Miniature Galloways have all the characteristics and qualities of Galloways and Belted Galloways, only offering it in a smaller package which may be beneficial for small acreages.

Bulls at 10 to 12 months of age are to be no taller than 110 cm at the hip with the maximum height at maturity, 4 years, and for showing, being 125cm at the hip. Females at 10 to 12 months of age are to be no taller than 105 cm at the hip and the maximum height at maturity, also considered to be 4 years, and for showing, is 120cm at the hip.

In 1997, rules were introduced to allow the registration of Miniature Galloways, Miniature Belted Galloways and miniature White Galloways.  These animals share the same rules for registration as Galloways and Belted Galloways, with the exception that they must comply with strict height regulations and not be deformed in any manner.

This was as a result of Mrs Gina Sutherland, of Wannawin Stud, writing to the Committee of the Australian Galloway Association to request the consideration for registration of one bull and five heifers. The bull and one heifer were bred by Mrs Sutherland, and the other four heifers were from cows she purchased from a pure commercial herd of Galloways. The bull, Wannawin Chocolate Soldier, was born on 25 August 1994, and when measured at 20 months old on 1 May 1996, he recorded a hip height of 72 cm. The heifers selected for registration were based on their size, trueness to type, structural correctness and an average weight of 315kg.

After much discussion the Committee of the time agreed to deem these cattle as purebreds, and they were accepted as Miniature Galloways. Once the rules were released to members many came forward with different types and colours of Galloways and Belted Galloways which fitted in with the height regulations, and they also became registered as Miniature Galloways.

Mrs Sutherland had the vision of a place in the beef industry for Miniature Galloway cattle, and her vision has truly taken off with the numbers of Miniature Galloways being registered increasing every year.

The Association developed a Miniature Hip Height Chart. The Hip Height Chart was introduced as a form of quality control and a way of assessing an animal’s growth pattern and to give purchasers some comfort that the animal they are buying truly is a miniature animal. The Miniature status is generally achieved by breeding miniature Galloways with other Miniature Galloways, or smaller framed Galloways. Of course, this can sometimes result in miniature Galloways growing over height, at which time, they lose their miniature status and revert to full size registration. While it is impossible to guarantee that an animal will not grow above a certain height, with the introduction of the Miniature Hip Height Recording Form breeders and purchasers will have more information on which to base their decision as to whether they think the animal is likely to be a miniature.