The Tonkinese is domestic breed of cat, developed by crossing Siamese and Burmese cats aiming to combine the best and most desirable characteristics of both breeds. Of course, first generation crosses, sometimes called “designer” crossbreeds don’t always manage to achieve the best of both. Yet, the “Tonk” as they are affectionately known is regarded as a good balance of both breeds.
Tonkinese cats were recognised as a distinct breed in Canada in the 1960s. However, it wasn’t until 1982 that the breed was accepted for registration by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), followed by recognition from the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in 1991.
If you’re thinking of welcoming a Tonkinese to your home, it’s important to be aware of any breed specific needs, potential health problems and determine if their temperament is likely to be a good match for your household and lifestyle. Continue reading to discover more about this special breed.
What do Tonkinese cats look like?
Although Tonkinese are oriental-type cats, their features are less extreme than some related breeds. Their heads are wedge shaped yet gently rounded with a blunted muzzle and medium sized ears; their eyes are an open almond shape and these features give them an alert, intelligent expression.
They are medium sized, solid, muscular cats with a short, sleek coat which means that they are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. These well-proportioned, athletic yet elegant looking cats come in a variety of recognised colours which are detailed here in the breed standard, only cats with approved colours and coat patterns can be registered as Tonkinese.
In the UK, although Tonkinese is a recognised breed in their own right, there are different registration categories. First generation (F1) crosses (kittens bred from a pedigree Siamese and a pedigree Burmese) can be placed on the Tonkinese breed Reference register. Second and third generation crosses can be registered on the Supplementary register. A cat can only be placed on the Full register, when the parents, grandparents and great grandparents are all Tonkinese (i.e. fourth generation). If you’re interested in showing your Tonkinese, in the UK only cats listed on the supplementary or full registers are eligible to compete; you can read the registration policy here.
What about the Tonkinese personality?
When describing the character and temperament of any cat breed, we stereotype the breed as a whole, let’s not forget that all cats are individuals and there will be variations in personality, they don’t all behave in the same way. That said, Tonks are well known for having big personalities!
You’re likely to find that they are often incredibly friendly, affectionate cats who wants to be with you and demand your attention. They are talkative, although perhaps not as chatty and vocal as most Siamese. They’re social and tend to be people-orientated meaning they’re usually good with children and friendly dogs (as long as the children and dogs are good with them!).
Their intelligence and playful nature means that if kept indoors they will need environmental enrichments such as toys, climbing trees and scratching posts. Unlike some cats who are more solitary in nature, Tonkinese cats often enjoy the company of another cat with a similar energetic personality. One thing to bear in mind is that they don’t like being left alone for long, they will become lonely or bored so are more of a commitment than you might expect. If you’re away from home for much of the day a Tonk may not be the ideal breed for you.
Are Tonkinese cats healthy?
When thinking of welcoming any pet to your family it’s important to consider what health problems they may be prone to. Many pedigree breeds have known genetic or hereditary health problems but sources including the GCCF and the PDSA both state that the Tonkinese does not suffer from any specific breed related conditions. Delving further into the health of the Tonkinese, the CFA suggest that they are more prone to dental disease and The International Cat Association (TICA) add Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and amyloidosis to the list of potential health problems. Some insurance company websites include diseases such as hyperthyroidism, feline asthma, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and diabetes.
With the exception of amyloidosis which is more breed specific, these diseases can affect all breeds of cat including crossbreeds so it’s difficult to say whether they are more prevalent in Tonks when looking at the cat population as a whole. The Tonkinese breed club list several mandatory DNA tests for diseases including:
Burmese Head Defect: This genetic mutation affects the development of the skull and face. Affected kittens are usually stillborn but can be born alive but cannot survive so require euthanasia. Cats that inherit only one copy of the genetic mutation (i.e from one parent) may have a brachycephalic (shortened) head shape.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-rdac): This inherited disease causes vision problems. It is late onset meaning that although kittens have normal eyesight, a gradual degeneration of the photoreceptor cells in the eye eventually leads to blindness.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef): This is an inherited disease causing haemolytic anaemia, clinical signs may include weakness, lethargy, pale gums or inappetence. Some cats may not show any symptoms but in some cases the anaemia can be severe and life threatening.
Burmese Hypokalaemia: This can be first seen in 2-6 month old kittens but clinical signs may not be seen until cats are around a year old. It causes intermittent muscle weakness which can be severe. In some cases it causes respiratory paralysis which can be fatal.
GM2 Gangliosidosis: This is a fatal, neurological disease caused by a genetic mutation. Symptoms including tremors and incoordination can begin in kittens as young as 6 weeks old.
Only cats that have been DNA tested are eligible for registration. Responsible breeders will either remove cats testing positive from breeding programmed or make sure they aren’t mated with cats testing positive for the same conditions, these breed related problems can then be avoided. With all of this in mind I would agree that registered Tonkinese cats are generally a healthy breed of pedigree cat and they do have a relatively long lifespan.
Do Tonkinese cats make good pets?
Tonkinese cats can make wonderful pets, especially in homes where their need for companionship is met and their environment allows them plenty of opportunity for play. Almost “dog like” in nature they want to be involved with everyday family life and like to be part of the action, their lovable and sociable character means they become much-loved members of the family.
It’s important to choose your breeder and your kitten carefully. Responsible breeders should carry out DNA testing to reduce the risk of breed related diseases. Overall, Tonks are considered a healthy breed of cat but as with all pet cats its worth keeping an eye on their overall health and wellbeing. Staying up to date with vaccinations (which will include a Veterinary health check) and parasite control as well as feeding them good quality, complete diet will help keep your cat in good health. Your Veterinary team always will be able to answer any queries you have regarding your cat’s health.
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