The Tonkinese

GrCh Klahz Jedi Jacen Champagne Mink male

The Tonkinese blends the best features of its ancestors into one beautiful, medium-sized cat that is remarkably dense and muscular. Whether appearing in the coat pattern of its Burmese predecessor, with sparkling gold- green eyes, the pointed pattern of its Siamese ancestor, with glittering blue eyes, or the "mink" coat pattern seen in the show ring, with its unique aqua eyes, the Tonkinese is an intelligent, gregarious cat with a sense of humor.

These cats are firmly convinced that humans were put on earth to love them; these are the cats that know they belong. They purred their way through seven years and four presentations to the Board of Directors of The Cat Fanciers’ Association in their pursuit of championship status, achieving their goal in 1984. Although new to modern competition, this is the same breed depicted in The Cat-Book Poems of Siam during the Ayudha Period (1358-1767), and imported to England in the early 1800s as "Chocolate Siamese." In the United States, Tonkinese and Burmese can trace their beginnings back to Wong Mau, a small walnut colored cat imported to California by Dr, Joseph Thompson in 1930. The colorful personality of the Tonkinese make them ideal companions. They will take possession of your lap and shoulder, and they will supervise your activities. They are warm and loving, highly intelligent, with an incredible memory and senses that are akin to radar. They are strong willed, and their humans are wise to use persistent persuasion in training them. They are naturals at inventing and playing games, using favorite toys to play fetch, and delighting in games of tag with each other. Of course hide ’n seek is a favorite game, which they play with humans as well as other Tonks. They become your "door greeter" and will happily entertain your guests. They have been described by enthusiastic owners as part puppy (following their owner around the house), part monkey (their "acrobatics" are legend! ), and can sound like an elephant running through your house when they choose. In short: they quickly take over and run your house and your life! Their affectionate ways are impossiblv. to ignore, and they quickly endure themselves to family and visitors. Caring for Tonkinese is as easy as feeding a well-balanced feline diet, clipping their nails weekly (providing a scratching post and insisting they use it is also imperative), using a rubber brush to groom them, and of course the all important visit to the vet for check-ups and inoculations. These are indoor only cats, and a thorough inspection of your home prior to your Tonks’ arrival, to make certain screens and doors are secured, will help insure they remain indoors. "Cat proofing" your home, much as you would for a two-year old human on the loose, is bound to save you frustration. Toys and an interesting cat tree will help keep them occupied when you have other things to do besides playing with your Tonk. Working humans find two Tonks will keep each other company as well as lessen the mischief one bored Tonk can get into. Tonks wear a rainbow of colors, and no matter which color in whatever coat pattern you may choose, be assured you are joining an enthusiastic fan club of admirers of this breed. You are about to embark on the most joyful experience of your life – enjoy!

Pricing on Tonkinese usually depends on each individual kitten’s bloodlines, type and applicable markings. Many breeders allow pickup of new kittens between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. At the age of sixteen weeks, kittens have had basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability to adjust to a new environment. Four months also conforms to the minimum age for showing and transport by air. If a breeder offers you an older kitten or adult cat, don’t hesitate; they can be a welcome addition to a home where proper behavior and good manners are needed upon arrival! Keeping your cat indoors and neutering or spaying are essential elements for maintaining a healthy companion, and most importantly will extend the life expectancy of your cat. There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Tonkinese breed.

For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.

GENERAL: the Tonkinese cat was originally the result of a Siamese to Burmese breeding. The ideal Tonkinese is intermediate in type, being neither cobby nor svelte. The Tonkinese should give the overall impression of an alert, active cat with good muscular development. The cat should be surprisingly heavy. While the breed is to be considered medium in size, balance and proportion are of greater importance.

HEAD AND MUZZLE: the head is a modified wedge somewhat longer than it is wide, with high gently planed cheekbones. The muzzle is blunt, as long as it is wide. There is a slight whisker break, gently curved, following the lines of the wedge. There is a slight stop at eye level. In profile the tip of the chin lines with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. There is a gentle rise from the tip of the nose to the stop. There is a gentle contour with a slight rise from the nose stop to the forehead. There is a slight convex curve to the forehead.

EARS: alert, medium in size. Oval tips, broad at the base. Ears set as much on the sides of the head as on the top. Hair on the ears very short and closelying. Leather may show through.

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EYES: open almond shape. Slanted along the cheekbones toward the outer edge of the ear. Eyes are proportionate in size to the face.

EYE COLOR: aqua. A definitive characteristic of the Tonkinese breed, best seen in natural light. Depth, clarity, and brilliance of color preferred.

BODY: torso medium in length, demonstrating well-developed muscular strength without coarseness. The Tonkinese conformation strikes a midpoint between the extremes of long, svelte body types and cobby, compact body types. Balance and proportion are more important than size alone. The abdomen should be taut, well-muscled, and firm.

LEGS and FEET: fairly slim, proportionate in length and bone to the hody. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Paws more oval than round. Trim. Toes: five in front and four behind.

TAIL:  proportionate in length to body. Tapering.

COAT; medium short in 1ength, close-lying, fine, soft and silky, with a lustrous sheen.

BODY COLOR: the mature specimnen should be a rich, even, unmarked color, shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly light or hue on the underparts. Allowance to be made for lighter body color in young cats. With the dilute colors in particular, development of full body color may take up to 16 months. Cats do darken with age, but there must be a distinct contrast between body color and points.

POINT COLOR: mask, ears, feet, and tail all densely marked, but merging gently into body color. Except in kittens, mask and ears should be connected by tracings. Allowance to be made for slight barring in young cats.

PENALIZE: palpable tail fault. Extreme ranginess or cobbiness. Definite nose break. Round eyes.

DISQUALIFY; yellow eyes. White locket or button. Visible tail kink. Crossed eyes.

COLORS: natural mink, champagne mink, blue mink, platinum mink.

GrCh Klahz Zaire Al Rami platinum mink alter

Author:

Alden & Mary Mosshammer - provided by CFA

Pictures:

Carine Risberg/John Ypma "KLAHZ Korats and Tonkinese"
Dryden, Ontario / Canada

e-mail: risberg@dryden.net

http://www.dryden.net/~risberg