In Pakistan’s livestock’s landscape, goats have special place. Many people want them as their sacrificial animals for the Eid-ul-Adha. You can see different types of bakra (goat breeds) in the streets, cattle markets, and even trending on OLX. As a lifelong animal lover and seasoned goat buyer, I can feel the familiar buzz in the air. Choosing the right goat breed in Pakistan for Qurbani is both a joyous and meaningful experience.
In this blog, I will walk through some of the most popular goat breeds in Pakistan and what makes each special, especially as we prepare for Eid-ul-Adha 2025. From gentle giants to small, hardy breeds, each goat has its own charm and story.
Let’s begin our journey!
Gulabi Bakra
The Gulabi goat, native to Sindh’s plains, is the undisputed showstopper of Pakistani goat breeds. “Gulabi” means pink in Urdu, a nod to its soft pink skin beneath pure white hair. Large and elegant, Gulabis have an almost regal appearance: long, floppy ears (often over 2 feet long!) and a distinctive Roman nose give them a majestic look. To some people, they may look like a sheep breed without fur or shaved fur.
Despite their size, males can weigh around 85 kg. They are known to be friendly and calm in temperament. Breeders often keep them as a hobby and status symbol rather than sell them for meat, and it’s not uncommon to hear of a single Gulabi fetching hundreds of thousands. (One famous breeder in Sindh paid Rs. 2.5 million for a prize Gulabi buck!)
During Eid ul Adha, mostly the wealthiest enthusiasts might sacrifice such a premium Gulabi. For most of us, the Gulabi is the goat we visit in the mandi just to admire, a reminder that Qurbani animals can be truly breathtaking. You can buy this and other sacrificial animals on OLX with lots of benefits.
Beetal Bakra
The Beetal goat is Punjab’s pride, a hardy dual-purpose breed beloved for its adaptability. Originating in Punjab, these goats are medium-to-large in size and used for both meat and milk. A typical Beetal weighs around 40 to 60 kg.
Beetal goats usually have sleek coats in solid colors like reddish-brown, black, or pied (patchy mix) and classic pendulous ears. With their long twisted horns in males and a slightly smaller frame than the famous Jamnapari breed, Beetals are sturdy yet manageable.
They are active but not aggressive, making them a popular choice for rural families. During Eid-ul-Adha season, Beetal goats are everywhere, from Punjab’s village farms to big city markets. They are reasonably priced compared to fancy breeds
Areas: Punjab (Jehlum, Gujrat, Mandi Bhaudin, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Lahore, Shaikhupura, Jhang, Faisalabad, Shaiwal, Multan, Okara, etc.)
Dera Din Panah Bakra
The Dera Din Panah (DDP) goat, sometimes affectionately called the “gentle giant” where I live, is one of the most prestigious breeds you will encounter. It hails from the town of Dera Din Panah in Muzaffargarh District, Punjab, which is how it got its name.
DDP goats have a striking appearance: typically solid black with a large, well-built body and a distinctive nose profile. They are draped in long hair and have very long, broad ears that twist. Both males and females usually have thick, spiraled horns that add to their grandeur.
Despite their size, these goats have a strong presence without being aggressive. In fact, their calm confidence is something I admire. A mature DDP weighs roughly around 45 to 60 kg. Because of their impressive size and build, DDP bakras are in high demand for Qurbani.
In my experience, buyers often consider it a matter of pride to sacrifice a well-fed Dera Din Panah bakra, known for its “strong build and distinctive appearance”.
Kamori Bakra
From the heart of Sindh comes the elegant Kamori goat, a breed that many Pakistanis instantly recognize for its unique beauty. I first saw a Kamori bakra at a cattle market in Lahore years ago and quickly fell in love of it, its dappled coat and velvety long ears made it the most appealing goat of that day.
Kamoris are medium-to-large goats found mostly in districts like Dadu, Larkana, and Nawabshah in Sindh. A pure Kamori has a dark reddish-brown coat splashed with small coffee-colored patches, giving it a rich, patterned appearance. They have extraordinarily long ears that hang down gracefully, and unlike many other breeds, pure Kamoris are often naturally hornless (polled). An average Kamori barka weighs around 50 to 60 kg.
Makhi Cheena Bakra
If you hear excited whispers in the mandi about a giant goat, it’s probably the Makhi Cheena bakra. This breed is essentially a special strain of the Beetal family, originating around the Bahawalnagar area of Punjab. It has typical coat pattern, usually a light base color (like white or light brown) dotted with small dark spots that look like fly specks.
