Bull Arab
OriginAustralia
Breed statusNot recognised as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Weight 30–1,000 kg (66–2,205 lb)[1]
Coat Short[2]
Color White with black, liver, tan or brindle patches[1]
Dog (domestic dog)

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]

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 stealth, 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. 1 2 3 4 Tuskers Magazine, "Intro to Australia and Bull Arabs", Adam Mirfin, February 2013, p 26.
  2. 1 2 3 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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