As an experienced Tonkinese cat breeder, I'm fascinated by the diverse and stunning range of colours and patterns within the Tonkinese breed.
To make it easier to understand this is my explanation of the difference between colour and pattern.
A cats colour is determined by the colour of their points or extremities ie. tail ears face and feet
A cats pattern is determined by how much of their colour is on their overall body.
Points only have colour on their ears, face ,feet and tail and also they have blue eye colour.
Therefore I state points are similar to a Siamese cat in their pattern
Solids as the name explains have an all over colour like a Burmese cat does.
Minks are a happy medium between the point and solid and have beautiful aqua eyes and the Mink pattern is what Tonkinese are mostly recognised for.
A big thank you to Vincent at Anniesong Tonkinese in Queensland for allowing me to use this image!
Understanding the Subtle Differences: Seal, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Tonkinese Colours and their dilute colours Blue Lilac and Fawn
Seal
The colour known as 'Seal' holds a special place in the history of the Tonkinese breed and its Siamese and Burmese cousins. It's the darkest of the colours, a deep, rich hue that harks back to the origins of these elegant cats. Seal is the manifestation of the black gene interacting with the Himalayan gene, which gives rise to the distinctive 'points' marking on their fur.
I often explain the colour seal as the same colour as dark eating chocolate. It's a deep, almost black hue that exudes elegance and depth.
Lilac
'Lilac' is a colour that exudes warmth and softness, born from the combination of Chocolate with the dilution gene. It's a lighter shade than Blue, with a gentle warmth that hints at its Chocolate heritage. The points on a lilac solid remain distinct, adding a touch of elegance to this already beautiful colour.
We cherish the beauty and diversity of these colours, and we strive to ensure that each kitten we breed meets the highest standards of health and temperament and showcases the stunning visual traits that make the Tonkinese breed so captivating.
Cinnamon
True to its name, this colour resembles the warm, earthy tones of cinnamon powder, adding a unique spice to the Tonkinese palette.
Understanding these nuances helps our visitors appreciate the subtle beauty of each colour and choose the kitten that truly captures their hearts.
Fawn
This colour being the genetic dilute of Cinnamon can be very confusing as to me it doesn't appear to have any of the underlying red tones but I think its one of my favourite colours and is the lightest of all the colours. Often my visitors refer to my Fawn cats and kittens as ‘that white one’ as they have almost no colour on their points or body.
Blue
The 'Blue' colour in Tonkinese is a soft, subtle shade, resulting from combining the Seal colour with a dilution gene. Blue Tonkinese have a gentle, serene appearance, with their body and point colours blending seamlessly. This harmonious contrast can sometimes lead to a Blue-Mink being mistaken for a Blue-Solid, but to the discerning eye, each has its unique charm.
Chocolate
The 'Chocolate' colour is a testament to the rich diversity within the Tonkinese breed. Its non-pointed form is a lush, dark brown, but the Himalayan gene responsible for the points softens this intensity, creating a more delicate hue. The Chocolate Tonkinese are known for their striking contrast, particularly in the mink variety, where the points stand out vividly against the body colour.
I often explain this colour as the colour of milk eating chocolate.
Exploring the patterns of the Tonkinese Point Mink and Solid
A big thank you to Vincent at Anniesong Tonkinese in Queensland for allowing me to use this image!
In this chart each row represents a colour group, starting with the 'dense' colours:
Seal, Chocolate, and Cinnamon, followed by their lighter 'dilute' counterparts:
Blue (dilute Seal), Lilac (dilute Chocolate), and Fawn (dilute Cinnamon).
For each colour, there are three pattern variations: 'Point', with coloured extremities and a lighter body; 'Mink', a moderate blend where the body and extremities meet halfway in colour intensity; and 'Solid', where the colour is more uniformly distributed across the body.
The 'Point' pattern has the most contrast, with dark extremities and a pale body. The 'Mink' pattern is intermediate, offering a balance between colour and contrast, and 'Solid' presents the least contrast, with a richer, more even coat colour.
This visual guide aids in understanding the diversity within the Tonkinese breed and helps families find their preferred colour and pattern combination.