Tonkinese

Temperament

The Tonkinese combines the temperaments of both parent breeds: it has the Burmese’s sociability and the Siamese’s brains and chattiness, though its voice is gentler than the Siamese’s. It happily sits in a lap or on a shoulder, picks up on its owner’s mood and expects an answer when it “says” something. It loves climbing and jumping, learns to fetch easily and, when bored, may open a door or cabinet and look for entertainment on its own. It usually greets guests with curiosity and gets along well with children, dogs and other cats. Purina notes that, despite its sociability, it is happier in a calm home than in a very loud and chaotic one. Its weak spot is being alone: left for many hours every day, it quickly gets frustrated, which is why it is often kept with a second cat.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Talkativeness

quietchatterbox

Indoor-only life

needs outdoor accessgreat

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Tonkinese for?

The Tonkinese suits families and people who spend a lot of time at home, like an interactive, talkative cat and enjoy playing with it. It thrives with a second cat or a dog. If you work 10 hours a day away from home and don’t plan on a second pet, this breed will not be happy. People who value quiet may find its chattiness tiring.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

The short, silky coat is exceptionally easy to keep: once a week, run a rubber brush over it and wipe it with a damp cloth. Keep an eye on the coat, as a greasy or dull one can be a sign that the cat has stopped grooming itself, which may point to illness. Providing company and stimulation takes far more attention. A Tonkinese needs a cat tree with perches, fetch and hunting games together and puzzle toys. It learns tricks and harness walking well. Because the breed is prone to gingivitis, it is worth brushing its teeth from kittenhood and having them checked at every vet visit in older cats. The breed has a fast metabolism and rarely gets fat, but it is still worth setting portions with your vet.

Health and breed-related conditions

The CFA describes the Tonkinese as a genetically diverse and generally healthy breed, and the only problem the breed club lists is older cats’ tendency to develop gingivitis. Purina also points to diseases inherited from the parent breeds: the Burmese head defect, progressive retinal atrophy and pyruvate kinase deficiency. There are DNA tests for PRA and PK-def, so ask the breeder for the parents’ results. Since the Tonkinese has Burmese in its pedigree, it is also sensible to ask about a test for the head defect. Purina gives a lifespan of 10–16 years, VCA as much as 15–20 years.

• gingivitisThe breed’s most frequently cited problem, especially in older cats; brushing the teeth from kittenhood helps.
• Burmese head defectA developmental defect of the skull and face inherited from Burmese ancestors.
• progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)An inherited retinal disease that leads to blindness; a DNA test is available.
• pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-def)An inherited anemia; a DNA test is available.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Tonkinese’s history is tied to the Burmese. Both breeds descend from Wong Mau, a female cat brought to the US in 1930. Her solid brown kittens gave rise to the Burmese, while those that looked like their mother, with medium-dark points, were used to develop the Tonkinese. In the 1950s and 1960s, breeders in Canada and the US, including Margaret Conroy and Jane Barletta, began deliberately crossing Siamese with Burmese. Canada was the first to recognize the breed; the CFA accepted it for registration in 1982 and granted championship status to mink-pattern cats in 1984. The CFA accepted the point and solid patterns in 2002.

Fun facts

• Wong Mau, the cat the Burmese descend from, is also considered the ancestor of the Tonkinese.
• Aquamarine eyes are a hallmark of the mink pattern.
• Each of the three patterns, mink, point and solid, comes in four colors.
• The CFA accepted the point and solid patterns only in 2002.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. 1CFA – Tonkinese breed profilecfa.org
2. 2Purina UK – Tonkinesepurina.co.uk
3. 3VCA Animal Hospitals – Tonkinesevcahospitals.com
4. 4Wikipedia – Tonkinese caten.wikipedia.org
5. 5FIFe – Recognised breeds (brak Tonkinese)fifeweb.org
6. 6WCF – Siamese/Oriental breed standardswcf.de

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.