The Tonkinese was developed in the mid-1960s as a moderate cat escaping from
a world of extremes. It was accorded championship status by the
Cat Fanciers’
Association (CFA) in 1984. The original parent lines used were the
cobby, round, and muscular Burmese, with little contrast
between
point and body color; and the slender, elegant, Siamese, with
high-contrast coloring. The result was a smooth, short-coated, medium
body type, described as surprisingly heavy when picked up. Adults weigh
between 7 and 11 pounds, with males generally heavier than females.
Tonkinese come in four colors: natural, blue, champagne, and platinum.
There are three coat variations: pointed, solid, and mink. The pointed
cat is very much like the Siamese: points are well-defined, and the eyes
are blue. The solid resembles the Burmese, with subtle points that blend
almost imperceptibly into the body coat. The eye colors range from green
to yellow. Mink represents a happy medium between the Siamese and
Burmese patterns. The eye color is typically aqua. Tonkinese colors and
coat patterns are perhaps best illustrated on the
Tonkinese CFA Breed Council site.
between
point and body color; and the slender, elegant, Siamese, with
high-contrast coloring. The result was a smooth, short-coated, medium
body type, described as surprisingly heavy when picked up. Adults weigh
between 7 and 11 pounds, with males generally heavier than females.
Tonkinese come in four colors: natural, blue, champagne, and platinum.
There are three coat variations: pointed, solid, and mink. The pointed
cat is very much like the Siamese: points are well-defined, and the eyes
are blue. The solid resembles the Burmese, with subtle points that blend
almost imperceptibly into the body coat. The eye colors range from green
to yellow. Mink represents a happy medium between the Siamese and
Burmese patterns. The eye color is typically aqua. Tonkinese colors and
coat patterns are perhaps best illustrated on the