Dairy Cattle Breeds of Pakistan: Sahiwal, Cholistani, Red Sindhi and More

Pakistan is home to some of the best tropical dairy cattle in the world. Indigenous breeds tolerate heat, resist ticks and survive on local feed far better than exotic breeds, while crossbreds can produce more milk when management is strong. Choosing well starts with knowing the options.

Sahiwal

Pakistan's best-known dairy breed, originating from the Sahiwal district of Punjab.

• Reddish-brown colour, loose skin, well-developed hump and dewlap in males.
• Known for heat tolerance, tick resistance and calm temperament.
• Commonly cited lactation yields are in the range of about 2,000–3,000 litres for good animals, with elite animals higher.
• Widely used as a base for improvement programmes, including in other countries.

Cholistani

From the Cholistan desert region.

• White or grey with black or red speckles.
• Hardy and well adapted to arid conditions and long walking for grazing.
• A dual-purpose breed (milk and draught/beef), with moderate milk yields.

Red Sindhi

From Sindh, closely related to Sahiwal.

• Deep red colour, compact body.
• Heat tolerant with good milk fat; often used in crossbreeding programmes in the tropics.

Tharparkar

From the Thar desert.

• White to grey, dual-purpose.
• Very hardy, able to perform on poor feed in dry conditions.

Dhanni

From the Potohar plateau.

• Distinctive black-and-white or red-and-white patches.
• Mainly a draught breed, with modest milk.

Crossbreds

Crossing local cows with exotic dairy breeds (for example Holstein Friesian or Jersey) can raise milk yield considerably, but crossbreds need:

• Better feeding and balanced rations.
• Cooling in summer — they suffer heat stress more.
• Good disease and tick control.

Under weak management, a crossbred may produce no more than a good Sahiwal while costing more to keep.

Buying a dairy animal: a checklist

1. See her milked — ideally both morning and evening — rather than relying on the seller's word.
2. Ask for records: last calving date, lactation number, milk yield, breeding and vaccination history.
3. Check the udder: four functional quarters, soft after milking, no hard lumps; run a CMT test for hidden mastitis.
4. Check health: bright eyes, good appetite, normal breathing, no lameness, no heavy tick load.
5. Check fertility: a long gap since calving with no pregnancy can mean a breeding problem.
6. Quarantine new animals for two to three weeks before mixing them with your herd, and vaccinate on your schedule.

Choosing for your farm

Match the animal to your feed, climate and management. Buy from known herds with milk records, check health and fertility history, and record every animal's milk so you keep and breed from the best.