Bull Arab

The Bull Arab is an Australian breed of pig hunting dog[1][2] that is not recognised by any kennel club.

Bull Arab
Other namesBA, Arab
OriginAustralia
Breed statusNot recognised as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Weight 30–50 kg (66–110 lb)[1]
Color Bicolour or flecked white with black, liver or tan[1]
Dog (domestic dog)

Breeding and use

The Bull Arab was developed in the 1970s by crossing the Bull Terrier, German Shorthaired Pointer and Greyhound,[3][4] although it has been variously described as a cross of the Pointer and a terrier,[5] the Great Dane and a mastiff,[6] or the Doberman and Bull Terrier.[7]

The Bull Arab was originally bred for feral pig hunting purposes, being specially developed to locate pigs, pull them to the ground, and hold them by the ear.[5] The breed has an acute sense of smell and is able to locate feral pigs as far as 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away.[1]

Temperament

Bull Arabs have a calm temperament, are highly intelligent[4][8] and easily trainable,[8] and are known for their loyalty and their love of people.[4]

The breed has a reputation for aggression[9] which according to RSPCA Australia is due to the media and public perception.[10] Attacks on people in several states of Australia have been attributed to the breed,[11][12] although according to the Mackay Regional Council proportionally in no greater numbers than other dog breeds.[13] Attacks on livestock including the killing of a number of sheep and other animals have been attributed to Bull Arabs that had escaped their owners and/or confinement.[14][15][16][17][18] It has been stated that there is a little hard data to support the breed's reputation for aggression and the perception problems are caused by the people who own the dogs and a lack of socialisation.[13]

The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals.[19][20]

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.[8] RSPCA Australia also attributes this to a perceived rise in pig hunting, with hunters not desexing their animals, resulting in litters often being dumped.[21]

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References
  1. Tuskers Magazine, "Intro to Australia and Bull Arabs", February 2013, p 26.
  2. Sally Harding, City dog country dog, Wakefield Press, Kent Town, 2010, ISBN 978-1-86254-915-9, p 86.
  3. Lismore Echo, "Bull Arab with a touch of everything", 9 November 2016.
  4. The Northern Echo, "Tyson actively seeks a home", 8 August 2012, p 10.
  5. The Sydney Morning Herald, "Policeman’s tussle with pig dog pack", 25 March 1979, p 20.
  6. Illawarra Mercury, "Gentle Viper", 25 October, 2000, p 55.
  7. The Age, "Dog factions row breeds loads of bad feelings", 5 November 2005.
  8. Sunshine Coast Daily, "The adorable dogs everyone has forgotten to love", 16 June 2014.
  9. Noosa News, "Safe dog keeping takes a real mauling", 29 August 2015.
  10. South Burnett Times, "RSPCA launches adopt a bull breed campaign", 22 March 2017.
  11. Sunshine Coast Daily, "Another one: 66 dog attacks too many this year", 13 August 2014.
  12. The Courier-Mail, "Two dogs responsible for savage attack on Sunshine Coast jogger 'looking for artery' ", 4 December 2014.
  13. Daily Mercury, "Mackay locals just as likely to be attacked by a Jack Russell", 20 March 2017.
  14. Northern Daily Leader, "Dogs mauled 30 sheep", 20 May 2010, p 3.
  15. Daily Mercury, "Four sheep dead and 18 injured in dog attack", 6 April 2015.
  16. Daily Mercury, "Man scared to leave own home after dog attack", 18 December 2013.
  17. myGC.com.au, "Bull Arab put down following deadly dog attack on the Gold Coast", 10 April 2014.
  18. Fraser Coast Chronicle, "Attack dogs euthanised by council", 26 February 2011.
  19. Gold Coast Bulletin, "An abandoned dog has helped a Gold Coast soldier get his life back", 7 February 2016.
  20. 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.
  21. Brisbane Times, "Almost 25,000 animals surrendered to RSPCA Queensland", 11 January 2016.
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