Breed Description
Tonkinese are a verypopular pedigree companion breed of cats. They are multifaceted. While active, playful, and muscular cats, they are also affectionate, social lap cats. The CFA Breed Profile is a general description of the Tonkinese pedigree cat. The CFA Breed Standard specifies the conformation description by which all Tonkinese are judged in the show ring.
Tonkinese Colors
Tonkinese come in many color/coat pattern variations. Their coat patterns vary from high contrast between body and points (extremities: face, ears, tail, and legs) to low contrast (almost solid) coat and some in between with more subtle contrast. Tonkinese Color and Coat Patterns explains the basic color definitions and illustrate the color/coat pattern combinations.
Tonkinese Genetics
This article is a technical detailed explanation of the genetics and physical mechanisms that create the colors/coat patterns, and eye colors. It also contains probability tables giving the average number of kitten colors produced by the matings of parents of various colors.
Is my Cat a Tonkinese?
There are no "pure breed" cats in terms of a DNA test or some definitive test to determine a cat's breed. There are only pedigreed cats which means you have documented proof of its parents, grandparents, etc. in a pedigree. If you have a cat of unknown origin, it can be fun to speculate on what breed it is, but you can't know if its a Tonkinese. Only cats of known origins can be a pedigreed Tonkinese. We can't look at a photo, or hear a description, or give it a test and say its a Tonkinese.
Tonkinese Disposition and Personality
People are attracted to the Tonkinese breed because they are beautiful, but more important, they have a wonderful disposition and personality. Although Tonkinese kittens are great fun, Tonkinese tend to remain kittens throughout their life. Tonkinese are very
Social
They love people and usually get along with children, other cats (other breeds), and dogs.
Active
They love toys, high places, riding on shoulders, monitors, socks, and playing fetch (even with large stuffed toys).
Curious
Tonkinese are curious and playful. They also do things and get into places you might prefer they don't...
Cuddly
When not playing and getting into everything, they cuddle and love to curl up with you. Its like having two cats in one. The "intelligent into everything" cat and the loving "cuddly". Many can be held in almost any position as they have such trust we will never hurt them.
