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Loeloeraai Tonkinese-Breeder
of South Africa's FIRST Pedigree Tonkinese
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THE COLOUR-COORDINATED CAT |
 The
TONKINESE BREED Contrary to general opinion, have been bred for
a number of years (over 30 in the USA). The Tonkinese is NOT
a hybrid and the idea that breeding Tonkinese results in Burmese and
Siamese progeny is quite wrong. The foundation dam of the Burmese breed,
Wong Mau, was herself a Tonkinese, and this type and colour of cat is
quite common in some Asian countries. In "Genetics of the Burmese
Cat Journal of Heredity 1933" by JC Thompson, VC Cobb, CE Keeler and
M Omytryk it is stated (Wong Mau's) body confirmation and behavior were
typical of native Malay cat stocks, best represented  by
the Siamese variety". This, however, is not true, since Siamese are
relatively uncommon in such areas, and the native stocks are either
Blue, Brown, Tabby or Torti in appearance, although frequently they
have blue eyes, foreign shorthair confirmation, and certainly Siamese
type voices. This report was published in 1933 long before the Korat
was recognized, although these colours were certainly present in the
cat population. Thompson throughout his articles refers to progeny of
Wong Mau as Burmese and Siamese, although we now know that in fact this
progeny were the same as we now get in Tonkinese breeding. At that time
nothing was known of the specific genetics of this progeny although
Leila Volk of Honolulu reported that what appeared to be a fifth allele
was segregating out when she used these cats with her Siamese. Many
Tonkinese breeders believe that this 'fifth' allele lies between c5
c4 and is an actual gene for Tonkinese. |
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THE COLOUR CO-ORDINATED CAT!!! Often referred to as the colour-coordinated cat, Tonkinese colouring is unique. They are the only pointed cats having a body colour that is a lighter shade of the point colour and the only breed with true Aqua eyes. Tonkinese come in TEN recognized colours in South Africa, Brown Mink, Blue Mink, Chocolate Mink, Lilac Mink, Cinnamon Mink, Fawn Mink,Red Mink, Cream Mink, Caramel Mink and Apricot Mink! And all these colours in the Tabby and Tortoiseshell Mink.
Within each colour are three variations of expression: Pointed, Mink and Solid, each showing varying degrees of body and point colour contrast. The Mink-coloured cats carry one pointed (Cs) and one solid (Cb) colour gene. The Pointed carry two pointed (Cs) genes and the Solids carry two solid (Cb) genes. The three varieties are often indistinguishable to all but breeders. The cats all share the same body confirmation: intermediate, neither cobby or svelte. The Tonkinese gives the overall impression of an alert, active cat with good muscular development and surprising weight. It's head is a modified wedge-neither long and sharply wedge-shaped nor round and short, the modified wedge is slightly round with gently sloping planes. The Tonkinese coat is short, silky and close lying, requiring minimal grooming. |
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Tonkinese are generally healthy cats that are easy to care for. They require and demand love and companionship from those who surround them. They are a continual source of enjoyment and entertainment for their owners. With minimum care and maximum affection, a Tonkinese will remain a playful companion for many years! Back - Next - Loeloeraai Land - Breed Program - Loeloeraai Ladies & Gentleman -The"Twins"- Loeloeraai Love Bunny - Loeloeraai Lap Lizards - Webring - Standard - LOELOERAAI NURSERY page updated 16/06/02 |
The
TONKINESE
The
3 colour expressions - Brown Mink -Brown Pointed - Brown Solid
