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At
a glance...
Body Size... Medium
Coat Length... Short
Life span... 15 yrs |
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Tonkinese
Additional information
supplied by...
Emmel Tonkinese
Tonks and All...Breeds Cat
Club
http://members.optushome.com.au/emmelt
emmelt@optushome.com.au
Ph: (07) 3342 0596 |
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Description... |
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 The
Tonkinese is a medium between the svelte Siamese and the cobby
Burmese. It comes in both the Siamese and Burmese coat patterns as
well as the "mink" or "Tonkinese" pattern, which is the medium
between the two. Tonkinese minks also have the distinctive
aquamarine eyes. This is a breed with a
slightly heavier body type than that associated with the Siamese,
and with a wider head and muzzle. The muzzle is square and the nose
is indented. Eyes are aquamarine blue with all coat colours. The coat
is short and glossy. Accepted colours and markings are as for the
Siamese and Burmese.
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History...
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History shows that the Tonkinese have occurred
naturally in South East Asia for hundreds, if not thousands, of
years , and that the first Burmese was actually a Tonkinese.
Tonkinese were shown in England in the late 1800s as Chocolate
Siamese, and today's Tonkinese have been recreated by breeding
Siamese and Burmese together. |
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Traits...
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 Tonkinese
are an intelligent, active cat that can be described as the "dogs of
the cat world". They can be walked on leashes, have been known to
retrieve and wait for your arrival home at the front door.
Tonkinese are very active,
inquisitive cats. They are playful and acrobatic, and the house
where they live should be cat-proofed carefully. Tonkinese cats
should be maintained indoors, as they may be inclined to wander if
allowed outdoors.
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Good aspects... |
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Many Tonkinese enthusiasts look to the breed as it
reminds them on the old fashioned Siamese they had as a child. It
comes in 3 coat patterns, as well as a host of colours (brown,
chocolate, blue and lilac, as well as reds and creams). It is a
robust and active cat, while being loyal and loving. |
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Health...
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Being derived from both the Siamese and Burmese
breeds, the Tonkinese is normally free from any health problems. |
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Beware... |
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Tonkinese are affectionate, gregarious cats, so if
you are at work all day, they do require some sort of animal
companionship. Two Tonks are Terrific! |
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Summary...
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Coat colour is not temperature
dependent, as it is in the Siamese. 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.
When you put all these factors together, you end up with a stunning
cat, with a fantastic personality that stands above all others. Why
wouldn't they be popular? |
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