Tag: thailand

Breed Profiles

Tonkinese: The Best of Both Worlds

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Meredith Hemphill

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Chocolate point Tonkinese cat
Photo by Stephanie Lauren from FreeImages

Tonkinese cats, affectionately known as Tonks, are a crossbreed of two popular color-point cats. They were conceived as a breed that would be the best of both, and their fans say they are exactly that. With origins in Thailand, England, Canada, and New Jersey, these globetrotting cats like nothing more than a welcoming home and a warm lap.

History

It is often said that the Tonkinese was first recognized in The Cat Poems, or Tamra Maew, which may have first been composed as long ago as the 12th century, according to The International Maew Boran Association (TIMBA). However, TIMBA reports that the Tamra Maew does not feature a cat matching the characteristics of the Tonkinese [8]. Instead, the Tamra Maew shows the parent breeds of the Tonkinese: the Siamese and Burmese [8].

Tonkinese cats are a cross between a Siamese and a Burmese, and all of the above occurred naturally in Thailand to begin with [8]. Tonks were probably imported to Britain in the 1880s as “chocolate Siamese,” but they were not recognized as a separate breed [2, 3, 10, 11]. The first time Tonks were intentionally bred was during the 1950s and early 1960s [1-3, 6, 9, 10]. Cat fanciers Jane Barletta of New Jersey and Margaret Conroy of Ontario collaborated to establish the breed [2, 7, 10]. The Canadian Cat Association was the first to recognize the breed in 1971, using the standard written by Barletta [10].

Breed Characteristics

Appearance

Tonkinese cats have an appearance that is intermediate between the two parents breeds, although their traits vary along a spectrum from more Siamese-like to more Burmese-like. Tonks have a color-point pattern, like both parent breeds, but they can have three different variations of color-point patterning. This is because Siamese and Burmese cats have two different partial, temperature-sensitive albinism genes that both give them color-points [6]. Siamese cats have two copies of the recessive cs version of the gene which causes high-contrast color-points [6]. Burmese cats have two copies of the recessive cb version which causes low-contrast color-points, almost a solid-colored pelt [6].

Because Tonkinese cats are a cross between these two breeds, they can have three combinations: cs cs, cb cb, or cs cb [6]. If they have the cs cs genotype, their pattern will look like a Siamese cat’s, and this is called “point” in Tonks [6]. If they have cb cb, they will have the Burmese pattern which is called “solid,” although it isn’t quite a solid color [6]. The cs cb genotype produces a coloration called “mink,” which is the preferred coloration in Tonkinese [6]. It has a darker body color than a Siamese but lighter than a Burmese.

Eye color in Tonkinese is coordinated with their pattern. Point cats tend to have blue eyes like Siamese, and solids have chartreuse eyes inherited from the Burmese. Minks have striking aquamarine eyes. [2, 3, 7, 9] Coat color is even more variable. There are four traditional show colors: platinum/lilac, champagne/chocolate, natural/black, and blue [2, 3, 5, 6, 9]. However, the breed can also come in other colors and even have tabby and tortoiseshell points [1, 4, 7].

The Tonk body type is intermediate between the svelte, angular Siamese and the stocky Burmese. They are slim yet muscular, with a head that is gently wedge-shaped. [1, 4, 7] Their muzzle is short with an angle to the nose that comes from the Burmese side [1, 4]. Their fur is short, silky, and dense [1-4, 7, 9, 11]. Purrfect for petting!

Personality

The Tonkinese is a highly social and affectionate breed [1-3, 5, 7, 9, 10]. They are very playful but also love to snuggle [2, 3, 5, 7, 10]. They do not, however, like to be alone [2, 3, 5, 10]. Fortunately, Tonks tend to get along with everyone, including children and other animals, so if you have another pet to be their friend, they won’t be lonely while you’re away [2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11].

