamese . The stock ’s popularity did n’t take off in the UK , and after a short while the cats ceased to exist in Britain .

However , the computerized axial tomography kept turning up in Thailand and the area formerly known as Burma ( now Myanmar)—likely as a result of rude sexual union between Siamese and Burmese cats . One of these course multiply cats was imported to the United States in the 1930s . The cat ’s name was Wong Mau , and she became the female parent of the modern Burmese and Tonkinese breed . In the 1950s , the first man - start mating between the Siamese and Burmese was done by a breeder nominate Milan Greer .

Though Greer discontinue his breeding programme , other breeders became interested in crossing the Burmese and Siamese , most notablyJane Barletta from New Jersey and Margaret Conroy in Ontario . These breeders bring on what is today called the Tonkinese , list after the Tonkin realm in northern Vietnam .

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