Kankrej: The Majestic Dual-Purpose Breed
GGo-LX23 May 20262 min read296 views67 AI views
Tall, powerful, and elegant, the Kankrej is one of India's most striking cattle breeds — equally valued for fast draught bulls and dependable milk production.
Originating from the Kankrej region between northern Gujarat and southern Rajasthan, the Kankrej is one of India's tallest, strongest, and most photogenic indigenous breeds. Famed for fast-trotting bullocks and steady milk production, it's a foundation breed for Brazil's "Guzerá" — proof of its global influence.
What Makes the Kankrej Special
- Powerful working bulls — among the fastest trotting bullocks in India
- Stately appearance — silver-grey coat, lyre-shaped horns, regal presence
- Disease resistance — hardy and tolerant of heat
- Good milk yield — 5–8 litres per day on average, up to 12+ in well-managed conditions
- Strong calving — cows produce healthy, vigorous calves
Identifying a Kankrej
- Coat: Silvery grey, darker on shoulders and hindquarters
- Horns: Strong, lyre-shaped, curving outward and upward
- Body: Tall, deep-chested, well-proportioned
- Hump: Large and well-developed in bulls
- Eyes: Black-rimmed and alert
- Average weight: Cows 320–410 kg, bulls 525–620 kg
A Working Breed with a Future
Even with growing mechanisation, Kankrej bullocks remain valuable in rural India for:
- Small-field ploughing where tractors are impractical
