Malnad Gidda
In its own language: ಮಲೆನಾಡು ಗಿಡ್ಡ
A small, dark humpless breed from the Western Ghats of Karnataka, kept for milk and draught work.
The Malnad Gidda is a dwarf cattle breed native to the forested hills of Karnataka in India. It stands about ninety centimetres tall and produces two litres of milk daily, valued locally for its medicinal properties.
- Stands about 90 cm tall at the withers
- Native to the Western Ghats of Karnataka
- Produces two litres of milk on average
- Coat colours are black or brown
- Can jump five-foot-high fences
What do Malnad Gidda cattle look like?
This is a dwarf breed of domestic cattle found in India. The animals are short, standing around ninety centimetres at the withers. Their coats range from black to brown. They have no hump on their backs. The cows are active and intelligent. They can jump fences five feet high.
Where does the Malnad Gidda come from?
The breed comes from the Malenadu region of Karnataka in India. This area is part of the Western Ghats. The land there is hilly, rainy and densely forested. Locals call it Malnad Gidda or Malenadu Gidda. It was once an undistinguished variety. Authorities later declared it a distinct breed.
What the Malnad Gidda is known for
These cattle are known for being disease resistant. They adapt well to their environment. They need very little extra fodder to survive. They can live on grazing alone in forests and rural areas. Their temperament is very active. They are also highly intelligent animals.
How the Malnad Gidda is bred and kept
The breed is now officially recognised as distinct. No specific herd book details are given here. Farmers keep them in the districts of Shimoga, Mangalore, Chikkamangalore, Uttara Kannada and Udupi. They are sustained by grazing natural terrain rather than intensive feeding regimes.
Malnad Gidda, drawn
What the Malnad Gidda is kept for
Farmers keep them for milk and likely for work. Milk yield is up to three or four litres per day. Two litres is the average amount. The milk and urine are believed to have medicinal value. Their agility makes them suitable for rough terrain.
The land and climate of the Malnad Gidda
They live in the Malenadu region of the Western Ghats. The climate is tropical and rainy. The land is hilly and covered in dense forests. They are suited to this wet, mountainous environment. They graze on rural terrains and forest floors.
Who keeps the Malnad Gidda
They are found across several districts in Karnataka. Local farmers maintain the herds using traditional grazing methods.
At a glance: where it belongs
Land and climate
Faith and ritual
This reflects local beliefs about the animal's properties. No specific religious rituals or temple associations are described in the provided text.
The Malnad Gidda at fairs and festivals
The breed is kept for practical agricultural purposes in its home region.
Custom and folk tradition
Local lore values the milk and urine for medicine. The breed has adapted to surviving on minimal fodder. This reflects traditional knowledge of low-input farming in the Western Ghats.
Keeping Malnad Gidda cattle
They require minimum fodder for survival. They are sustained solely by grazing forests and rural terrains. No specific housing or health protocols are detailed beyond their general disease resistance.
Numbers, conservation and the herd book
The breed was once undistinguished but is now officially declared distinct. It remains confined to specific districts in Karnataka.
From the Malnad Gidda
Questions people ask about Malnad Gidda
Where does the Malnad Gidda come from?
It is native to the Malenadu region of Karnataka in India. This area lies in the Western Ghats, which are hilly, rainy and densely forested.
What is the Malnad Gidda kept for?
It is kept for dairy production and likely for draught work. Cows produce about two litres of milk daily, with yields reaching three or four litres.
How big is a Malnad Gidda cow?
It is a dwarf breed. Cows stand approximately ninety centimetres tall at the withers. They are compact and agile animals.
What colour is the Malnad Gidda?
The coat colours are black to brown. There are no other patterns or markings described in the available information.
Is the Malnad Gidda hardy?
Yes, it is known for disease resistance and adaptability. It requires minimal fodder and can survive on grazing in forests and rural areas.
Good reading and sources
- Malnad Gidda on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Malnad Gidda", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryCow rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Sizes, colours and customs differ from one herd, valley or breeder to the next. Folk beliefs are described as tradition, never as advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-16.
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