Like their Siamese forebears, Tonks are smart and curious, which can lead them into trouble, especially if they get bored [2, 3, 7, 11]. They are known for their knack for opening doors [11]. Keep these active cats occupied with puzzle toys, plenty of interactive playtime, and maybe even teaching them tricks [2, 5, 9, 11]. They also have some of the talkativeness of Siamese, so be ready for lots of lively conversations [2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11]!

Tonk Life

Perhaps the hardest thing about caring for a Tonkinese is making sure you catproof the house before you get one [3, 10]. You should do that for any cat, but as Tonks are both active and particularly inquisitive, just moving things to a high shelf may not be enough.

Tonks require very little grooming. Their coat is of a quality that they can pretty much take care of it themselves. However, their pelt can benefit from a weekly brushing to remove loose hair. [1-5, 9, 11] Your clothes and furniture will benefit, as well.

Tonkinese are a generally healthy breed, but there are some health problems that crop up from time to time. Tonks are prone to gingivitis, so it is a good idea to start brushing their teeth as kittens so it doesn’t become a necessary but horrible battle later in life [2, 5, 9]. This breed can also be sensitive to anesthesia [9]. Irritable Bowel Disease is more common in Tonks as well [2, 5]. If you have concerns about your cat’s health, always consult your veterinarian.

Remember, even purebred cats end up in shelters and rescues, so adopt, don’t shop, for your new best friend! If you are in the U.S., this Facebook group is specifically for people looking to rescue a Tonkinese.

Fun Facts

  • The Tonkinese was named after either the Tonkin region or the Bay of Tonkin in Vietnam. It has nothing to do with the cat, but the choice of name may have been related to the Vietnam War. [2, 9, 10]
  • The largest litter of kittens ever born was to a Tonkinese cat–19 kittens! The average for a queen is 5. [2]
  • According to J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World website, the 2nd most popular Patronus is a Tonkinese Cat. This may indicate that the witch or wizard is “a curious and loving person.” [12]

Works Cited

  1. Alderton, D. (1992). Cats: The visual guide to more than 250 types of cats from around the world. Dorling Kindersley: London.
  2. Braaksma, H. (n.d.). Tonkinese. DailyPaws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/tonkinese
  3. Cat Fanciers’ Association. (n.d.). About the Tonkinese. CFA. https://cfa.org/tonkinese/
  4. Edwards, A. (2006). The ultimate encyclopedia of cat, cat breeds, and cat care. Hermes House: London.
  5. Fratt, K. (2019, July 23). Tonkinese: Cat breed profile. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/tonkinese-cat-full-profile-history-and-care-4694353
  6. Martino, L. (n.d.). Tonkinese genetics: Color, coat pattern, and eye color. Tonkinese Breed Association. https://www.tonkinesebreedassociation.org/tonkgenetics.html
  7. The International Cat Association. (2018, August 13). Tonkinese breed. TICA. https://www.tica.org/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=884:tonkinese-breed&catid=79
  8. The International Maew Boran Association. (n.d.). Thai Tonkinese. TIMBA. http://www.timba.org/thaitonkinese.html
  9. Thornton, K. C. (2017, August 14). Let’s talk about the Tonkinese cat. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cats-101/lets-talk-about-the-tonkinese-cat
  10. Tonkinese. (n.d.). PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/cat/breeds/c_ct_tonkinese
  11. Tonkinese. (n.d.). VCAHospitals. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/tonkinese
  12. Wizarding World Team. (2019, November 25). What your Patronus says about you. Wizarding World. https://www.wizardingworld.com/features/what-your-patronus-says-about-you

Published November 14, 2021

Breed Profiles

Havana Brown: Chocolate Delights

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Brown cat with green eyes
Havana Browns are a rare and exquisite breed – Photo by Dave Scelfo on Wikimedia Commons

The Havana Brown is a cat that cast quite a spell over a corner of the cat fancy, but it nearly went extinct in the late 20th century. Without careful maintenance, it still might, and these chocolate-coated beauties would be lost to future cat lovers.

