## The "perfect compromise"

The **Tonkinese** is a relatively recent but extraordinary breed. **Coat between Siamese and Burmese**, **unique turquoise blue eyes**, **balanced character**.

**What it is**:
- **Cross between Siamese × Burmese**.
- Established as a separate breed.
- "Best of both worlds".

**Characteristics**:
- Unique beauty.
- Balanced character.
- Increasingly popular.

## The history

**Origin**: **USA and Canada, 1960s-70s**.

**Conception**:
- Breeders sought to combine:
  - The beauty of the Siamese.
  - The character of the Burmese.

**Founder**:
- **Margaret Conroy** (Canada).

**Recognition**:
- Various registries in the 70s-80s.
- TICA, CFA.

**In Italy**:
- Rare breed.
- Some specialized breeders.

## Physical characteristics

**Size**: medium.

**Weight**:
- Males: 4-6 kg.
- Females: 3-4.5 kg.

**Body**:
- Between Siamese (slender) and Burmese (compact).
- Athletic, balanced.
- Muscular but not heavy.

**Head**:
- Moderate triangular.
- Not extreme like the modern Siamese.

**Eyes**:
- **Intense turquoise blue**:
- **Unique characteristic**.
- Not blue like Siamese, not gold like Burmese: "aqua green".

**Coat**:
- Short, shiny.
- Silky texture.

**Patterns**:

**Mink** (intermediate):
- Characteristic of the Tonkinese.
- Points shaded into the rest of the coat.

**Solid** (like Burmese):
- Uniform coat.

**Pointed** (like Siamese):
- Contrasted points.

**Colors**:
- Natural mink (brown).
- Champagne mink.
- Blue mink.
- Platinum mink.
- Siamese/Burmese variations.

**Lifespan**: 14-16 years.

## The character: the "perfect compromise"

### Aspects of the Siamese

**Extremely social**:
- "Dog-like cat".

**Vocal**:
- Communicates with the owner.

**Energetic**:
- Plays, explores.

### Aspects of the Burmese

**Affectionate**:
- Deep bonding.

**Balanced**:
- Not hyperactive.

**Dog-like cat**:
- Greets at the door.

### The result

**Tonkinese**:
- ✅ Calmer than the Siamese.
- ✅ More vocal than the Burmese.
- ✅ More athletic than the Burmese.
- ✅ Less vocal than the Siamese.

**Perfect balance**.

## Typical aspects

**Social**:
- Suitable for families with children.
- Good with other animals.

**Intelligent**:
- Learns tricks.
- Solves problems.

**Curious**:
- Explores.

**Affectionate**:
- "Loving stalker".
- Always nearby.

**Communicative**:
- Chirps, meows.
- Not as insistent as the Siamese.

## Care

### Coat

**Minimal care**:
- Weekly brushing.

### Feeding

- High-quality food.
- High protein.

### Exercise

**Moderate**:
- 30-45 minutes of play.

### Health

**Generally robust**.

**Predispositions**:
- **HCM** (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy): heart tests.
- **Gingivitis**: dental care.

**Lifespan**: 14-16 years.

## The cost

**Purchase**:
- Breeder: 1,500-3,000 €.
- Rare breed in Italy.

**Year 1**:
- Vaccinations, neutering, kit: 500-700 €.

**Annual**:
- High-quality food: 400-600 €.
- Veterinary: 200-400 €.
- Total: 600-1,000 €.

**Total life cost**: 9,000-20,000 €.

## The relationship with others

**With other cats**:
- Excellent.
- Ideally in pairs.

**With dogs**:
- Good.

**With children**:
- Excellent.

**With small animals**:
- Natural hunting instincts.

## The Tonkinese is perfect for those who...

**Suitable for**:
- Families.
- Apartment living.
- People present for many hours.
- Those looking for **balance between Siamese and Burmese**.
- A pair of cats.

**Not suitable for**:
- Singles who work all day (loneliness).
- Those looking for an "independent" cat.

## Comparison with Siamese/Burmese

| Aspect | Siamese | Tonkinese | Burmese |
|---------|---------|-----------|---------|
| Vocalization | High | Medium | Low |
| Athleticism | High | Medium | Medium |
| Affection | Hyper | Hyper | Hyper |
| Coat | Colorpoint | Mink | Sable |
| Eyes | Blue | Turquoise | Gold |
| Character | Hyper-active | Balanced | Calm |

**Tonkinese**: the perfect middle ground.

## Typical stories

**Positive story**:
- A family adopts a pair of Tonkinese.
- Social, active, serene cats.
- 15 years of companionship.

## Myths to debunk

**Myth 1**: "Tonkinese is just a 'cross' ".
**False**: recognized breed.

**Myth 2**: "Same as the Siamese".
**False**: more balanced.

**Myth 3**: "Difficult to find".
**True in Italy**: few breeders.

**Myth 4**: "Fragile health".
**False**: generally robust.

## The truth

The **Tonkinese** is one of the **most balanced cats**:

✅ **Unique appearance** (turquoise eyes).

✅ **"Perfect" character**.

✅ **Good health**.

✅ **Long lifespan**.

**Investment**: 1,500-3,000 €.

**Benefit**: 14-16 years of perfect companionship.

If you love Siamese but find them too vocal, love Burmese but find them too "uniform" in coat: the Tonkinese is your breed.

Look for specialized breeders. Rare in Italy, but they exist.

And those turquoise blue eyes will captivate you forever.