A breed of cat that is a hereditary cross between Siamese and Burmese cats, combining the intelligence and inquisitiveness of the former, and the sweet nature of the latter.
Whereas the Siamese will have a spirited conversation with you at 3:00 a.m., the Tonkinese will attach itself to your head and go to sleep purring.
Whereas the Siamese speaks in extended oratory, the Tonkinese speaks in sentences usually translated as "I'm hungry" and "You do love me, right?"
Whereas the Siamese knows itself to be your master, the Tonkinese -- unaware of its true power -- believes it to be your bud.
Tonks are friendly, adaptable and fearless cats who are only too happy to watch and participate when the ADSL installer comes in to fuss with your wiring. When having any wiring work done, Tonk owners should check and make sure that the installer is a cat lover, or at least extremely tolerant, and doesn't mind the help.