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General Description & Personality
Photos & article © Linda Vousden Tonkinese males are large and noble, the females are smaller and exquisitely feminine. They have gentle and almond shaped eyes in sparkling aquamarine, topaz or sapphire according to their coat-pattern and are dressed in silky short-fur coats. The unique Tonkinese coat-pattern is the essential characteristic that distinguishes the Tonkinese from other breeds of cat; it is clearly neither a self-coloured nor a pointed coat-pattern. There is a difference between the body colour and the darker points that is subtle rather than markedly contrasting where the points and body colour meet. The Tonkinese has no extreme physical features; it is a well-balanced cat of medium Foreign type. The firm body and strong, slender legs are well muscled and balanced by an elegant and gently tapering tail that is neither thick nor whippy. The paws are oval rather than round. |
Caspar (Lilac mink male) & Fable (Blue mink male)
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Mymystic Maiway (Brown mink female)
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Their well spaced, shapely ears are set pricked forward and perfectly balanced on a subtly sculptured head with rounded edges and gentle slopes. The head is neither elongated nor short and round. When you view it from the front it should give the impression of an equilateral triangle. The muzzle is defined by a slight whisker pinch.
In profile, the Tonkinese has a slight nose-break and a firm chin of medium depth. The eyes are large, expressive and gently almond shaped. The top line of the eye slants down toward the nose, the lower line of the eye is rounded. In the self colours (a term used to distinguish the single coloured cats from torties and tabbies), the body colour is expected to gently merge with the darker points. In torties the nature of the pattern prevents an even merging of body and points colour but the base colour on the body should be a paler tone of the base colour on the points. In the tabby pattern the colour of the body and points do not merge but the tabby markings on the body should be a paler tone of the clearly defined markings on the points. |
In America and Canada, early breeders likened their Tonk’s colour and coat-pattern to the wild mink, a rich chestnut brown body and darker points (the face, ears, legs and tail), so they called the brown Tonkinese 'natural mink'. ‘Mink’ now refers to the Tonkinese coat-pattern, not the colour or texture of the fur. Soon other colours were bred - Blue, Champagne and Platinum and even Honey (Cinnamon) and Fawn. In the UK the Tonkinese are recognised by the GCCF in Brown, Blue, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Lilac and Fawn (these equate with USA’s Natural, Blue, Champagne, Honey, Platinum an Taupe), plus Carmel (Blue- Lilac- or Fawn-based), Red, Cream and Apricot; in addition there are the Tabbies and Tortoiseshells in all of the possible colour variations just mentioned. Tonkinese also have three variations of coat-pattern - solid, mink and pointed. The solid pattern is more correctly called Burmese colour restriction (BCR), the mink pattern is Tonkinese colour restriction (TCR) and the pointed pattern is the Colour Pointed pattern (CPP). Some people mistakenly believe that the solid and pointed patterns may eventually be bred out of the Tonks - all three patterns are valued and are integral to the breed.
Personality
It is virtually impossible to describe the sheer charm of a Tonkinese. They give you their devoted attention, and share themselves with each member of the household, but you won’t feel suffocated by their attention - unless you have them for the wrong reasons. They must be treated as equal, active, members of the family. They know how to get your attention; they'll touch you or talk to you in moderated tones, they'll bring presents or place a toy at your feet for you to throw for them. They welcome visitors, greet you at the door and tell you about their day. The Tonk is upwardly mobile and seeks the highest point in the room to look down upon you.
They are strong, intelligent cats - if they want to get into a drawer, wardrobe, room or through a cat-flap they will. They charm you, while training you to serve them properly. Tonks are good companions for children if respected and cared for. They’re easy to groom and are not fussy eaters. These intelligent, generous spirited cats should never be taken for granted.
Tonks love to be with people, and get on well with properly trained dogs - but need the company of other cats too. A Tonk in a single-cat home is not likely to be happy or content. They relate well with most breeds of cat as long as it is a breed similar to themselves - bright and active.
If you want to be owned by a Tonk be absolutely sure that you want a cat who expects equal terms. Be sure you want a cat who will talk to you and expect an answer; a cat who will demand a fair share of attention and in return will be a constant and faithful companion.
Personality
It is virtually impossible to describe the sheer charm of a Tonkinese. They give you their devoted attention, and share themselves with each member of the household, but you won’t feel suffocated by their attention - unless you have them for the wrong reasons. They must be treated as equal, active, members of the family. They know how to get your attention; they'll touch you or talk to you in moderated tones, they'll bring presents or place a toy at your feet for you to throw for them. They welcome visitors, greet you at the door and tell you about their day. The Tonk is upwardly mobile and seeks the highest point in the room to look down upon you.
They are strong, intelligent cats - if they want to get into a drawer, wardrobe, room or through a cat-flap they will. They charm you, while training you to serve them properly. Tonks are good companions for children if respected and cared for. They’re easy to groom and are not fussy eaters. These intelligent, generous spirited cats should never be taken for granted.
Tonks love to be with people, and get on well with properly trained dogs - but need the company of other cats too. A Tonk in a single-cat home is not likely to be happy or content. They relate well with most breeds of cat as long as it is a breed similar to themselves - bright and active.
If you want to be owned by a Tonk be absolutely sure that you want a cat who expects equal terms. Be sure you want a cat who will talk to you and expect an answer; a cat who will demand a fair share of attention and in return will be a constant and faithful companion.