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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+9
Cats
# The Tonkinese: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Canada
A lively, affectionate and very sociable cat, born from the Siamese and the Burmese.
Size MediumLife expectancy 15–20 yearsBudget ≈ €65/monthKitten €700 – €950
[Find a breeder 4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-tonkinese) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-cat-breeds?races=tonkinese)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Which cat is right for you?](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-cat)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Excellent
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Vocalization Talkative
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He readily seeks closeness, cuddles, and participation in household life.
- Sociable: He generally gets along well with children, cats, and other pets.
- Intelligent and playful: He enjoys interactions, quickly understands the household routines, and likes to be stimulated.
- Doesn't tolerate solitude well: A Tonkinese left alone for too long can get bored and become more clingy or frustrated.
- Needs stimulation: Without games, company, and an enriched environment, it may lack daily activities.
- Rare breed: Its limited availability can make it harder to find a reputable breeder in France.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families often at home: Its sociability and fondness for contact make it an excellent companion for a committed household.
- Enriched apartment living: It adapts well to indoor living if the environment offers games, height, and daily interactions.
- Households with other animals: Its good temperament often makes cohabitation with fellow animals or other companions easier.
Not recommended for
- People who are often absent: It does not cope well with long days without company or sufficient stimulation.
- Households with little availability: This is not a cat suited to a distant relationship or an environment with few interactions.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
28 cmTonkinese
- Height at the withers
- 25–30 cm
- Weight
- 2–5 kg
- Coat
- Short, fine and silky
- Origin
- Canada
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Tonkinese in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Tonkinese is a breed created in North America in the 1960s by crossing the Siamese and the Burmese, two breeds with Southeast Asian roots. Its selection developed mainly in Canada and the United States, where its qualities as a companion cat quickly won people over. Long appreciated for its intermediate coat shades and its often aquamarine eyes, it is still today more widespread in Canada and the United States than in Europe, where it remains relatively rare.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Tonkinese is a medium-sized cat with an athletic, harmonious and well-muscled body, without heaviness. Its bone structure is fine, its head forms a softened triangle longer than it is wide, its ears are fairly large and slightly tilted forward, and its almond-shaped eyes can be blue, amber or aquamarine depending on the coat. Its coat is short, fine, silky and lying close to the body, with colourpoint, mink or sepia patterns accepted according to the standard.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
The Tonkinese is an expressive cat, very attached to its home and particularly close to its human. Affectionate, playful and intelligent, it readily seeks interaction and does not cope well with indifference or long absences. Its balanced temperament, inherited from the Siamese and the Burmese, makes it a warm, curious and adaptable companion.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Easy to train Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Tonkinese likes to take part in household life, follow its human and join in games. It generally gets along very well with children, other cats and pets when it is properly socialized. Active without being excessive, it needs stimulation, company and accessories to climb, observe and expend energy in order to avoid boredom.
Training
## Training and socialization
The Tonkinese responds well to gentle, consistent training that is rich in interactions. Its quick-witted nature makes it possible to quickly teach it the rules of the house, the use of accessories and small stimulation exercises. Harsh methods should be avoided, because this sensitive cat progresses mainly thanks to routine, play and positive reinforcement.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Tonkinese
The Tonkinese remains a fairly rare breed, which can influence the price level and the availability of kittens. Beyond the purchase price, it is important to assess the quality of the breeding, socialization, health monitoring and transparency about lineage before any adoption.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/tonkinese/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Tonkinese is renowned for its great robustness and can live a long time when it benefits from an appropriate diet, regular veterinary follow-up and a stimulating environment. It rarely falls ill, but like any cat it must be monitored seriously throughout its life.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/tonkinese/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Tonkinese’s diet must be adapted to its age, its activity, its body condition and its physiological status. As it is a lively and muscular cat, nutritional quality matters as much as the quantity served on a daily basis.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/tonkinese/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Tonkinese is often described as a happy medium between the Siamese and the Burmese, both in appearance and temperament. It has long been associated with the mink coat and its highly sought-after aquamarine eyes, even though the standard also accepts other eye shades depending on the coats. Despite its obvious qualities as a companion cat, it still remains relatively rare in France.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Tonkinese
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Tonkinese an affectionate cat?
Yes, the Tonkinese is known for being very close to its human, demonstrative, and in need of daily interactions. It is particularly suited to households that are present and attentive.
### Can the Tonkinese live in an apartment?
Yes, it adapts well to apartment living provided it has vertical space, toys, playtime, and sufficient presence to avoid boredom.
### Does the Tonkinese get along with other animals?
In general, yes. It is a sociable cat that gets along well with its fellow cats and other pets when it has been properly socialized and introductions are gradual.
## Find a Tonkinese breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Tonkinese breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Tonkinese breeders by country
[4 breeders of Tonkinese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-tonkinese) [1 breeder of Tonkinese in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-tonkinese/germany)
[All breeders of Tonkinese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-tonkinese)
## Ready to welcome a Tonkinese?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-tonkinese)
## Discover other breeds
[Burmese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/burmese)
[Siamese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/siamese)
[Bombay
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/bombay)
[Burmilla
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/burmilla)
[Snowshoe
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/snowshoe)
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