Although Tonkinese are not be a “new” breed, initially I found a strong resistance to their acceptance especially by Burmese and Siamese breeders. Now they have world wide acceptance and are sort after for their great nature. Tonkinese should be “halfway between the modern Siamese and Burmese”. The first cross are only Minks. From my observation they tend to be more like their mother than the other breed used and may not have lost their Siamese voice.

Once they are bred Tonkinese to Tonkinese the degree or intensity of the points varies. There are “sepia” which have less distinct points, “mink” which many people are more familiar with and “pointed” which are much lighter coloured bodies and darker points, more like the Siamese.  The eyes are also different in colour. Sepia and more yellow/green, mink are aqua, and the pointed are blue but not the blue of a Siamese. Although Tonkinese should be a quite compact look they should look extremely elegant at times.