History

Intercontinental Origins

Solid, or “self,” brown cats, while somewhat uncommon, have existed for a very, very long time. Images and descriptions of self-brown cats were included in the Tamra Maew, the Cat-Book Poems, which were written in Thailand as early as 1350 B.C. (1, 2). As a breed, however, they are a more recent development.

When the forebears of modern Siamese cats were first imported to England from Siam/Thailand, self-brown cats were included among them (2, 3). The Tamra Maew describes the Thai brown cats, named Suphalak or Thong Daeng, as copper-colored with eyes the color of pomegranates (1). The skin of Thai pomegranates is golden yellow, not red as in many other locales (1). There are records of self-brown cats being shown in English cats shows in the late 1800s (4, 5). We can imagine a cat rather like a Suphalak or a solid brown Siamese.

After a while, the self-brown cats fell out of favor. The Siamese Cat Club of Britain issued a statement in 1920, saying “the club much regrets it is unable to encourage the breeding of any but blue-eyed Siamese” (3, 4, 6). It’s thought that this caused the decline in self-brown cats. Fewer of them had blue eyes than the pointed Siamese, and those without blue eyes were excluded from shows and no longer bred (2-4, 6).

To the Brink and Back

In the 1950s, a group of British cat breeders set about to create self-brown cats and determine how the trait is inherited. There is some debate whether the first successful breeding was intentional or accidental (7), but the breeders kept meticulous records of all the matings and kittens in their programs, so we know what happened either way (6). Mrs. Munroe-Smith, owner of Elmtower Cattery, had a black Domestic Shorthair she-cat named Elmtower Susannah and a seal-point Siamese tom named Elmtower Tombee (6). Both carried the trait for chocolate fur, and when they mated–whether by human intention or not–they produced a self-brown tom kitten (2, 3, 6).

Elmtower Bronze Idol, born 1952, was the first Havana Brown to be registered, but more kittens soon followed (4-7). Although black Domestic Shorthairs and seal-point Siamese were the most common and successful contributors to the breed, chocolate-point Siamese and Russian Blues are part of their background as well (2-6). The very new breed was imported to the United States within a few years (2, 5, 6, 8). In England, Havana Browns continued to be bred back to Siamese, causing them to become less and less distinctly their own breed and eventually morph into a variety of Oriental Shorthair (3-6). In North America, the foundation type has been retained, and the Havana Brown remains a distinct breed (3-6).

Unfortunately, part of what has made that possible is a small gene pool. The Cat Fancier’s Association cut the Havana Brown off from outcrossing to other breeds in 1974, too soon according to many breeders (2, 4). Their fears were borne out as Havana Brown numbers and genetic diversity dwindled, and breeders struggled to keep the breed alive without damaging the health of the kittens they were breeding (2, 4).

Under pressure from breeders, in 1998 the Cat Fanciers’ Association opened up an out-crossing program that allows Havana Browns to be crossed to black or blue Domestic Shorthairs, most colors of Oriental Shorthair, and seal- or chocolate-point Siamese (2, 3, 9, 8). Kittens of a Havana Brown and an allowable out-cross are bred back to a Havana Brown, and the kittens thus produced can be registered as Havana Browns if they meet the standard (2, 3, 9). These efforts have so far helped bring the Havana Brown a few paces back from the brink of extinction, but they remain extremely rare, and there is still a significant risk of losing this breed for good (2).

Breed Characteristics

As I have made abundantly clear, Havana Browns are famous for their rich, brown coat. Their fur is short to medium in length, with a texture said to resemble mink (8, 9). Although all brown cats are referred to as “chocolate” in the cat fancy, Havana Browns tend toward more of a red-brown/mahogany hue (1, 2, 5, 8, 9). Brown coat color is a recessive genetic trait, which is why early breeders could only achieve brown cats when both parents carried an allele for brown coloration.

The Havana Brown’s eyes are vivid green. Although the Russian Blue is thought to have played a fairly minor role in creating the Havana Brown, it is interesting to note that while the Suphalak had amber eyes and the Siamese has blue eyes, the end result of the program has green.

