Tonkinese are a medium-sized catbreed distinguished by points as with Siamese and Burmese. They are lively, friendly, often talkative cats, with gregarious personalities. But they are happy apartment cats if they have some exercise opportunity. They are commonly referred to as 'Tonks'. As with many cat breeds, the exact history of the Tonkinese varies to some degree depending on the historian.
Tonkinese General Breed Standard
The Tonkinese should be of medium build and foreign type. The body should be firm and muscular with the head, body, legs, feet and tail in proportion to give a well-balanced appearance. The coat pattern is unique, neither pointed nor solid. The ears, mask, legs, feet and tail should be darker in tone, shading to a lighter expression of the same colour on the body. The cat should be even-tempered and of good weight for its size. Tonkinese can be late developers, coming to their best around two years of age.
Head: The top should be gently rounded with good width between the ears, a moderately proportioned wedge with a muzzle that is neither pointed nor square and a definite, but not exaggerated, whisker pinch. In profile, there should be a slight nose break leading down to a level bite and chin of medium depth.
Ears: Medium size, slighter taller than wide, pricked forward, with broad base oval tips. Base equally balanced between side and top of head, with outer line continuing line of wedge.
Eyes: Large and expressive, more almond shaped than round and set well apart. The top line of the eye is slanted down towards the nose; the lower line of the eye is rounded. Eye Colour: Any shade of greenish-blue or bluish-green is acceptable. The eye colour in all Tonkinese may vary in intensity depending upon the influence of the light and the mood of the cat. Incomplete development of eye colour may be found in kittens and young cats.
Body: Medium to long, well balanced, firm and muscular, the hind legs slightly longer than the front. Feet neat and oval.
Legs and Feet: Legs slender and well-muscled, the hind legs slightly longer than the front. Feet neat and oval.
Tail: Tapering tail of medium length, neither thick nor whippy.
Coat: Close lying and short. Fine, soft, silky with a lustrous sheen.
Colour: The Tonkinese coat pattern is unique. It is expressed as a subtle merging of toning colour from the darker ears, mask, legs, feet and tail to the lighter body colour, and is quite different to a self or pointed pattern. It is important that the difference between the points and body colour is not shapely defined. The legs and feet may be paler than the other points but should match in tone. The body colour should lighten gradually towards the underparts. The body should be free of any tabby markings in non-tabby adults; the colour will be pale towards the roots of the hair. Coat pattern in kittens may develop slowly and may show some slight tabby markings, which should not be faulted.
Brown: 74
Warm brown body colour merging with darker brown points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads brown.
Blue: 74a
Bluish-grey body colour, which may have warm undertones, merging with darker slate-grey points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue-grey.
Chocolate: 74b
Any shade of warm chocolate body colour merging with toning darker chocolate points, the colour in lighter chocolates may take longer to develop. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads chocolate.
Lilac: 74c
Warm lilac body colour merging with darker lilac points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pinkish grey.
Red: 74d
Light red body colour merging with darker red points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink. Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
Cream: 74f
Pale cool-toned cream body colour merging with darker cream points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink. Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
Caramel: 74n
Any shade of cool-toned bluish-fawn body colour merging with darker bluish fawn points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads bluish fawn. The depth of caramel may vary because it may be blue or lilac based.
Apricot: 74fn
Hot cream body colour merging with darker hot cream points showing a fawn undertone, with a metallic sheen that is more noticeable with maturity. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink. Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
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Tortie Colours:
The base colour should be brown, blue, chocolate, lilac or caramel that has been well broken with varying shades of red, cream and apricot and is free from tabby markings. Any large areas of red, cream or apricot may show some tabby markings. The distribution of colour on the points is immaterial. The base colour on the points should be darker than the base colour on the body, although the legs and feet may be pale than the other points. The colour on the points and body should match in tone but may not merge evenly.
Brown Tortie: 74e
Warm brown well broken with varying shades of red. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads brown and/or pink
Blue Tortie: 74g
Bluish grey well broken with varying shades of cream. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue and/or pink.
Chocolate Tortie: 74h
Any shade of warm chocolate well broken with varying shades of red. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads chocolate and/or pink.
Lilac Tortie: 74j
Warm lilac well broken with varying shades of cream. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads lilac and/or pink.
