The document discusses cattle breeds found in India. It classifies them based on utility into milk, dual-purpose and draught breeds. It then describes the key physical characteristics and performance of popular breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana, Kankrej, Hallikar and Kangayam. These breeds are classified into 5 groups based on physical features. The document provides details of 19 native zebu cattle breeds of India, their origins, characteristics and status.

1. CATTLE BREEDS
OF INDIA
B.Sunil kumar,
Dept of LPM,
College of veterinary science,
Tirupati

2. BREED :
A group of animals having common
ancestors , similar morphological features and
should breed true to type
CLASSIFICATION:
I. On the basis of utility
II. On the basis of type

3. Classification of Zebu cattle breeds based on utility
Milk purpose Dual purpose Draught purpose
1. Sahiwal 1.Deoni 1. Amritmahal
2. Red Sindhi 2. Kankrej 2. Hallikar
3. Gir 3. Hariana 3. Khillari
4. Tharparkar 4. Mewati (koshi) 4. Kangayam
5. Rathi 5. Ongole 5. Bargur
6. Dangi 6. Malvi
7. Red Kandhari 7. Kherigarh
8. Nimari 8. Kenkatha
9. Siri 9. Nagori
10. Krishna Valley 10. Bachaur
11.Ponwar
12.Gaolao

4. Classification of Zebu cattle breeds based on type
Group 1: Broad faced, lyre horned, grey or white coloured
Ex:Kankrej, Kherigarh, Malvi, Tharparkar, Kenkatha
Group 2: Short horned, white or light grey coloured , coffin
shaped skull
Ex: Hariana, Ongole, Bachaur, Gaoloa, Krishna Valley,
Mewati, Nagori and Rathi
Group 3: Heavily built, curled horns, prominent forehead, red or
white coloured
Ex: Gir, Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, Deoni, Dangi, Nimari, Red
kandhari

5. Group 4: Medium sized, prominent forehead,
long and pointed horns also known
as Mysore type cattle
Ex:Amritmahal, Hallikar, Kangayam,
Khillari, Bargur
Group 5: Black, red coloured with white
markings.
Ex: Siri, Ponwar

6. GROUP I •Broad faced lyre horned(having two
symmetrical curved horns run between
the base).
• Grey- white colored flat or dished
forehead.
•Found in western India.
1.Kankrej
2.Kherigarh
3.Malvi
4.Tharparker
5.kenkatha
GROUP II •White or grey colored
•Coffin shaped skull and orbital
arches.
1.Hariana 6.Mewati
2.Ongole 7.Nagori
3.Bachaur 8.Rathi
4.Gaolo
5.Krishna valley
GROUP III •Heavily built with lateral and even
curled horns.
•Dewlap and sheath are pendulous.
•Usually spotted either red or white
1.Gir
2.Sahiwal
3.Red sindhi
4.Deoni
5.Dangi
6.Nimari
7. Red Kandhari
GROUP IV (Mysore type) •Medium sized but compact.
•Powerful quarters and tight sheaths.
•Pointed long horns emerged from the
top of the poll in upward and backward
direction.
1.Amrith mahal
2.Hallikar
3.Kangayam
4.Khillari
5.Bargur
GROUP V •Found in hilly tracts of northern India.
•Small , black, red or colored often with
large patches and white markings.
1.Siri
2.Ponwar

7. SAHIWALSynonym – Lola
Origin – Montgomery district
in Pakistan
Physical characters:
Body- heavy, short legs,
loose skin
Head – broad with stumpy
horns
Color - brownish red with
or without white splashes
Naval flap – loose and
hanging
Dewlap – voluminous
Udder - capacious
Best dairy breed of zebu cattle in the world
Status: Declining and endangered.

8. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22.35 :20.67
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
540 : 327
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 2325
Avg lactation length (days) 315
ADMY (Kg) 6.65
Fat % 4.9
SNF % 8.74
AFC ( Months) 41.7
Calving interval ( Months) 15.8
Dry period (Days) 160
Service period (Days) 175
Age at first mating ( Months) 32

9. RED SINDHI
Origin -Sindh province of
Pakistan
Physical characters:
Body - medium
sized,compact and
well proportioned
Colour- Red with shades
Head- Occasional bulge
Horns – thick and blunt
Color - deep red, males
are darker
Udder - large and
capacious
Status-critical

10. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22.5:21.4
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
544: 498
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 1536
Avg lactation length (days) 303
AFC ( Months) 48
Calving interval ( Months) 17.4
Service period (Days) 172

11. GIR
Origin - Kathiawar district of Gujarat
- Exported to brazil and USA
- Indubrasil : Gir x Kankrej
Physical characters:
Body - medium sized well
proportioned
Head - moderately long, forehead
prominent and bony,horns are
big,curved and turning
backwards,
Ears -pendulous and curled
with notch near tip (curly leaf
like)
Color – Red or yellowish red with
red black patches
Tail - long and whip like reaching
upto fetlock
Status: 9.17 million and normal

12. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22 : 21
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
545 : 386
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 2110
Avg lactation length (days) 308
AFC ( Months) 51
Calving interval ( Months) 17

13. DEONI
Origin –North west part of Hyderabad, Marthwada region of
Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka
Physical characters
Resembles Gir and Dangi
Forehead – Slightly bulged between horns
Color - black and white to red and white
with irregular patches
Ears - pendulous, short without notch near the tip
Status - present population is 1,19,000
- Mild decline and status is normal

14. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 21: 20
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 1120
Avg lactation length (days) 317
AFC ( Months) 46
Calving interval ( Months) 15
Pair of bullocks can plough 4 to 5 hours at a stretch

15. THARPARKAR
Origin -- South west Sindh in west
Pakistan, parts of Jaisalmar
In India
Physical characters
Handsome cattle breed
Body - medium sized, strong built
short limbs
Head - moderately long ,forehead
broad and slightly bulging,
medium sized horns
Color - white or light grey and a line
along the spine specially in
younger animals
Udder - moderately developed
Status – Population size has squeezed
in India, endangered

16. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 23:22.4
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
544:357
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 1749
Avg lactation length (days) 286
AFC ( Months) 42
Calving interval ( Months) 14
Dry period (Days) 138
Service period (Days) 128

17. KANKREJ
Origin – South East Rann of Kutch in
Gujarat
Physical characters:
Body- heaviest of Indian cattle,
powerful
Head - broad, forehead is dished
in centre , curved horn in
lyre shape with pointed
tips,skin covering near the
base of horn
Color - white, grey with silver
grey markings on hind and
forelegs
Hump - well developed
Gait - Sawai chal
Udder - moderately developed
Status: The present population is
4,65,000 and normal

18. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 24:23
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
590:431
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 1738
Avg lactation length (days) 297
AFC ( Months) 47
Calving interval ( Months) 15
Dry period (Days) 185
Service period (Days) 151
ADMY (kg) 5.7
Peak yield (kg) 7.8

19. HARIANA
Origin –Rohtak ,Hissar , Gurgaon,
Jind districts of Haryana
Physical characters
Body - compact, moderately
long and proportioned
Head - carried high, short
horns, curving upward
and inwards, long and
narrow face
Color - white and light grey
Forehead - black and bony
prominence at poll
Udder - well formed and
compact
Status: Declining and endangered

20. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 23.3: 21.7
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
499:325
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 996
Avg lactation length (days) 272
AFC ( Months) 51.3
Calving interval ( Months) 16
Dry period (Days) 254
Service period (Days) 482
Fat % 4.5
Peak yield (kg) 7.33
Age at first mating ( months) 39

21. ONGOLE
Origin - one of the oldest breed of the
country
- Distributed in south coastal
districts of AP
- Named as Nellore in Brazil
Physical characters:
Body - large, heavy with massive and long
limbs
Head - forehead broad
Color - white with dark grey markings on
head,neck and hump of male,
black points on knee and
Pasterns
- Horns are short and stumpy
Dewlap - large ,fan shaped flashy ,
pendulous , hanging in folds,
extending upto navel flap
Udder - well developed and not pendulous
Glossy white coat called ‘Padakateeru’ by
breeders
Status- The present population is 45
thousand in the breeding tract
- Endangered

22. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 28:26
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
570:425
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 950
Avg lactation length (days) 230
AFC ( Months) 15.5
Calving interval ( Months) 16.5
Dry period (Days) 262
Service period (Days) 191

23.  The bulls generate a horse power of 0.81 and
travel with a speed ranging from 1.90 to 2.39 m/s .
 The overall draughtability (ODA) varies from
75.42 to 88.28%
 The bullocks are very powerful and suitable for
heavy ploughing and carting
 Ongole animals have been imported by USA,
Brazil , SriLanka , Jamaica , Australia , and
Switzerland.
 Their hardness, disease resistance capacity to
thrive on scanty and dry fodder have been quite
helpful in evolving suitable beef breeds in in other
countries

24. HALLIKAR
Origin:Distributed in almost all the
districts of South
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamilnadu
Physical Characters
Medium sized breed
Color - grey with deep
Shadings on the fore and hind
quarters
Horns are long that emerge
in proximity to each other near the
top of the poll and are carried
backward,straight for nearly half their
length and then with a forward ending
in pointed tips
Status: Present population is
2,01,000 , declining

25. Pair of bullocks can pull 13- 16 % of their body weight
for 6 hours with 0.91 HP
Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 21.3: 20
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
340:227
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 542
Avg lactation length (days) 285
AFC ( Months) 36
Calving interval ( Months) 20
Daily milk yield ( Kg) 2
Peak yield 3.1
Fat % 5.7

26. AMRITMAHAL
Origin: Distributed in Chickmangalur ,
Chitradurga ,Davanagere , Hasan,
Shimoga, and Tumkur districts of
Karnataka.
Physical Characters
Body – Medium sized ,compact, short back
Horn - typical long sweeping horns,
Head- prominent forehead, depressed
in the centre, narrow face.
Color – white to grey
Bullocks can plough on hard soil for 6-7 hrs
at a stretch.
A pair of bullocks can carry a load of 200-
250 kg on village roads and around 300-
350 kg on metal roads with pneumatic
tyres.
Status: Present population is 14,073 and
is endangered

27. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22:20
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
498:317
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 572
Avg lactation length (days) 299
AFC ( Months) 50
Calving interval ( Months) 14.3
ADMY ( KG) 1.58
Pair of bullocks can carry a load of 200-250 kg

28. KHILLARI
Origin:Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangali
and Satara districts of
Maharashtra.
Physical Characters
Strong built and compact body
Color - white or grey
Horns curve backward for half
the length and then turn
forward in a peculiar
fashion.
Distinct groove runs in the centre
of the forehead.
Status:Present population is
7,09,640, Normal

29. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22:21
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
500:350
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 481
Avg lactation length (days) 189
AFC ( Months) 47
Calving interval ( Months) 15
Peak yield (kg) 4
Fat % 4.2

30. KRISHNA VALLEY
Origin: Parts of karnataka & Maharashtra
along the river krishna
Physical Characterstics:
Animals are large with massive body.
Colour: Greyish white..
Fore head : large distinct bulge.
Horns: Horns are small and
curved slightly upward and inward.
Status: Critical
.

31. KANGAYAM
Origin – Kangayam taluk of
Coimbatore, T.N.
Physical Characters
Medium sized breed
Color - grey or white in cows ;
Bulls are grey with dark
color on hump,face, fore
and hind quarters and legs
Horns - Long and strong curving
outward and backward then
inward, thus nearly
completing a circle
i.e,Cobra hood like
horn pattern
Status:
Considered as normal

32. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 22:21
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
523:340
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 640
Avg lactation length (days) 270
AFC ( Months) 44
Calving interval ( Months) 16
Dry period (Days) 175

33. SIRI
Origin - Indo-Bhutan border
It is a typical small hill cattle breed
Physical Characters
Color - black and white or red and
white
The distinguishing feature
is its thoracic hump .
Horns - thin ,pointed directed
forward and slightly upward
Tail -short with black switch
Status:
Declining

34. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 21:19
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
454:363
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 425
Avg lactation length (days) 228
AFC ( Months) 47.7
Calving interval ( Months) 17
Fat : SNF 4:8.6
ADMY(kg) 4

