Tonkinese
A complete guide to the Tonkinese cat, covering its unique mink coat, aquamarine eyes, history, temperament, and the genetics behind its distinct appearance.
The Tonkinese is a medium-sized cat breed resulting from a cross between the Siamese and Burmese, distinguished by its unique "mink" coat pattern and aquamarine eyes. This breed combines the active, vocal personality of the Siamese with the solid, muscular build of the Burmese, creating a cat that is deceptively heavy for its size and deeply people-oriented.
The genetic mechanism behind the coat
The Tonkinese is not a random mix but a specific genetic outcome where an individual carries one gene for the Siamese pointed pattern and one for the Burmese solid pattern. This intermediate combination produces the "mink" coat, which features a base color lighter than the points but more harmonious than the stark contrast of a pure Siamese. The eyes of a mink Tonkinese are a distinct aquamarine, falling anywhere on the blue-green to green-blue spectrum, rather than the deep blue of the Siamese or the golden-amber of the Burmese.
Breeding two mink-patterned cats does not guarantee mink kittens. Statistically, such a pairing produces half mink kittens, one quarter pointed kittens (Siamese-style), and one quarter sepia kittens (Burmese-style). Conversely, breeding a pointed cat with a sepia cat will always result in a litter of mink kittens, as the genes complement each other to produce the intermediate phenotype.
Appearance and physical structure
Tonkinese cats are medium-sized and muscular, often feeling much heavier than they appear when picked up. Their body type sits between the slender, long-bodied modern Siamese and the cobby, substantial American Burmese. The tail and legs are slim but proportionate, ending in distinctive oval paws. The head is gently rounded and slightly wedge-shaped with a blunted muzzle, and the ears are set towards the outside of the head.
There are two distinct regional styles. The American style favors a rounder, sculpted head with a shorter, sturdier body, reflecting the traditional Siamese and Burmese lines used by US breeders. The European style, particularly in the Netherlands and Germany, often includes a semi-longhaired variety known as the Tibetan Tonkinese, which tends to be more popular there than in the United States.
Colors and recognized patterns
The breed comes in a wide array of colors including black (seal), blue, chocolate (champagne), lilac (platinum), cinnamon, fawn, red, and cream. Each base color can appear in three distinct patterns. The "point" pattern is the classic Siamese style with a dark face, ears, legs, and tail on a light base with blue eyes. The "sepia" pattern is solid overall with only faintly visible points and golden-amber or green eyes. The "mink" pattern is the intermediate, with a lighter base and aquamarine eyes.
Registry standards vary regarding which colors are officially recognized. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) currently recognizes only four base colors: black, blue, chocolate, and lilac. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) accepts a broader range, including cinnamon, fawn, red, and cream, as well as caramel and apricot modifiers. All recognized colors can also present in tortoiseshell or tabby patterns.
Temperament and behavior
Tonkinese cats are active, vocal, and intensely people-oriented, often becoming lonesome or bored if left alone for long periods. Their voice is a unique blend of the parent breeds: softer and sweeter than the Siamese but more persistent than the Burmese, often described as a gentle quacking sound similar to a duck. They are known for dog-like behaviors, including fetching toys and enjoying jumping to great heights.
Health and longevity
The breed appears to have a genetic resistance to certain urinary issues. In a 2012 review of over 5,000 cases of urate urolithiasis, the Tonkinese was significantly under-represented, with only one recorded case among the breed against a population of 365. This suggests a lower susceptibility to this specific condition compared to other breeds. Beyond this specific statistic, the breed is generally healthy, inheriting the robust nature of both parent lines.
Historical origins
The modern Tonkinese is a reconstruction of a breed that was brought to the West in the 19th century, originally known as "chocolate Siamese." Breeders noticed cats with aquamarine eyes and darker coats than the standard Siamese. While these cats were used to found the Siamese and Burmese breeds in the West, it was not until the 1950s that breeders began deliberately developing them as a distinct line. By 1965, the breed was recognized in Canada, and the name was chosen to reference the Tonkin region of Indochina, though the cats have no actual connection to that area.
The breed received championship status with the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1984 and was recognized by the GCCF in 1991. Today, the Tonkinese is recognized in over 30 countries, with the breed featured on postage stamps in many of them. The name "small-cats" was historically used for Tonkinese under six months old, a translation from Burmese that has since become obsolete.