These goats are not just all looks, though; they are known for growing to formidable sizes. There are legendary stories among breeders of some Makhi Cheena goats tipping the scales at around 100 to 150 kg.
When I first stood next to a full-grown Makhi Cheena, I was amazed, it was as tall as my waist and built like an ox. Despite their bulk, Makhi Cheenas are generally good-natured. They carry the friendly disposition of their Beetal lineage, so handling them is easier than one might expect from such a massive animal.
Tapra Bakra
The Tapri bakra is a hardy breed from Sindh that has a special place in more arid and rural parts of the province. In fact, “Tapri” goats are associated with regions like Hyderabad, Sanghar, and Mirpur Khas on the edge of the Thar desert.
Growing up, I often heard elders praise Tapri goats for their survival skills, these animals can thrive where many others struggle. They have a robust, resilient build and are well-adapted to hot, dry climates.
Physically, Tapri goats are medium-sized with lean muscled bodies; their coat colors vary, but many have earthy tones that blend into the desert landscape. They tend to have short to medium ears (not as long as a Gulabi’s, for instance) and usually sport horns. What truly sets the Tapri apart is its resilience and adaptability – these goats are known to forage on rough terrain and still stay healthy.
Their meat is considered excellent: tender and flavorful, likely because of the varied natural diet they graze on in the wild scrublands. An adult Tapri bakra isn’t gigantic, often weighing in the 30 to 50 kg range, but it is solid for its size.
Rajanpuri Bakra
The Rajanpuri goat, often synonymous with the Gulabi breed in everyday conversation, is a large, muscular goat that originally comes from the Rajanpur area in Punjab. Over time, this breed has spread and is now found in goat markets all over the country.
Rajanpuri bakras are typically white or light-colored, sometimes with subtle spotting, and they usually have the long, drooping ears that Pakistani breeds are famous for. Many have a sleek, fine coat and a strong, sturdy frame. In fact, Rajanpuri goats are characterized by a big, robust build and excellent meat yield.
When I see a hefty white goat in the mandi with a proud stance and shining coat, I often get the hunch it’s a Rajanpuri, and I’m usually right. These animals are known for their adaptability; whether it’s the heat of a South Punjab summer or the cooler nights up north, a Rajanpuri goat handles it well.
Weight-wise, a mature Rajanpuri buck can reach 60 to 70 kg or more if well fed, and even average ones are often above 50 kg. It’s no wonder that Rajanpuri is “one of the top choices” for Eid-ul-Adha sacrifices.
In terms of temperament, Rajanpuris are generally docile. I had the chance to spend time at a farm that specialized in breeding Rajanpuri goats, and I noticed they were calm around people, even a bit on the lazy side due to their bulky size.
Nagra Bakra
The Nagra goat is less famous than some of the breeds above, but it’s cherished among those who know goats well, especially for its toughness. There’s something almost legendary about Nagra goats when I hear breeders talk about them. They describe this breed as the ultimate survivor, able to traverse rocky hills and cope with harsh weather that might leave other goats panting.
It is believed to originate from hilly tracts (some say the northern hill ranges or perhaps highlands of Punjab/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), which would explain its sure-footedness and endurance.
Physically, Nagra goats are medium to large in size. They often have a short coat that can be tan, gray, or black, colors that offer camouflage in rocky terrain. Their ears are of moderate length and slightly pointed, and both horned and polled individuals can be found.
A typical Nagra has a well-balanced frame: not as bulky as a farm-fed Beetal, but muscular in a lean and athletic way. I recall a trekking trip in northern Pakistan where our guide pointed out some goats climbing agilely on a steep hillside; he claimed those were local Nagra goats, famed in the village for being “ghar ki pahari bakrian” (home mountain goats). True to form, they looked absolutely at home on the cliffs.
In terms of weight, Nagras are not the heaviest, maybe around 40 to 50 kg for fully grown males, though their hardiness makes them appear larger than the scale might say.
Nachi Bakra
If you ever come across a goat that looks like it’s dancing, you have probably met the Nachi bakra. Nachi literally means “dancer” in Punjabi, and this breed earned its name because of its peculiar gait. The first time I saw a Nachi goat was at a cattle show, a small crowd had gathered to watch a competition where these goats prance around lifting their feet high, almost like they are performing a jig. It was both hilarious and heartwarming to watch!
