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Sphynx vs Tonkinese Cat Breed Comparison

"Find similarities and differences between Sphynx vs Tonkinese" Compare Sphynx and Tonkinese. Which is better: Sphynx or Tonkinese?
 
 
 
Name Sphynx Tonkinese
OriginsCanada flagCanada Canada flagCanada
Cat Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group Mutation Crossbreed
Popularity Rank618
Reviews00
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Canadian Hairless, Canadian Sphynx Tonk
Price
Which one is cheaper, Sphynx vs Tonkinese cat?
$1800 to $3000 $600 to $1000
Cost Of Ownership High Moderate
Breed Recognition The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) 		The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)

Sphynx vs Tonkinese Size, Appearance and Physical Traits Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Sphynx or Tonkinese cat?
Small
The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down.
Small
The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down.
Weight
Which is heavier, Sphynx or Tonkinese cat?
Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 9 pounds Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 8 pounds
Bite ForceWeak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI Weak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI
Body Type Foreign (Oriental)
Sphynx have a slender, elongated body with a narrow chest and long legs.
 Semi-foreign
Tonkinese have a moderate build, more elongated than cobby cats but not as slender as foreign cats.
Ear Shape Large
Pointed
Wide-set 		Pointed
Medium
Wide-set
Eye Color Green
Blue 		Blue
Hair Color and Pattern Hairless or with a light downy coat; skin can be any colour or pattern, including solid, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor, tricolor, and colorpoint. Mink pattern, which is a combination of Siamese colorpoint and Burmese solid colours; base coat is cream or fawn with coloured points on ears, face, paws, and tail; point colours include natural (sable), champagne, blue, and platinum.
Coat
What is the difference between Sphynx and Tonkinese coats?
Hairless Medium-short
Leg Lenght Medium Medium
Whisker Length Medium Medium
Musculature Muscular Slender
Head Shape Triangular Round
Toe Count 5 front
4 back 		5 front
4 back
Eye Shape And Orientation Large and Prominent Oval
Night Vision
Paw Size Medium Medium
Nose Structure Long and Narrow Straight
Neck Length Medium Medium
Fur Texture Silky
Long 		Silky
Long
Bone Density Medium Medium
Flexibility
High
High
Bone Structure Fine Slender
Fine
Tail Length Long and Tapered Long and Tapered
Sleep Patterns Moderate Sleep Active
Less Sleep

Sphynx vs Tonkinese Special Abilities Comparison

Attention Span Long, social and energetic Long, social and playful
Guarding Instinct Low Moderate
Protection Instincts Low Moderate
Climbing Ability Low Moderate
Jumping Ability Moderate Good
Swimming Ability Poor Poor
Water Affinity
Rescue Capability Poor Poor

Sphynx vs Tonkinese Health Comparison

Litter Size 4-6 Kittens 4-6 Kittens
Special Needs High grooming
Sensitive skin 		Affectionate
Vocal
Requires attention
Breeding Requires careful genetic management, small to moderate litter size Requires grooming knowledge, small to moderate litter size
Dietary Preferences High protein, low carbs Low fat, high fiber
Solo Time Tolerance High Medium
Noise Sensitivity Low Low
Genetic Diversity Low Low
Sensitivity To Changes
High sensitivity
High sensitivity
Food Motivation Low Moderate
Feeding Schedule Two or more small meals a day Three times a day
Morning, Afternoon, and Evening
Maintenance Level Moderate Low
Exercise Needs Medium Medium
Life Expectancy
Do Sphynx cats live longer than Tonkinese?
12-14 years 14-16 years
Energy Level
Which is more energetic, Sphynx vs Tonkinese cat?
The Sphynx cat has an average energy level.
The Tonkinese cat has a very high energy level.
Hypoallergenic
Which cat is hypoallergenic, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Yes
Sphynx cats do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reactions.
No
Tonkinese cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
Common Health Issues
Which cat is healthier, Sphynx vs Tonkinese?
Low
Very healthy cat breed.
High
Tonkineses tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Health Problems Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Skin Diseases (due to lack of fur)
Hereditary Myopathy 		Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Upper Respiratory Infections
Asthma
Climate Temperate Temperate
Cold Tolerance Medium Medium
Heat Tolerance Medium Medium
Breeding Difficulty Medium Medium

Sphynx vs Tonkinese Characteristics and Personality Comparison

Common Vocalizations Loud and energetic sounds Social and playful meows
Interaction With Other Pets Excellent, very social and friendly Good, very social and friendly
Facial Expression Outgoing and energetic Social and playful
Tail Behavior Outgoing and energetic tail movements Social and playful tail movements
Explorer Instincts Low Moderate
Attention Needs High High
Protectiveness Low Moderate
Territoriality Low Moderate
Independence Moderate High
Response To Commands High High
Adaptability To Indoor Life High High
Hunting Drive High High
Play Style Curious
Interactive
Playful 		Curious
Social
Playful
Escape Tendencies High High
Curiosity High High
Hunting Skills Low ⬇️ Moderate ⏺️
Reaction To Strangers Friendly 😊 Friendly 😊
Stalking Behavior High High
Aggression Level Low Low
Training Difficulty Moderate Moderate
Agility High High
Travel Compatibility Medium High
Activity
Moderately Active
Moderately Active
Compatibility With Other Animals Playful
Medium 		Playful
Medium
Household Noise Tolerance Medium Medium
Playfulness
Active Adventurer. Sphynx are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Active Adventurer. Tonkinese are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Trainability
Difficult to Train: Sphynx cat breeds are the least responsive, most stubborn, and hardest to train, often requiring professional guidance and extra effort to achieve even basic results.
Highly Trainable: Tonkinese cat breeds are the most intelligent, responsive, and eager to learn, making them excellent candidates for training, obedience, and tricks.
Lap Cat
Which cat is lap type, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Temperament
Which one has a better personality, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Loyal Curious
Adaptability
Which cat has a higher adaptability potential?
Sphynx cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tonkinese cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate cat breed: Sphynx vs Tonkinese?
High: Sphynx cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
High: Tonkinese cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
Child Friendly
Which cat is more kid-friendly, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
The Sphynx cat is a child-friendly breed.
The Tonkinese cat is a child-friendly breed.
Dog Friendly
Which cat is more dog-friendly, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Very dog-friendly: Sphynx owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Very dog-friendly: Tonkinese owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Intelligence
Which cat is smarter, Sphynx vs Tonkinese?
Outstanding: Sphynx is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Outstanding: Tonkinese is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Social Needs
Which cat is more social, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Stranger Friendly
Which cat is more stranger friendly, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people.
Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people.
Vocalization
Which cat is the loudest, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Frequent
This cat breed meows very often.
Frequent
This cat breed meows very often.

Sphynx vs Tonkinese Grooming Comparison

Seasonal Shedding Low Low
Grooming Tools Needed Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Deshedding Tool 		Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Deshedding Tool
Dental CareHigh Moderate
Grooming
Which is easier to groom, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Sphynx coat in good condition.
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Tonkinese coat in good condition.
Shedding
Which cat sheds less, Sphynx or Tonkinese?
Minimal
This cat breed sheds much less than the average.
High
If you're looking for a cat that won't leave a trail of fur everywhere they go, you might want to rethink your choice of pet.

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