Tonkinese

Lore & Background

The modern Tonkinese breed is a reconstruction of a breed brought to the West in the 19th century, originally known as 'chocolate Siamese'. Breeders working with imported cats from Malaysia noticed some cats had aquamarine eyes and darker coats than the Siamese. Many cats used to found the Siamese and Burmese in the West, including Wong Mau, are believed to be Tonkinese. Tonkinese were bred but registered as either Burmese or Siamese until the 1950s, when breeders took interest.

Reader's Guide

The Tonkinese breed represents a deliberate reconstruction of an older type of cat, the 'chocolate Siamese', that had been brought to the West in the 19th century. Its development in the mid-20th century by breeders Margaret Conroy of Canada and Jane Barletta of the United States, who independently crossed Siamese and Burmese cats, aimed to combine the distinctive appearance and lively personalities of both parent breeds. The breed's name references the Tonkin region of Indochina, though it is suggestive only, as the cats have no connection with the area. The Tonkinese is significant for its intermediate type between the slender Siamese and the more cobby Burmese, and for its unique 'mink' coat pattern, which results from having one gene for the Burmese solid pattern and one for the Siamese pointed pattern. Its presence on postage stamps in over 30 countries further attests to its global appeal.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Tonkinese' is a reference to the Tonkin region of Indochina, though the cats have no connection with the area.
• Breeding two mink-patterned Tonkinese cats does not usually yield a full litter of mink kittens; on average, half are mink, one quarter pointed, and one quarter sepia.
• In the West, Tonkinese cats under six months were historically called 'small-cats' rather than 'kittens', a term that became almost obsolete by the mid-20th century.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

- Some people may think the name "Tonkinese" indicates the breed originated in the Tonkin region, but the facts show the name is merely a reference to that area and the cats have no actual connection to it. - Another common misconception is that breeding two mink-patterned Tonkinese cats always produces mink-patterned kittens, but the facts state that on average only half the litter is mink, with one quarter pointed and one quarter sepia.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

The Tonkinese endures as a distinctive breed because it bridges the characteristics of the Siamese and Burmese, offering a balanced temperament and a unique "mink" coat pattern with aquamarine eyes. Its history—tangled with the origins of two other major breeds—highlights how careful breeding can resurrect lost varieties and that even well-known cats like Wong Mau may have been Tonkinese, giving the breed a special place in feline genetics and breed history.