The Tonkinese Cat: Love Child Of The Siamese & Burmese

The name under its original spelling of Tonkanese was said to reference the musical South Pacific

which featured an island where no one discriminated against "half-breeds." There was often confusion about the spelling, however, so in 1971 the name was officially changed to Tonkineseafter the exotic-sounding Bay of Tonkin in Vietnameven though the cats had no association with that country.

Tonkinese cats were developed from a cross-breed of Burmese cats and Siamese cats

Playful and fun-loving, these cats require entertainment, so you'll need to make a trip to your local pet store's toy department to keep your Tonkinese cat happy. Left to its own devices, a Tonkinese will grow bored quickly and, more often than not, turn to making mischief.

Because the Tonkinese started off as a designed breed

it has been allowed a variety of accepted colors. As a product of mating between the Burmese and the Siamese, three coat patterns have emerged as the most common: solid, like the Burmese; pointed (or pale with darker extremities), like the Siamese; and mink, a combination of the two.

The mink is the most popular pattern

the shading is subtle and not as pronounced as the pointed pattern. Mink is generally referred to as a dark coloring, but it also refers to the texture of the fur. The mink can also be in champagne or platinum, for example.

Similar to its ancestor, the Siamese, the Tonk often has eyes in shades of blue

The Siamese does not technically have blue pigmented eyes, but rather has colorless eyes that reflect light, as the sky does. This same quality is carried over into the Tonkinese.

One of the best known features of the Tonk breed is the appearance of aqua colored eyes that concur with the mink coat

The appearance of aqua coloring in the eyes is actually a very carefully selected combination of yellow to green, balanced with light reflection. With the reflection of light the eyes appear to be aqua, and will reflect differently depending on the available light, as well as the time of day, just as the blue of the sky appears to change color.

Just as the Tonk is a physical combination of the parent breeds, but yet owns its own carriage, so is it with personality

Moderation is the key to the ideal Tonkinese. This breed is very active, but not hyperactive. It will run through the house, making its own little stampede of sound, and flip around like a circus monkey.

They make very amusing companions, and love to entertain family and guests

But, they can also sit contentedly, affectionately kissing and cuddling with their objects of devotion. They make for wonderful lap cats.

Indeed, if it is not a lap cat you are looking for, this is not going to be the cat for you

The Tonkinese craves affection, expects it, demands it -- all done lovingly, of course. This is not an aloof, snobbish cat. They are fun to be around, with a good temperament and sense of humor, and they love to carry on conversations.

The Tonk will speak in sentences and paragraphs, and it expects you to hang on every word

The payoff is a happy cat that will get along famously with children and other animals, and will be a constant source of joy, laughter and love.

The Tonk does not like to be alone for long, and will get into mischief if it is bored too often

This is one of the most playful breeds of cats, it needs to play. If you must leave your cat alone it would be best to have a fellow cat to keep it company.

One of the more fortunate aspects of being a cross breed is that the Tonkinese does not have any health issues

They are a healthy and vigorous breed, with great temperaments and strong genes. Inbreeding was avoided, and careful selection from the beginning was the key to creating a sturdy line.

It is essential, however, to cat proof your home, just as you would for a human toddler

This breed is well known for its rambunctiousness. It does not mean to do any harm, but it loves to have fun, and it would be wise to place your breakable treasures in safe locations, where they cannot be knocked over.

Tonkinese think everyone is their friend and have no defensive skills, so they are an indoor cat only