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(1,413 kb)
The Tonkinese is Canada's first claim to a pedigree cat. Developed in the 1960s by a Canadian breeder by crossbreeding Siamese and Burmese cats, the Tonkinese cat was officially recognized first by the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) and then, in 1984, by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) in the United States, the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats.
Tonkinese are medium-sized cats with short, glossy coats that are soft and mink-like. Their almond-shaped eyes are gold-green, blue or aqua. They are as intelligent and curious as the Siamese and as affectionate as the Burmese. Ideal companions for humans, they can even be trained to take walks on a leash.
The Cymric—whose name means 'Welsh' in the Welsh language—is another new breed of cat, officially recognized by the CCA in the 1970s. In the 1960s, selective breeding of the short-haired tail-less Manx, which originated on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, resulted in the long, silky-haired Cymric. Like the Manx, the Cymric is notable for its complete lack of a tail. With its strong hind legs, it is a great jumper and will bound around the house.
In 1994, the CFA accepted the name change from Cymric to long-hair Manx. This allows intermixing of short- and long-haired varieties, with the resultant kittens acceptable as one or the other breed. The CCA also accepts interbreeding of the two varieties, but kittens are registered as Cymric or Manx, depending on coat length.
Like the Tonkinese, the Cymric is gregarious and fun-loving. And like dogs, both breeds love interacting with people and retrieving objects for their owners.
In 1999, the Cymric and Tonkinese cats, along with the cougar and the Canada lynx, were featured on a four-piece set of Canadian silver 50-cent coins. The cougar (also known as the mountain lion or puma) is a shy animal found only in western parts of the continent. The Canada lynx, with its characteristic tufted ears and cheek ruffs, hunts in deep forests, where its large, padded paws prevent it from sinking into the snow.
More than one in two Canadian households have at least one pet. Estimates put Canada's cat population at 4 million, and the number of dogs at 3 million. In 1997, Canadian households spent an average of $263 on pets; rural dwellers spent more ($371) than those who lived in the city ($242). Over the course of a year, Canadians spend more than $1 billion on food, veterinary care and grooming for their pets.