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Russian Blue vs Tonkinese
A quiet, reserved, independent shorthair against a playful, moderately talkative, people-loving one that is excellent with children.
Verdict
Both are intelligent, short-coated cats of medium size, so the thing that decides it is sociability. The Russian Blue is quiet, reserved with strangers and fine alone during a workday. The Tonkinese is playful, moderately talkative and scores 5 with children and other pets, but it scores 1 for independence and is prone to loneliness and boredom. Choose the Russian Blue for a quiet household and a steady routine. Choose the Tonkinese for a sociable family and a cat that wants to play and talk with you.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You are out for a workday; it scores 4 for independence against 1.
- You want a quiet cat, scoring 1 for voice against 4.
- You live in a small flat; it scores 5 for apartments against 4.
- You prefer a solid blue-grey plush coat.
Choose the Tonkinese if
- You have children and other pets; it scores 5 for both against 3.
- You want a very playful, affectionate cat, scoring 5 for both.
- You want almost no grooming.
- You are home much of the day.
Where they are alike
Both score 5 for intelligence and keep a short coat with grooming scores of 1 and 2. Each is a medium cat that weighs up to about 12 lb. Their lifespans are reported at similar ranges, 12 to 15 years for the Russian Blue and 12 to 16 for the Tonkinese.
Side by side
| Russian Blue | Tonkinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Arkhangelsk region, Russia | Canada and the United States |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger | 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | Typically 12-16 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips | Medium-short, close-lying, fine, silky coat with a lustrous sheen |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1984 |
| How common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Affection | 4 | 5 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 5 |
| Talkativeness | 1 | 4 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 2 |
| Good with children | 3 | 5 |
| Good with other pets | 3 | 5 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 1 |
| Trainability | 5 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 5 | 4 |
| Suits | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. | A family or a person at home much of the day that wants a sociable, clever, moderately talkative cat. |
| Less suited to | A noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. | Anyone out for long hours; the breed is prone to loneliness and boredom. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch | — |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026