Havana Browns are medium-sized cats with medium builds. They have a distinctive head shape, longer than it is wide. The muzzle appears a bit square. The shape is, amusingly, described as a “corn cob” stuck on the front of the cat’s otherwise rather triangular head (5, 7-9). I can see it, although I feel like that is not the most dignified thing one could say about a cat’s face.

A Havana Brown’s nose leather is rosy-brown, and their paw pads a.k.a toe beans are rose-toned (2, 3, 8, 9). The whiskers are also brown. In fact, the Havana Brown is the only breed wherein whisker color is part of the breed standard (3).

When it comes to personality, Havana Browns are a very kitten-ish bunch. They are playful, friendly, and people-oriented. While not a wildly active breed, they love their toys and playtime. They also love attention and spending time with their people. This is not a breed that does well spending a lot of time alone. They do, however, get along well with children and other pets. Sometimes they can be shy of strangers, though, so don’t rush the introductions.

While most cats scatter at the sound of a sudden crash, Havanas run toward the sound to see what caused it.

Richard C. Bilello, Havana Brown breeder

Havana Browns, like many breeds in the Siamese family, can be talkative, but they have much quieter voices than Siamese cats do (3, 8, 9). They also have an adorable habit of engaging the world with their paws. They investigate objects with their paws and even poke people or tap them on the shoulder to demand attention (2, 5, 8-10)! These intelligent and inquisitive cats are quite charming. Their need for attention and enthusiasm for, well, most things might be too much for some, but these cats are highly adaptable and do well with families.

Health and Home

One advantage of owning a Havana Brown is their low-maintenance coat, which needs very little grooming unless you intend to show them. They require no bathing and just need an occasional brush to remove dead hair, especially during shedding seasons. Fortunately, these cats are not heavy shedders (8, 9, 10).

Close-up of Havana cigars
Havana Brown cats may have been named after their resemblance to the brown of Cuban cigars – Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay

Breeds that are rare and/or new have the least health information available, and the Havana Brown is a lot of the former and a little of the latter. As best as is known, it is a breed that experiences few health problems. They do seem to have a higher incidence of upper respiratory infections (3) and crystals in the urinary tract (10). Both of these conditions can be life-threatening if allowed to progress too far but are absolutely treatable. Always take your cat to the vet if they are showing any unusual symptoms. Cats hide their distress, so even a little change is worth asking the veterinarian about, just in case.

Havana Browns can be prone to overeating (4, 7). According to breeder Richard Bilello, “Havanas will eat all of their own food in seconds and then proceed to eat any other cat’s food if they can” (4). So you will probably need to control their portions and feed any other cats in the household separately.

If you would like a Havana Brown of your own, keep in mind that these are very, very rare cats. I will always say “adopt, don’t shop.” Of course, there are going to be few of these cats in shelters because there are few period. But even nearly-extinct purebred cats are sometimes surrendered, so always check if there is one up for adoption before buying from a breeder. The website https://havanabrown.rescueme.org/ showcases Havana Browns in need of forever homes in the United States. You can also visit their Facebook page for more listings.

Fun Facts

  • The Havana Brown got its name either from the Havana rabbit or the tobacco in Cuban cigars (5, 6). Both are similar in color to the cat’s fur.
  • This breed has gone by many names. Aside from those already mentioned: Swiss Mountain Cat, Chestnut Brown, Chestnut Foreign Shorthair, Havana (3-5, 7, 10).
  • In some places it is called simply the Havana because a lilac (pink-ish grey) version of the cat is accepted as well as chocolate (5, 10).
  • While North American breeders are trying to preserve the Havana Brown, the International Maew Boran Association is hard at work in Thailand trying to bring back the Suphalak (1).

