The Punganur cattle which is also known as Punganur dwarf cattle originated from the Chitoor district of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. The breed is among the world’s smallest humped cattle breeds. It is named after the town of it’s origin, Punganur, in Chittor district situated in the south-eastern tip of the Deccan Plateau.
The Punganur cattle breed is on the verge of extinction, with a few animals remaining. And these remaining animals are being reared mainly on the Livestock Research Station, Palamaner, Chittoor district, attached to SV Veterinary University.
The breed is not officially recognized as a breed since there are only a few animals remaining. Punganur cattle are mainly noted for their very high quality milk which is rich in medicinal properties. Today the breed is pretty rare. Read more information about this breed below.
Punganur Cattle Characteristics
Punganur cattle are smaller sized animals and are white and light grey in color. Sometimes they can also be light brown to dark brown or red in color.
They have a broad forehead and short horns. Their horns are crescent shaped and often loose curving backward and forward in bulls and lateral and forward in cows.
Average height of the Punganur cattle is about 70-90 cm. The bulls on average weight around 225 kg. And average body weight of the cows is around 115 kg. Photo from Dairy Knowledge Portal and info from Wikipedia.
Uses
The Punganur cattle are mainly used for milk production. Their milk contain high fat content and rich in medicinal properties.
Special Notes
Punganur cattle are very hardy animals. They are well known for their quality milk production. Their milk has a high fat content compared to the milk of other cattle breeds. Generally, cow’s milk has 3 to 5 percent of fat content.
But Punganur cow’s milk contains about 8 percent of fat content. The breed is highly drought resistant and can survive on dry fodder. The cows on average can produce about 3-5 kg of milk per day. And they have a daily feed intake of 5 kg. Review full breed profile of this breed in the following chart.
| Breed Name | Punganur | |
| Other Name | Punganur Dwarf Cattle | |
| Breed Purpose | Milk | |
| Special Notes | Strong, hardy, drought resistant | |
| Breed Size | Small | |
| Bulls | Around 225 kg | |
| Cows | Around 115 kg | |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates | |
| Coat Color | Mainly white and light grey in color | |
| Horned | Yes | |
| Milk Yield | Good | |
| Rarity | Rare | |
| Country/Place of Origin | India |
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about Punganur cattle. Here we are listing the most common questions about this cattle breed, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Which is the smallest cow in India?
Punganur cow is the smallest cow in India, which is native to Andhra Pradesh.
How much milk does a Punganur cow give?
Exact amount of milk production depends on numerous factors. Generally, you can expect 3 to 5 liters of milk per day.
Is Punganur cattle hardy?
Yes, Punganur is a very strong and hardy cattle breed. It is highly drought resistant, and able to survive exclusively on dry fodder.
What is the height of Punganur cow?
Average height of a Punganur cow is between 70 and 90 cm.
What is the weight of Punganur cow?
Average live body weight of Punganur cow is between 115 and 200 kg.
How many Punganur cows are available in India?
Punganur is a very rare breed of cattle. And there are only about 180-200 Punganur cows are believed to remain.
Is Punganur cow milk good for health?
Yes, milk from these cows is very good for health. Milk of Punganur cow is high in fat content and rich in medicinal properties, so it is very good for health.
Why is Punganur cow famous?
The Punganur cattle is famous and mainly used for milk production purpose. Their milk is of very good quality containing good amount of fat content and medicinal properties. They are also known for their hardiness.
What are the characteristics of Punganur cattle?
Punganur cattle are smaller sized animals and are white and light grey in color. Sometimes they can also be light brown to dark brown or red in color. They have a broad forehead and short horns. Their horns are crescent shaped and often loose curving backward and forward in bulls and lateral and forward in cows. Average height of the Punganur cattle is about 70-90 cm. The bulls on average weight around 225 kg. And average body weight of the cows is around 115 kg.