35. PUNGANUR
Origin - Chittoor district of Andhra
Pradesh
Physical Characters
Smaller in stature
Dwarf type
Color - white ,light
brown to dark brown
Horns - black ,small and
crescent shaped
Dewlap – extensively hanging
Legs - short and thin
Body is long with well sprung ribs.
Tail is long almost touching the
ground
Status:
Critical, very few left in the tract

36. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 12.8:11
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
240:170
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 546
Avg lactation length (days) 263
AFC ( Months) 37
Calving interval ( Months) 15
Dry period (Days) 232
Service period (Days) 182
ADMY (kg) 2
Fat : SNF 5:9.2
Age at first heat ( Months) 28

37. VECHUR
Origin -Sothern Kerala
Has good adaptability to hilly
terrain and high rainfall ecosystem,
high disease resistance
Physical characters:
Miniature type cattle
Color -- light red ,black or fawn
sometimes white
Head - small
Neck - thin and small
Tail - long and almost touching
the ground
Udder - well developed, squarely
placed with small tapering teats
Status:
Breed is almost extinct and critical

38. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 11:10
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
178:131
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 561
Avg lactation length (days) 242
AFC ( Months) 36
Calving interval ( Months) 14
ADMY ( Kg) 2.35
SNF % 8.8
Age at first heat ( Months ) 22

39. BACHAUR
Origin: Indo-Nepal border in Bihar
Physical characteristics:
Small to medium sized draft breed
Colour - grey or white
Horns: Curved upward and forward
Tail : Short and thick
Status: Present population is 43,397; endangered

41. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18 : 17
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
385:317
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 540
Avg lactation length (days) 254
AFC ( Months) 48
Calving interval ( Months) 16

42. BARGUR
Origin: Hilly forest s of T.N
Known for their speed and endurance
Physical Characteristics:
Well built and compact
Colour - brown with white margins
Horns: Emerge close to each other ,
grow backward with
pointed tips
Tail is fairly large with brown switch
Status: Present population is 46,600 ; declining and
endangered

43. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 19:18
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
340:295
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 350
Avg lactation length (days) 270
AFC ( Months) 53
Calving interval ( Months) 17.3

44. DANGI
Origin: Hills of Maharashtra and Gujarat
Physical Characteristics:
Medium sized
Colour - broken red and white or black and white
Horns : Thick and short
Skin, Muzzle, Eyelids, Switch and hooves are black
Skin secrets oily secretions which protects from heavy rain
and insect bites
Status: Present population is 1.3 millions and normal

45. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18:17
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
363:290
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 350
Avg lactation length (days) 269
AFC ( Months) 45
Calving interval ( Months) 16
Dry period (Days) 186
Service period (Days) 295

46. GAOLAO
Origin: Vidharba region of Maharashtra and parts
of M.P
Physical characteristics:
Resembles Ongole breed
Colour is white or light grey
Dewlap is voluminous
Status:
Present population is 13,500; declining and
endangered

47. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 19:18
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
430:340
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 600
Avg lactation length (days) 240
AFC ( Months) 54
Calving interval ( Months) 15

48. KENKATHA
Origin: Parts of UP and MP
Physical characteristics:
Medium sized,compact body
Colour - white and grey
Head - short with dish shaped forehead
Status:
The present population is 2.5 m
No improvement programmes in the tract.

50. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18.5:17
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 550
Avg lactation length (days) 210
AFC ( Months) 48
Calving interval ( Months) 16
Service period (Days) 120-150

51. KHERIGARH
Origin: Himalayan foot hills of Northern UP
Physical Characteristics:
Medium sized
Colour - white and grey
Dish shaped forehead
Horns are lyre shaped pointed at the tips
Status:
Present population is 1,44,600
Endangered

53. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 20.5:19.5
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
476:318
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 362
Avg lactation length (days) 240
AFC ( Months) 49
Calving interval ( Months) 14
Service period (Days) 129

