Gir
(most common name)
(transboundary/brand name)

local/other name:
• Bhodali
• Desan
• Gire (Belize)
• Gujarati (Sri Lanka)
• Kathiawari
• Sorathi
• Sorthi
• Surati
• Surti

The Gir is a heavily-built zebu breed that originated on the west coast of India in the Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar peninsula — including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts in Gujarat state.

The Gir has a very distinctive head consisting of:
• a bulging convex forehead
• thick horns which grow backwards and curl upwards in a partial spiral
• long drooping ears

Gir coat colors are red (usually), or white with black patches. The white, however, is never pure white, but rather bluish, smoky or dirty looking. The color pattern can be:
• patched
• roan
• speckled, or marked with paint colors which shade into white

A traditional system of transhumance (leaving native pastures from January to June to find unplanted fertile lands where crop residues are available) is practiced by the following tribes (or, castes):
• Ahirs
• Bharwads
• Charans
• Maldharis
• Rabaris

Other Gir herds exist (stall-fed on cut fodder and concentrates) with possibly limited access to pasture. There are also élite breeding herds of Gir.

• 1969 - Gir herdbook established in India

Microsatellite studies (Shah et al., 2013) support a relationship between the Gir and Nimari.

Gir in Brazil

In Brazil, microsatellite studies (Egito et al., 2007) support a relationship between the Gir and Guzerá (Kankrej derivative).

• 1890 - first Gir in Brazil
• 1918-62 - final Gir imports into Brazil
• 1938 - Gir herdbook established in Brazil; initially called ‘Gyr’
• 1960s - Brazilian Gir breeders started selection for milk production

Currently in Brazil, the Gir is a dual-purpose milk/meat breed popular in the central states of:
• Minas Gerais
• São Paulo
• Goias Mato Grosso

A polled variety called Gir mocho is also bred.

As of 2017, the Gir population count for Brazil was 66,138.

This page was last updated on: 2023-09-30

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