What do you get when you mix a Seal point Siamese cat and a Sable Burmese cat? You get the only cat that truly originated in Canada, the Tonkinese cat. This cat has the best of the two breeds; he is very smart, inquisitive and adoring. The best known feature of this cat is his beautiful aqua blue eyes. They are alert and brilliantly coloured.
The coat of the Tonkinese has qualities from both of its oriental ancestors. He is adorned with the Burmese colours and then decorated with the Siamese seal points, giving him his distinct "mink" colour. Although the most popular colour remains "mink", Tonkinese can be found in honey, Champaign, platinum and blue.
The Champaign are also called chocolate and the platinum are also referred to as frost or lilac. The colours develop slowly and richly as the cat matures. The feel of the coat is quite luxurious. It is soft and very dense and requires little grooming to maintain its lustre and sheen.
The body of the Tonkinese is very muscular indeed. They are rounder than their Siamese ancestors. The Tonkinese can take a long time to fully mature, reaching their full maturity as late as 16 months.
This cat is a playful cat. You will never be permitted a dull moment once you give your life over to a Tonkinese. He will greet you at the door. As a matter of fact, with his intense curiosity, he will greet everyone at the door. This cat will not only be your constant companion but he will also serve as entertainment for all of your guests. They are active and playful, and Tonkinese cats have been known to teach their owners to play fetch.
As a highly intelligent breed, the Tonkinese will appoint himself supervisor over your daily activities. He will follow you from room to room all around the house. You must be very careful where you hide the catnip. This cat can jump and climb to shockingly high places.
Once you open your home to a Tonkinese you unknowingly sign away your rights as home owner. Your house becomes his play ground. He will spend all of his time stubbornly trying to convince you of this. Your lap becomes his property. Your shadow becomes his sidewalk. Your time becomes his to fill with hide and seek, chase, fetch, belly rubs, or anything else he wants. Your heart will be readily given to him, and he will own his share of it forever.
But, once he is in your home, he will develop such a strong bond with you and your family. They will become his family and he will see little difference between them and him. This is a terrific family pet. He will fit in perfectly in a home with other Tonks as well as one with children. A pair of Tonks can entertain themselves and you for hours. Be it an intense game of hide and seek or a wrestling match, a Tonk knows how to have fun.