There are many cat breeds that are familiar to us and some may be instantly recognizable, the moment that we see them. There are other breeds, however, that are relative newcomers to the scene and they may have various characteristics from the specific breeds that were used in the breeding process. That is the case with the Tonkinese, a cat that is a mixture of a Siamese and Burmese. They have a reputation of being standoffish, but once you own one, you will see that it is not well earned.
The Tonkinese is a rather interesting cross between two cats from Southeast Asia. The Siamese cat was bred because of its specific looks but they wanted to come up with a breed that was similar but had less of a voice than the Siamese. That is when they brought the Burmese into the mix and when the two were bred together, it resulted in the Tonkinese breed. This breed may have been around in the late 1800s but it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that a more specific breeding program began to take hold. Shortly thereafter, they gained official recognition and today, they are one of the most popular breeds of cats in existence.
If you are looking into owning the Tonkinese and bringing them into your family, you may have heard that they can be a little bit standoffish. Once you actually have this delightful feline in your home, however, you will realize that nothing could be further from the truth. As a matter of fact, the Tonkinese is one of the most loving and friendly cats that you could ever hope to have and they will keep you active, as they love to play frequently. They also tend to be rather intelligent and can be taught tricks easily. They do like to talk, but not quite as loudly as the Siamese
Unfortunately, the Tonkinese can experience a wide range of health issues and you should be aware of these potential problems so that they can be addressed if they become an issue. Many of these conditions are seen in the Siamese, although they may have some that are more specific to this breed. Some of the different health problems that they may experience include gastrointestinal issues, heart defects, lymphoma, excessive grooming, Amyloidosis and bronchitis.
The coat of the Tonkinese is relatively short so they don’t typically need any more than a weekly brushing to keep them in shape. They may require additional care, however, in the way of dental care. Brushing their teeth on a regular basis can help to keep periodontal disease to a minimum. They also do better as an indoor cat, so be sure you prepare for that when you own a Tonkinese.
If you have a home with children, other cats or dogs that get along well with cats, the Tonkinese will fit right into the family. They are more of a lover than a fighter and you will find that they are quite a delight to have around.