Caramel Tortie: 74p
Any shade of cool toned bluish fawn well broken with varying shades of apricot. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads bluish fawn and/or pink. The depth of caramel colour may vary because it may be blue or lilac based.
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Tabby Pattern:
The tabby pattern is formed by markings of the solid pattern colour on a background of agouti hairs. The pattern may be ticked, mackerel, spotted or classic. The points' markings should show good contrast with the ground colour, but may be less contrasting in the dilute colours [Blue, Lilac, Caramel, Cream and Apricot] and may be paler on the legs than on the points. The colour of the markings on the points and body should match in tone. Tabbies in the dilute colours will be lighter in tone than the equivalent solid colour. The markings can take longer to develop in Reds, Creams and Apricots. The points do not merge with the body colour as they do in non-tabby patterns but the markings on the points should be darker than the markings on the body.
Head Markings: There should be a clearly defined 'M' on the forehead, a 'spectacle' markings around the eyes, a ribbon running from the outer edge of the eye and spotted whisker pads. Ears are solid colour but show clear 'thumb marks', which may be less apparent in dilute colours, and mottled in tortie tabbies. The nose leather may be pinkish outlined with colour that matches the paw pads or more solid in colour.
Leg Markings: Clearly defined broken stripes. Solid markings on the back of the hind legs. The leg markings may be paler than the other points.
Tail Markings: Clearly defined broken rings.
Body Markings: The markings will depend upon the nature of the tabby pattern but will appear as a lighter shade of the points' markings against the agouti ground colour. The markings down the flanks to the underparts, which will be a paler shade of the ground colour and may show spots. The Tonkinese expression results in a broad band of more colour over the top of the head, along the back and into the base of the tail that is more noticeable with maturity. There should be one or more broken or unbroken necklets on the neck/upper chest.
Brown Tabby: 74t
Warm brown body markings against a beige agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads brown or pinkish brown.
Blue Tabby: 74at
Bluish-grey body markings, which may have warm undertones, against a pale beige agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue/grey or pinkish grey.
Chocolate Tabby: 74bt
Any shade of warm chocolate body markings against a warm beige agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads chocolate or pinkish chocolate.
Lilac Tabby: 74ct
Warm lilac body markings against a warm ivory agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads light pinkish grey.
Red Tabby: 74dt
Light red body markings against a cool ivory agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink. Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
Cream Tabby: 74ft
Rich cream body markings against a paler cool-toned cream agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink .Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
Caramel Tabby: Breed 74nt
Any shade of cool toned bluish-fawn body markings against a beige agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. The markings should show a metallic sheen that is more noticeable with maturity. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue/fawn or pinkish-fawn. The depth of caramel colour may vary because it may be blue or lilac based.
Apricot Tabby: 74fnt
Hot cream body markings against a pale cream agouti ground, with toning darker tabby markings on the points. The coat should show a cool metallic sheen that is more noticeable with maturity. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads pink .Note: Freckles may appear on nose leather, eye rims, lips paw pads and ears and should not be penalised.
Brown Tortie Tabby: 74et
Dark brown tabby markings broken and overlaid with varying shades of red. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Both elements of tortie and tabby must be present but the distribution of colour is immaterial. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads brown and/or pink.
Blue Tortie Tabby: 74gt
Bluish-grey blue tabby markings broken and overlaid with varying shades of cream. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Both elements of tortie and tabby must be present but the distribution of colour is immaterial. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue and/or pink.
Chocolate Tortie Tabby: 74ht
Any shade of warm chocolate tabby markings broken and overlaid with varying shades of red. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Both elements of tortie and tabby must be present but the distribution of colour is immaterial. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads chocolate and/or pink.
Lilac Tortie Tabby: 74jt
Warm lilac tabby markings broken and overlaid with varying shades of cream. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Both elements of tortie and tabby must be present but the distribution of colour is immaterial. Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads lilac and/or pink.
Caramel Tortie Tabby: 74pt
Any shade of cool toned bluish-fawn tabby markings broken and overlaid with varying shades of apricot. The colours will be slightly darker on the points. Both elements of tortie and tabby must be present but the distribution of colour is immaterial. The markings should show a metallic sheen that is more noticeable with maturity Nose leather, eye rims and paw pads blue/fawn and/or pinkish fawn. The depth of caramel colour may vary because it may be blue or lilac based.