Works Cited

  1. The International Maew Boran Association. (n.d.). Suphalak/Thong Daeng. http://www.timba.org/suphalak.html
  2. Petfinder. (n.d.). Havana. https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/havana-brown/
  3. Cat Time. (n.d.). Havana Brown. TotallyHer Media, LLC. https://cattime.com/cat-breeds/havana-brown-cats#/slide/1
  4. Bilello, R.C. (1998). The Havana Brown: A brown delight and an endangered species. The Cat Fanciers’ Association. https://cfa.org/havana-brown/havana-brown-article-1998/
  5. The International Cat Association. (2018, August 13). Havana Brown. TICA.org. https://www.tica.org/nl/breeds/browse-all-breeds?view=article&id=842:havana-breed&catid=79
  6. Placchi, N. (1991, May). The cat in a not so plain brown wrapper. Cat Fancier’s Almanac, 8(5). As reproduced on the CFA Havana Brown Breed Council Website, http://www.havanabrowncfabc.com/History1.htm
  7. Hill’s Pet. (n.d.). Havana Brown cat: Information and personality traits. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/cat-breeds/havana-brown
  8. Cat Fanciers’ Association. (n.d.). About the Havana Brown. https://cfa.org/havana-brown/
  9. Cat Fanciers’ Association Havana Brown Breed Council. http://www.havanabrowncfabc.com/index.htm
  10. Houle, T. (n.d.). The Havana Brown. Pet Health Network. https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-breeds/havana-brown
Breed Profiles

Siamese: Thai Temple Cats

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Meredith Hemphill

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Encyclopaedia Felidae now has a Patreon! Go to www.patreon.com/EncyclopaediaFelidae if you want to help support this content!

Siamese cats may be one of the most recognizable breeds today, but for centuries they were one of Thailand’s best kept secrets. They stalked the halls of Thai palaces and temples at a time when the country was still known as Siam, hence their name. Siamese cats are believed to have occurred naturally in Thailand and later been selectively bred for certain traits. Though Siamese cats only began to spread outside Thailand during the late 1800s, they have quickly become one of the most popular breeds of cats in the world.

Siamese kitten
Siamese kittens are born white – Photo by TaniaVdB on Pixaby

Siamese cats are easily recognized by their long, lithe, and angular bodies, as well as their color-point patterning which arose in the Thai cat population as a genetic mutation. It causes cats to have a light background color, ranging from white to tan, with darker coloration on the ears, face, paws, and tail. Kittens are born white and their points darken as they age. Many cat show organizations, including the Cat Fanciers Association, only recognize seal (dark brown-black), chocolate, blue, and lilac points, but almost any color of point is possible, including patterned points, i.e. tabby.

Siamese cats have long, slim bodies with wedge-shaped heads and large, triangular ears. Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs, and they have small, dainty, oval-shaped paws. Their almond-shaped eyes are a vibrant blue, one of their most alluring and unusual traits. They occasionally have crossed eyes or kinked tails. These are harmless deformities that were once very prominent in the breed but which breeders have tried to eliminate, with only partial success.

It is commonly believed that Siamese cats have been bred to have a more thin, angular, and generally extreme shape in more recent years, and that the original breed that arose in Thailand had a more moderate body plan and rounder face. There are still Siamese cats being bred to this form today. Sometimes they are recognized as a separate breed, called the Thai. Other times they are referred to as “traditional” or “applehead” Siamese cats.

Lilac-point siamese cat
Sleepy blue eyes – Photo by TaniaVdB on Pixaby

Siamese cats have a rich history in their native Thailand. They are thought to be a very old breed, but exactly how old is uncertain. The Tamra Maew manuscript, called The Cat Poems in English, was discovered in a royal Buddhist temple and depicts lucky and unlucky cats (1). One of the lucky cats has a white body and dark or black tail, ears, paws, and mask (1). Manuscripts such as these were handwritten on palm-leaves or bark, which would become fragile with age and need to be painstakingly copied periodically.

