HISTORY
There are many myths and legends surrounding the Tonkinese breed, and exactly how long it's been around as an unrecognised breed.
Various sources, including the website for The International Cat Association, state that a cat of Tonkinese type appears in the Book Of Cats, written in Thailand during the 1300s, which details all the ancient Thai cats.  However, I think it's just as likely that the illustrated cat is a Siamese.  Certainly however, cats of Tonkinese pattern & type have existed in the Orient for centuries.
All sources agree that the first recorded Burmese cats were the progeny of Wong Mau, during the 1930s.  She came from Burma and was owned by Dr. Joseph G. Thompson of San Francisco.  Some people believe Wong Mau was "Chocolate Siamese", and some believe she was a Tonkinese.  What is known is that she was a Mink patterned cat, with solid body colour and darker points of the same colour.  Dr Thompson mated Wong Mau to a Siamese, Tai Mau, and she produced kittens in Point and Mink pattern.  She was then mated back to one of her Mink patterned sons, Yen Yen Mau, and produced kittens in all three Tonkinese patterns (Mink, Pointed & Solid).  The solids were then bred together, producing kittens in the Solid pattern only, and  founding the Burmese breed. The modern Tonkinese breed was developed in Canada in the 1960's, and was given championship status in 1984.

























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BREEDING
Tonkinese has two foundation breeds in Siamese and Burmese and any combination of Siamese Burmese and Tonkinese is officially labelled a Tonkinese. 

• BURMESE X SIAMESE = TONKINESE
• BURMESE X TONKINESE= TONKINESE
• SIAMESE X TONKINESE= TONKINESE
• TONKINESE X TONKINESE= TONKINESE​

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As you can see it is easy enough to breed a cat labelled a Tonkinese but that’s not all there is to it. In the Cat Showing world I have found many negative comments made about the breed as follows



’Tonks don’t breed true’ is one and
‘ its just a cross bred’ is another



In reference to the first remark its simple, Tonkinese are complicated to breed if you wish to do it well and get the combination right but it can be done. Putting a Tonkinese breeding pair together without studying their coat patterns, point colour, eye colour and what genes they carry is not a breeding program but a lucky dip.

In reference to the second comment that Tonkinese are just a crossbred well firstly we should say ‘hybrid’ as it is an allowed outcross ie it was planned to get a particular type of cat.

We should also note that the Angora, Asian, Bengal, Balinese, Bombay, Burmese, Burmilla, Colour-Point British Shorthair, Exotic, Javanese, LaPerm, Occicat, Oriental, Ragdoll, Seychelloise, Snowshoe, Somali, Tibitaine, Tiffanie, and all the other breeds created from crossing two or more different breeds of cat and even domestic cats in some cases should also be labelled hybrids.



PERSONALITY

 Many pure bred cats have amazing temperaments and all are intelligent to some degree. Tonkinese are not just intelligent though, they are usually great conversationalists, great athletes, great team members, super affectionate and loving just to name a few of their talents. They are incredibly loyal and will be waiting at the front door for you the moment they hear your footsteps or car turn into the driveway and they may gently pat your face when your in bed to see if your awake and would like to have a chat give them breaky or just would like a cuddle. If your interested in Tonkinese that's great but keep these things in mind as they need to fit into your household perfectly. Is someone home all the time as they need company? It doesn't have to be a person it could be another tonk and thats perfect but even another fairly playful dog, cat or even rabbit can work. They need stimulation so they dont get bored or get into mischief and I always love to tell people how to teach them to play fetch or hide and seek, or chasey. They will love anyone who gives them affection or attention in any way. As kittens its a good idea to not have too many breakables around as at about ten at night its 'mad hour' they can just go crazy running around up and down curtains on top of the fridge just full of energy. If you have more than one or a inside dog as well this can be a huge amount of fun but keeping them in a space and place they cant break anything at this time is probably pretty important to most people. They have been said to be the dogs of the cat world and I believe that to be true but you need to treat them accordingly. Teach them tricks, call them by name when you talk to them, take them in the car with a harness on when your going to get the milk or the kids from school. Its all about exposure and stimulation and you will have yourself a very well adjusted and confident Tonkinese. I even have a client who puts their tonk in a backpack and goes hiking when they are on holiday. Walking on a lead is definitely possible but please be careful about dogs as not all dogs are cat friendly and a happy confident tonk walking on a lead along the street or at the park can be an easy target for a poorly trained dog!

There are some great books written about Tonkinese but the ones I have I can really reccomend. They are written by Linda Vousden a renowned UK Tonkinese breeder and really are worth getting if you own a tonkinese or just like the breed.

 

Tonkinese Books by Linda Vousden renowned UK Tonkinese breeder