54. MALVI
Origin: Parts of MP and Rajasthan
Physical Characteristics:
Medium sized, deep body conformation
Colour is grey to darker grey and extremities black
Horns are strong and pointed
Ears held in horizontal orientation
Legs are short and stout
Status:
Present population is 5,58,000
Normal

55. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 21:19
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
525;325
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 886
Avg lactation length (days) 220
AFC ( Months) 48
Calving interval ( Months) 14
Dry period (Days) 180
Service period (Days) 178
Fat : SNF 4.5 :13

56. MEWATI
Origin: Western UP, parts of Haryana and Rajasthan
Physical characteristics:
Admixture of Hariana with traces of Gir , Rathi and Nagori
High tolerance to drought and heat
Predominant colour is brown with darker shade on quarters
Eyes surrounded by dark ring
Status:
Present population is 59,500;
Declining and endangered

57. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 19:18
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
385:326
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 350
Avg lactation length (days) 180
AFC ( Months) 48
ADMY ( KG) 5.5
Service period (Days) 135

58. NAGORI
Origin: Parts of Rajasthan
Physical Characteristics:
Animals are alert with agile posture
Colour : white or light grey
Horns: Medium sized
Face : Narrow like that of
Horse
Popular for swiftness & speed
Status:
Present population is 0.3 million ; Normal

59. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18:16
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
362:317
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 603
Avg lactation length (days) 267
AFC ( Months) 48
Calving interval ( Months) 51.3
Dry period (Days) 125
Service period (Days) 172

60. NIMARI
Origin: Central India
Physical characteristics:
Admixture of Gir and Khillari
Colour: Red with large white
patches
Horns: Emerge backwards
Muzzle: Copper coloured
Stout legs with strong hooves and can withstand on stony
ground
Status:
Present population is 2,52,000; declining

61. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 20:18.5
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
390:318
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 360
Avg lactation length (days) 237
AFC ( Months) 49
Calving interval ( Months) 16
Peak yield ( Kg) 4.5
Fat % 4.75

62. PONWAR
Origin: Foot hills of Himalayas,
Nepal border
Physical characteristics:
Colour : Brown or black with white patches
Ears: Erect side ways and
have pointed tips
Status:
Present population is 48,300
Threatened

63. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18.5:17.5
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
330;260
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 458
AFC ( Months) 50
Calving interval ( Months) 13
Dry period (Days) 115
Service period (Days) 76

64. RATHI
Origin: Parts of Rajasthan
Physical characteristics:
Admixture of Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar
Tolerance to heat, drought and resistance to diseases
Colour: Brown with white patches
Dewlap : long and hanging
Horns: short and stumpy
Status:
Present population is 0.5 million;
Normal

65. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 19:18.5
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
385:326
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 1560
Avg lactation length (days) 336
AFC ( Months) 46
Calving interval ( Months) 17
Dry period (Days) 180
Service period (Days) 205
ADMY ( kg) 5.4
Fat : SNF 3.7:8.8

66. RED KANDHARI
Origin: Marthwada region of Maharashtra
Physical characteristics:
Strong and robust
Colour: uniform deep dark red
Black ring around the eyes and hooves
Ears drooping side ways with rounded tips
Status:
Present population is 6,98,302
Normal

68. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 20.5:19.5
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
430:340
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 425
Avg lactation length (days) 278
AFC ( Months) 42
Calving interval ( Months) 18
Dry period (Days) 198

69. UMBLACHERY
Origin: Coastal plains of T.N
Physical characteristics:
Very similar to Kangayam except being smaller
Suitable for wet ploughing
Colour- Dark grey
White star is present is present on the forehead
Status:
Present population is 2,82,000
Normal

71. Performance:
Avg birth weight(kg)- Male : Female 18.5:17.8
Avg adult body weight (kg)-
Male: Female
385:325
Avg lactation milk yield (Kg) 400
Avg lactation length (days) 275
AFC ( Months) 52
Calving interval ( Months) 15
Dry period (Days) 220
Service period (Days) 177
ADMY(Kg) 2

74. REFERENCES
1. Atlas – Animal genetic resources of
India,NBAGR,Karnal
2. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 79 (9):
955-968, September 2009

75. THANK YOU