Nachi goats are primarily found in the southern Punjab districts of Bahawalpur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Layyah and the surrounding areas. They are medium-sized meat-type goats, with a fairly compact build. Most Nachis I’ve seen are black or dark brown, sometimes with white markings or spots, and they have short, coarse hair. Their ears are medium and males have small horns while females are often hornless.
A typical adult male Nachi might weigh around 30 to 35 kg, But size isn’t what Nachis are famous for – it’s their showy walk. They have a naturally high-stepping gait; when they move, it looks like they’re marching to a beat only they can hear. This trait has made Nachis a cultural delight.
Local farmers sometimes train and groom them for competitions, much like dance contests, especially at fairs or agricultural exhibitions. Temperament-wise, Nachi goats are quite lively and alert. They might be a tad more skittish than the average goat (perhaps all that dancing energy), but with regular handling, they become friendly.
Barbari Bakra
Small in size but big in personality, the Barbari goat is a popular breed especially for those who prefer a manageable animal. Barbari goats have their roots in Punjab and even Sindh. Over here, some people also call them “Desi goats” in a generic sense, but Barbari is indeed a distinct breed.
They are small, meat-type goats with a very cute appearance due to their standing ears resembling a deer. Typically, a Barbari has a creamy white or golden coat often adorned with brownish spots, giving them a freckled look. They usually have small straight horns. An adult Barbari weighs only about 20 to 35 kg,
I visited a friend’s homestead in Sargodha who kept a flock of Barbari goats, and I was impressed by how lively and active they were. Barbari goats are known for being prolific breeders; twins are common and even triplets aren’t unheard of, which means their population can increase quickly.
Sindh: Hydrabad, Dadu, Larkana, Kairpur, Nawabshah, Jackobabad, etc.
Some varieties in Punjab: Jhang, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, etc.
Pahari Bakra (Chappar Goat)
The Pahari bakra, also known as the Chappar goat, is a breed adapted to Pakistan’s hilly terrains. “Pahari” means “of the hills,” and indeed these goats are often found in upland areas like the Kohistan region of Sindh and parts of Balochistan. Their alternative name “Chappar” in Sindhi roughly means a goat from the mountains or highlands.
These goats are small in stature, but what they lack in size they make up for in hardiness. A Chappar goat usually has a solid black (or very dark brown) coat, which is long and shaggy. Their longer hair act as a natural sweater in cooler high-altitude nights and can be surprisingly glossy when the goat is healthy.
Chappar goats have a lean body and relatively short legs, an adaptation to navigating rocky slopes with agility. Their ears are medium length and often held horizontally, and most have short horns. A typical adult male might weigh around 25 to 30 kg.
I met a shepherd in the Kirthar hills who herded Chappar goats; watching them skip nimbly over stones and squeeze between shrubs in search of grass was a sight to behold. He said, “Ye pahari bakre bahut mazboot hain” – these hill goats are very tough. They rarely fall sick, and they know how to find food in the sparse landscape.
Teddy Bakra Bakra
The Teddy goat might just be the cutest member of Pakistan’s goat family. Named “Teddy” perhaps because of its small, teddy-bear-like size, this breed is very popular among farmers for practical reasons, and among kids for its adorable looks! Teddy goats are mostly found in Punjab with notable populations in districts like Sargodha, Mianwali, Gujrat, Jhelum, and also parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa like Dera Ismail Khan and even in Azad Kashmir’s adjoining. Some some say, they were imported from Bangladesh
They are one of the smallest goat breeds we have. A full-grown Teddy male weighs around 25 to 30 kg, Teddy goats come in various colors, you’ll see pure white ones, off-white creamy ones, browns, blacks, or mixes of these. Their ears are small and somewhat droopy, giving them a perpetually youthful appearance. Some Teddies have horns (usually short, scimitar-shaped horns that curve backwards), while others are polled (hornless) – the breed can be either.
Jattan Bakra
The Jattan goat is a robust and tall breed that hails from Sindh’s fringes, particularly around the Mirpur Khas district near the Thar Desert. The name “Jattan” is linked to the Jat tribes of Sindh, who were historically camel herders but also kept these goats; in fact, this breed was named after those very tribes who first raised and refined it generations ago.
The Jattan goat is built to impress: it’s a large-sized breed with long legs and a sturdy frame well-suited to both the irrigated plains and the semi-desert terrain it comes from.
What strikes me about Jattan goats is their coloration. They commonly come in fawn (light brown), reddish, or black coats. A lot of them are not solid-colored though – their long, droopy ears are usually white with splashes of the main body color (be it fawn, red, or black). This gives them a bit of a speckled or piebald look and, I must say, makes each one quite unique in appearance.
