Тонкинез мысығының сипаттамасы

Breed of cat

Tonkinese is a domestic cat breed produced by crossbreeding between the Siamese and Burmese. Members of the breed are distinguished by a pointed coat pattern in a variety of colors. In addition to the modified coat colors of the "mink" pattern, which is a dilution of the point color (as in watercolors), the breed is now being shown in the foundation like Siamese and Burmese colors: pointed with white and solid overall (sepia). The best known variety is the short haired Tonkinese, but there is a semi longhaired (sometimes called Tibetan) which tends to be more popular in Europe, mainly in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France.

The modern Tonkinese breed is a reconstruction of a breed brought to the West in the 19th century. These cats were originally known as 'chocolate Siamese'. In the West, Tonkinese cats under the age of sixth months have historically been referred to as "small cats" rather than "kittens" to reflect a more direct translation from Burmese, although this term has become almost obsolete since the mid 20th century.

The breed received championship status with the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1984. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) recognised the breed in 1991. Today the breed is recognised in most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Africa. Over 30 countries have Tonkinese cats featured on postage stamps.

Depending on the cat registry, not all colors and patterns are allowed for the Tonkinese cat breed. Tonkineses are currently officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and World Cat Federation (WCF) in only four base colors: black (brown, seal, natural), blue, chocolate (champagne), and lilac (platinum). All four base colors are allowed in the three colorpoint patterns. The GCCF accepts brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, and fawn, red, cream, plus caramel and apricot. These colors are allowed in the tortoiseshell and tabby patterns, and additionally the three colorpoint patterns.

Like both parent breeds, Tonkinese are active, vocal and generally people oriented cats, playful and interested in everything going on around them; however, this also means they are easily susceptible to becoming lonesome or bored. Their voice is similar in tone to the Burmese, persistent but softer and sweeter than the Siamese, similar to the gentle quacking of a duck. Like Burmese, Tonkinese are reputed to sometimes engage in such dog like behaviors as fetching, and to enjoy jumping to great heights.

In a review of over 5,000 cases of urate urolithiasis the Tonkinese was significantly under represented, with only one of the recorded cases belonging to the breed against a population of 365.

Tonkin is a crossbreed type, with coat color and pattern wholly dependent on whether individuals carry the Siamese or Burmese gene. Breeding two mink Tonkinese cats does not usually yield a full litter of mink kittens, as this intermediate pattern is the result of having one gene for the Burmese solid pattern and one for the Siamese pointed pattern. Colors and patterns in any litter depend both on statistical chance and the color genetics and patterns of the parents. Breeding between two mink patterned cats will, on average, produce half mink kittens and one quarter each pointed and sepia kittens. A pointed and a sepia bred together will always produce all mink patterned kittens. A pointed bred to a mink will produce half pointed and half mink kittens, and a sepia bred to a mink will produce half sepia and half mink kittens.