Bull Arab

The Bull Arab is a type of dog developed in Australia by Mike Hodgens and Heather Rea for pig hunting.[2][1][3] The dog was developed from crossing large, strong dogs of which the most common were Bull Terriers, Pointing breeds, and Greyhounds. The result was a medium to large size, short-haired, muscular dog.[2]

Bull Arab
OriginAustralia
Breed statusNot recognised as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Weight 30–50 kg (66–110 lb)[1]
Coat Short[2]
Color White with black, liver, tan or brindle patches[1]
Dog (domestic dog)

The Bull Arab was originally bred for feral pig hunting, and developed to locate pigs, pull them to the ground, and hold them by the ear.[4] The breed is able to locate feral pigs as far as 4–6 kilometres (2.5–3.7 mi) away by smell.[1]

Temperament

Bull Arabs were bred for characteristics appropriate for their role as a hunting dog, including a bull terrier's power, the speed and vision of a greyhound, and the intelligence, scenting ability and good nature of a German shorthaired pointer.[5]

The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals.[6][7]

While attacks on and killing of livestock have been attributed to Bull Arabs,[8][9][10][11][12] the Mackay Regional Council reports hunting dogs are not represented in greater numbers of dog bites than other dog breeds.[13] In a 2022 analysis of dog bite related injuries who presented to Sydney Children's Hospital from 2010 to 2020, no bites were attributed to Bull Arabs.[14]

Abandonment

Due to restrictions on rental housing agreements in Queensland that prohibit larger sized dog breeds, many large breeds of dogs including Bull Arabs are often abandoned in that state.[15] RSPCA Australia also attributes this to a perceived rise in pig hunting, with hunters not desexing their animals, resulting in litters often being dumped.[16]

See also

References
  1. Tuskers Magazine, "Intro to Australia and Bull Arabs", Adam Mirfin, February 2013, p 26.
  2. Studdert, Virginia P.; Gay, Clive C.; Blood, Douglas C. (2011). Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (4 ed.). Saunders Ltd. p. 163. ISBN 978-0702047435.
  3. Sally Harding, City dog country dog, Wakefield Press, Kent Town, 2010, ISBN 978-1-86254-915-9, p 86.
  4. The Sydney Morning Herald, "Policeman’s tussle with pig dog pack", 25 March 1979, p 20.
  5. Klement, Matt (2016). "History Of Bull Arabs". Klement Bull Arabs. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  6. Gold Coast Bulletin, "An abandoned dog has helped a Gold Coast soldier get his life back", 7 February 2016.
  7. Gold Coast Bulletin, "A hero dog is fighting for his life after saving two young boys from a brown snake at Willow Vale", 25 January 2016.
  8. Northern Daily Leader, "Dogs mauled 30 sheep", 20 May 2010, p 3.
  9. Daily Mercury, "Four sheep dead and 18 injured in dog attack", 6 April 2015.
  10. Daily Mercury, "Man scared to leave own home after dog attack", 18 December 2013.
  11. myGC.com.au, "Bull Arab put down following deadly dog attack on the Gold Coast", 10 April 2014.
  12. Fraser Coast Chronicle, "Attack dogs euthanised by council", 26 February 2011.
  13. Daily Mercury, "Mackay locals just as likely to be attacked by a Jack Russell", 20 March 2017.
  14. Sulaiman, A; Liang, D; Gianoutsos, M; Moradi, P (28 February 2022). "Paediatric dog bite injuries: a 10-year retrospective cohort analysis from Sydney Children's Hospital". ANZ Journal of Surgery. 92 (5): 1149–1152. doi:10.1111/ans.17581. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  15. Sunshine Coast Daily, "The adorable dogs everyone has forgotten to love", 16 June 2014.
  16. Brisbane Times, "Almost 25,000 animals surrendered to RSPCA Queensland", 11 January 2016.
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