The Cat Poems originated in Ayutthaya, a city which was later destroyed, but some of the manuscripts from its temple survived and were taken to Bangkok, including The Cat Poems (1). The copy of the Tamra Maew which was discovered has been dated to between 1840 and 1850 by The International Maew Boran Association (TIMBA) but research suggests that it may date to the Khmer Empire (802 to 1432), making Siamese cats a very old breed indeed (1).

Thai legends account for the crooked tails and crossed eyes that used to be so common to the breed (2). One tells of a princess who was bathing in a river. She feared that her rings would be lost in the swift current, but her favorite cat was close at hand, as usual, so she placed her rings on its tail for safekeeping (2). The loyal cat made sure to keep the rings on its tail, but it had a little kink in its tail forever after (2). In another tale, pun intended, a royal guard cat is tasked with watching over a gold goblet (2). The cat wraps its tail tightly around the stem of the goblet so it can’t let its charge out of its sight (2). The determined guard proceeds to watch the goblet so long and with such fierce focus that it goes cross-eyed (2).

These stories also allude to the personality of Siamese cats which are a very people-oriented and loyal breed. Highly social and intelligent, this is one breed that does not like to be left alone and does best if they have a similarly playful friend to keep them occupied while their human is at work. Siamese cats get along well with other cats as well as dogs and children. They just want to be friends. And they want someone to talk to. Siamese are well known for being “talkers,” with a loud, unique meow that they use all the time to tell you about everything.

These cats are very affectionate. They like to follow their people around to see what they’re doing or just cuddle and tell you about their day. Because they are so intelligent, Siamese cats can get bored, and therefore get into trouble. Giving them puzzle toys or taking them on walks to give their brains as well as their bodies something to do is a good idea.

Siamese tom showing off the breed’s distinctive voice

Siamese cats have a short, fine-textured coat that requires very little grooming, only a weekly combing. As they are attention sponges, they usually enjoy being groomed. Dental care may need to be more intensive. The wedge shape of their heads makes Siamese cats prone to periodontal disease, so daily brushing is recommended. This is easiest when begun as a kitten. Weekly brushing or other dental care options are less effective but may still do the trick. Consult a vet to see what your cat needs. The shape of their heads also increases the risk of respiratory problems. The breed carries a risk of developing eye problems, such as retinal atrophy or glaucoma, heart problems, and bladder stones. These conditions are more likely later in life.

The enduring popularity of Siamese cats makes a lot of sense. They are a friendly and beautiful breed with a lot to say for themselves. They make excellent family pets because they get along so well with other pets and children. While a chatty cat isn’t for everyone, its clear that many people, including Thai royalty, love this special feline.

Fun Facts

  • The Siamese was one of the original breeds recognized by the CFA when it was founded in 1906.
  • Siamese cats first arrived in the United States in 1878 when one was gifted to President Rutherford B. Hayes’s wife, Lucy, by a diplomat. The cat was named, very creatively, “Siam.”
  • The Siamese may have been displayed at the first major cat show in 1871 at London’s Crystal Palace. A journalist with Harper’s Weekly described the breed as “an unnatural, nightmare kind of cat.”
  • A pair of Siamese cats alerted their owner to the presence of Russian espionage in the 1960s (3). Dutch ambassador Henri Heib was woken up by his yowling cats scratching at the wall in the middle of the night as he slept in the embassy in Moscow, possibly when the 30 hidden microphones turned on and made a noise only the cats could hear (3). The ambassador chose to leave the bugs in his apartment, and he and his wife used them to manipulate their eavesdroppers into doing favors for them such as getting packages unstuck from customs (3).
  • The Thai name for the native Siamese breed is “wichienmaat,” which means “gold diamond.”

Works Cited

  1. The International Maew Boran Association. (2020). http://www.timba.org/
  2. Geyer, G.A. (2004). When cats reigned like kings: On the trail of the sacred cats. Andrews McMeel Publishing.
  3. Reuter. (1964, May 26). Microphone revealed by cats: Ambassador made use of it. The Glasgow Herald, p. 9.

Published January 30, 2020

Updated June 4, 2021