INDIA-DOG-0600: This Himalayan breed dog now becomes India's fourth registered indigenous breed

The Gaddi dog, a Himalayan breed known for assisting shepherds, has been officially recognized by India's National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). This recognition makes the Gaddi the fourth Indian dog breed to receive this status, following the Rajapalayam, Chippiparai, and Mudhol Hound.

The NBAGR notified the Himachal Pradesh governmeant of the decision on January 6th, assigning the breed the accession number "INDIA-DOG-0600_GADDI_19004". The Himachal Pradesh government's animal husbandry department applied for the recognition in December 2022 after years of research.

The NBAGR conducted on-site evaluations and interviews with shepherds over the past eighteen months to assess the breed. The recognition solidifies the Gaddi dog's scientific characterization, including morphology and genomics, ensuring its characteristics are now definitively recorded. This documentation will help maintain breed purity and aid in identification.


The project to gain recognition for the Gaddi dog began formally in 2019, spearheaded by former Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhary, who first proposed the idea in 2015. A dedicated unit at the College of Veterinary and Animal Science (COVAS), Palampur University, reared Gaddi pups to study their genetic makeup and health. The team also gathered data from shepherds across Himachal Pradesh. This research was compiled and submitted to the NBAGR.

The COVAS unit continues to breed Gaddi dogs, primarily distributing puppies to shepherds. Some pups are also available to the public.

“The recognition was long overdue. For me, it’s a dream come true. I am thankful to the faculty and staff of the College of Veterinary Sciences, CSKHPKV, Palampur, for making this happen,” said Chawdhary.