Pointed pattern add the suffix (v) i.e. 74bv
Solid pattern add the suffix (qv) i.e. 74bqv
History
Tonkinese cats are a recent cross between the Siamese and Burmese cat breeds, although some assert that Tonkinese-like cats have existed since at least the early 1800s, and the founding cat of the Burmese breed was probably a mink hybrid-colored cat named "Wong Mau," a small walnut colored cat imported to California by Dr. Joseph Thompson in 1930. Some claim that the appearance of the breed is closer to the original appearance of the Siamese, before Siamese breeders developed today's triangular head and very leggy body. The name is not related to the Tonkin region of Indochina. When the breed was first established in Canada, the breed name was actually spelled "Tonkanese," which was a reference to the island in the musical South Pacific where "half-breeds" suffered no discrimination. The mistaken idea that the name was a geographical reference paralleling the Siamese and Burmese breed names resulted in a gradual switch to the current spelling, under which the breed was recognized by the US registering associations.
Physical characteristics
Tonkinese cats are commonly trim and muscular cats. They are typically heavier than they appear to be, due to their very muscular bodies. They have a distinctive oval-shaped paw, and a modified wedge-shaped head, with large ears set towards the outside of their head. They are unusually intelligent, curious, affectionate with people, and interested in them. Tonks are playful cats, but not hyperactive, although they can be mischievous if they become lonesome or bored. Some interesting toys and a cat tree, or, better yet, another Asian cat E.G. Tonkinese, Oriental, Burmese, Siamese, Snowshoe etc., will keep them occupied when you're not around. Unlike most breeds of cat, they are reported to sometimes, or even often, engage in fetching, and they can often be found perched on the highest object in the house. Do not be alarmed if your Tonkinese jumps on your shoulders, as the breed is known for its love of heights.
They are more like Burmese in temperament than Siamese, that is, less high-strung and demanding. Their voices are also less piercing (or raucous, depending on taste) in most cases than the Siamese, but most Tonks do like a good chat. Most observers feel they combine the more attractive features of both ancestor breeds.
Tonks come in four colors and exhibit a wide variety of patterns. The three main patterns are mink, solid and pointed. Solid is essentially a Burmese coat pattern; pointed a Siamese pattern. Mink is a unique Tonkinese pattern, with shaded "points" like the Siamese, with the body coloured in a shade harmonising with the point colour. Mink is intermediate between Burmese and Siamese, with less abrupt contrast between body and legs than Siamese. The mink variety is considered most desirable for the show ring in cat fancier associations. The most commonly accepted colors are: Lilac, Blue, Chocolate and Brown. Typically, solid Tonkinese cats have gold or blue- green eyes, cats with the pointed pattern are blue-eyed, and the mink cats have a shade of aquamarine. A great deal of subtle variation exists in colors and patterns, and Tonkinese body color darkens with age to some degree in all patterns. Cats kept in colder climates will typically be darker in their mink or point shading, like their Siamese cousins.
Breeding two mink Tonkinese cats does not usually yield a full litter of mink pattern Tonkinese kittens, as the mink pattern is the result of having one gene for the Burmese solid pattern and one for the Siamese pointed pattern. The most likely frequency pattern will be in such a mating one solid kitten, one pointed kitten, and two mink kittens. All three coat patterns will continue to exist and none can be bred out.
Those kittens not fitting the breed standards perfectly are termed 'pet quality' and are usually sold as companion pets, and for less money, since they can not be exhibited. They still have the same Tonkinese charm and personality. The genetics of the coat coloring and its interaction with eye coloring is complex and fascinating, though perhaps not the main attraction for Tonk fans.
Tonkinese registered in associations with closed breed books may produce smaller litters of three or four kittens on average as a result of increasing inbreeding, but those registered where new blood can still be added to the breed tend to the larger litters that come with hybrid vigor, usually having five, six, or more kittens. Kittens from closed breed book litters tend to be smaller in size. Colors and patterns in any litter depend both on statistical chance and the color genetics and patterns of the parents. Breeding between two mink-patterned cats will, on average, produce half mink kittens and one quarter each pointed and solid kittens. A pointed and a solid bred together will always produce all mink patterned kittens. A pointed bred to a mink will produce half pointed and half mink kittens, and a solid bred to a mink will produce half solid and half mink kittens.
In 2001, the Tonkinese were moved from hybrid classification to an established breed.
