by M Dee Dubroff

Created on: October 12, 2006   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

An elegant cross between the Burmese and the Tonkinese, this breed was developed in Canada in the 1960s and was awarded championship status in 1984. Although relatively new as far as the time it has been around competing, this cat actually dates back to the Ayudha Period in Siam (1358-1767), and is depicted in "The Cat Book Poems of Siam." It is also sometimes known as the "Ancient Copper Cat of Southeast Asia." In the early 1800s, these cats were imported to England under the name of "Chocolate Siamese." In the Unites States, these cats can trace their lineage back to 1930, and Wong Mau, a small walnut-colored cat owned by Californian, Dr. Joseph Thompson.

These beautiful medium-sized cats make ideal companions and love to sit in laps or any other available place where petting and cuddling may occur. They are warm, loving ad highly intelligent with a memory and senses that are radar-like. Strong-willed creatures, it requires much persistence to train them. These cats are sharp and are known to invent their own games, although hide and seek remains an all time favorite between other Tonkinese and owners as well. They are natural born entertainers, and are considered by some owners to be part puppy, part monkey (in terms of their acrobatics) and part elephant (which is what they sometimes sound like while running amuck in search of love and attention).

Known for their blue-green almond-shaped eyes, the coat has a wonderful sheen, retaining the dark qualities of the Burmese coat and the darker points of the Tonkinese. The coat is exceptionally soft and dense, and can take up to sixteen months to achieve its true color. The coat comes in shades of Natural Mink, Blue Mink, Honey Mink, Champagne Mink and Platinum Mink.

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