A mature Jattan weighs around of 50 to 60 kg, putting them in the heavyweight category among local breeds. They have horns in both sexes; the horns aren’t gigantic but are noticeable, often curving backwards. One interesting feature: the males often sport a black “ring” or band of color around the base of their neck (almost like a collar) which contrasts with the rest of their coat which I like very much. This is something I saw on a friend’s Jattan herd, all his mature goats had a dark ring at the neck, which he said is a breed trait.
Kacchan Bakra
The Kacchan bakra (sometimes spelled Kachhi or Kachan) is viewed as something of a premium breed in Pakistani goat circles, yet many people might not know it by name. I got acquainted with Kacchan goats through an online livestock forum before I ever saw one in person. The name came up frequently with words of praise for its size and vigor.
Originating in Sindh, often associated with the eastern Sindh regions, Kacchan goats are one of the breeds that local breeders have been promoting for their excellent traits. They are known for their physical strength, attractive appearance, and substantial size.
Physically, a Kacchan goat is large and imposing. Males can grow quite big and might weight 60 to 80 kg. Their coat color isn’t uniform in the breed; I’ve seen Kacchans in various shades, some are golden brown, others are white with brown patches, and a few are black or dark brown. Regardless of color, their coat often has a healthy sheen, which speaks to their overall vigor. They have long ears and legs. All these traits increase their prices compared to may others in the markets.
Kurri Bakra
The Kurri bakra is a breed that many might have heard of but not realized they’ve seen. In our local Punjabi dialect, “kurri” means girl, but don’t let that confuse you, the name of the breed likely has a different origin, possibly a regional one. The Kurri goat is admired for its sturdy build and balanced frame, making it a favorite in both rural and urban settings for Qurbani.
Kurri goats have a medium size, not too huge and not too tiny, pretty much an “ideal size” which is one reason they are considered very manageable as sacrificial animals. When I helped a friend search for a goat last Eid in Lahore, we stumbled upon a pen of Kurri goats. They immediately appealed to him because of their moderate size.
A typical adult Kurri buck might weigh around 40 to 50 kg, with does slightly lighter. They often have a mixed coat color, I saw brown Kurri goats with black shades along the spine, and some white or cream ones with brown heads (almost mimicking the Pateri pattern, but with differences in build). The breed shows a variety of colors, which suggests it’s been bred in different areas and hasn’t been narrowly specialized for color.
Lohri Bakra
Among the more rare and almost mythical goat breeds in Pakistan is the Lohri goat. Not many people have seen a Lohri bakra up close, as they are quite uncommon nowadays. But in the breeder community, the Lohri is spoken of with admiration.
Originating from Sindh, the Lohri (sometimes spelled Lori) breed has almost legendary status for two reasons: incredibly long ears and incredibly high milk yield. Physically, a Lohri goat is typically large and elegant. They have a predominantly white coat, often glossy, which sometimes has black spots or patches (there’s also a subtype called “Lohri Black” which is mostly black in color, known in dairy circles).
Their signature trait is the ears, oh, those ears! We thought Gulabi goats had long ears, but Lohri goats take it to another level. On average, they have 58cm ears, but there have been instances of Lohri kids born with ears so long (reportedly up to 32–36 inches in exceptional cases) that the owners had to literally roll the ears up to prevent the kids from stepping on them. It’s no wonder there are social media posts calling them “world record longest ear goats”. These long ears aren’t just for show; some breeders believe they help dissipate heat, which is useful in Sindh’s climate.
In terms of build, Lohri goats are fairly large, similar to or a bit bigger than Kamori goats. A male might weigh around 50 to 60 kg or more, and they have a strong bone structure. They usually have horns, and the horns are of moderate size, pointing backwards. Their coloration, as mentioned, is often white with some spots, I’ve seen pictures of a beautiful Lohri buck that was mostly white with a black neck and head.
Conclusion
Pakistan has a wide range of goat breeds, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. Whether you prefer a Gulabi’s majestic aura, a Beetal’s reliability, a Kamori’s unique charm, or a Teddy’s cuteness, choosing any healthy animal with the right intention makes your Qurbani meaningful.
As I prepare for this Eid, I carry forward the lessons learned from years of buying and caring for sacrificial goats: that compassion, proper knowledge (thanks to research and elders’ wisdom), and heartfelt intention are key. May your Eid-ul-Adha be filled with joy, your sacrifices be accepted, and may you relish the company of your chosen bakra, whatever the breed, in these blessed days.
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