How to Identify aTonkinese

Tonkinese cats (or "Tonks" as they are affectionately referred to) are the result from crossbreeding Burmese and Siamese cats during the mid-1960s. They have nothing to do with the Tonkin region of Indochina—actually, they were named after the island of Tonkan in the musical "South Pacific." In this musical production, the inhabitants of Tonkan suffered no discrimination because of their mixed heritage. These cats are more like laid-back Burmese cats in temperament, and in many people's opinions they mix the best of both species. Here is a guide on how to correctly identify a Tonkinese Cat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat

1. Start by looking at the cat's general shape. You should see a medium-sized cat with long, lithe limbs and a tubular body. The paws should be small in relation to the rest of the body. Despite their thin appearance, Tonks should have well defined muscles under their fur and be surprisingly heavy if picked up.

2. Look at the shape of the cat’s head. The head is a modified wedge, slightly deeper than wide, with pronounced cheekbones. The Tonk has a slight curve from the top of the head to eye level, where there is a gentle stop before the nose begins, unlike the straight angular skull of the Siamese or the perfectly rounded head of the Burmese. The eyes are almond-shaped and aqua in color.

3. Examine the cat’s coat. The Tonkinese can have any solid color like the Burmese and any point color like the Siamese. They also have a completely unique color pattern called a “mink.” This is a point color, but not to an extreme. For example, the cat’s basic fur color might be a yellowed ivory or very light tan. This will be the color of the main body, but the fur will darken to a light brown around the face, tail and feet. In a point pattern the face, tail and feet would be almost black. If the cat has a mink pattern, then it is definitely a Tonkinese.

Tips & Warnings

• This species is playful, but not particularly energetic or hyperactive. Your presence is often enough to keep a Tonkinese happy, but it can get into trouble if it is bored from being left alone. Make sure to keep a cat tree or play area for the cat so it will leave the rest of the house alone.
• Don't be surprised to find your Tonk on the tallest object in the house. The Tonkinese are notorious for their love of heights. They also may jump on your shoulders and perch there without warning, although they are unlikely to damage drapes or other hanging items. If you keep a Tonkinese, it's probably best not to have any lightweight or fragile items perched near the edge of a shelf or open cabinet.

Resources

• List of certified Tonkinese breeders