Standards

General  

The Tonkinese is moderate/medium in type, neither cobby nor svelte. The Tonkinese should give the overall impression of an alert, active, elegant cat with good muscular development. It has the mixed features of both its parent breeds, the Siamese and the Burmese.  The cat should be surprisingly heavy. While the breed is considered medium in size, balance and proportion are of greater importance. 

Points 

Head:  

25 

Shape  

Top of head 

The head is a modified slightly rounded wedge slightly longer than it is wide, with high gently planed cheekbones. Top of head is slightly convex. 

10 

Muzzle and chin 

The gentle muzzle is neither blunt, nor fine and as long as it is wide. There is a slight whisker break, gently curved, following the lines of the wedge. Strong chin. 

6 

Profile  

The profile is slightly indented at eye level. In profile the tip of the chin lines with the tip of the nose in the same vertical plane. There is a gentle rise from the tip of the nose to the profile break. There is a gentle contour with a slight rise from the profile break to the forehead. There is a slight convex curve to the forehead. 

9 

Eyes 

Slightly rounded, open almond shape. Set at a slight slant.
Eye colour:
Mink – even transparent aqua or turquoise
Colourpoint – intense blue
Solid (sepia) – green-gold to yellow-green. 

5 

Ears 

Medium size, broad at base, with rounded tips. Ears set as much on the sides of the head as on the top. The outer lines of the ears continue the line of the modified wedge. 

5 

Body: 

28 

Size and boning 

Medium size, intermediate boning between the elegance of the Siamese and the sturdiness of the Burmese. Rectangular format firm and muscular, neither short not elongated or foreign. Balance and proportion are more important than size alone. 

10 

Torso 

Torso medium in length, showing well-developed muscular strength without coarseness. Chest is of medium width, rounding gently in front, ribs slightly curved. Flanks level. Back rises slightly from shoulders to rump. 

11 

Neck 

Medium long. 

2 

Legs and paws 

Moderately slim, proportionate in length and bone to the body. Hind legs slightly longer than front. Paws more oval than round. 

5 

Tail 

Wider at base. Neither thick, nor whippy.  Tapering gently to a slightly blunted tip. 

2 

Coat: 

30 

Length 

Medium short. 

5 

Texture  

Soft and silky, close lying, with a lustrous sheen. 

10 

Colour 

All colours allowed in the Siamese are allowed, including tabby. In all colours, the lower part of the body is slightly lighter than the back. The body colour is clear, without any tabby stripes or markings in non-tabbies. The lighter body colour matches the point colour. The body colour is clearly lighter than the points in Mink. The contrast between the points and body is less defined in Solid (Sepia). The contrast between the much darker points and pale body is well defined in Pointed. 

15 

Condition  

See general part 

5 

Total  

100 

Special breed faults 

The cat being originally a cross between the Siamese and the Burmese, too much similarity to either of the original breeds is undesirable. 
Round or overly oriental eyes.
Definite stop. 

Without certificates 

Yellow eyes in mink colors.
Barring on body, tail or legs in non tabbies. 

Disqualify 

White locket or button. 
Crossed eyes.
Rapid oscillation of eyes (nystagmus). 

Remarks 

In kittens, slight ghost markings and an overall lighter body colour shall be tolerated. Allowance to be made for lighter body color in young cats, and for less contrast in older cats. With the dilute colors in particular, development of full body color may take up to 16 months. Cats do darken with age. 

Outcross 

None