Bull Arab – Wikipedia

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Dog breed

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[edit]

Bull Arabs were bred for a temperament appropriate for their role as a hunting dog. They have a strong prey drive they have a tendency to chase smaller dogs and animals and are said to require early socialization with other dogs to prevent aggressive behavior.

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The breed has a reputation for aggression.[5] Attacks on people, including children, have been attributed to the breed and have resulted in serious injury.[6][7][8] Although the Mackay Regional Council reports hunting dogs are not represented in greater numbers of dog bites than other dog breeds,[9] larger and more aggressive dogs like the Bull Arab are more likely to cause serious injury or death during an attack.[10] Attacks on livestock, including the killing of a number of sheep and other animals, have been attributed to Bull Arabs.[11][12][13][14][15]

The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals.[16][17]

Abandonment[edit]

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.[18]RSPCA Australia also attributes this to a perceived rise in pig hunting, with hunters not desexing their animals, resulting in litters often being dumped.[19]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Tuskers Magazine, “Intro to Australia and Bull Arabs”, Adam Mirfin, February 2013, p 26.
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ Noosa News, “Safe dog keeping takes a real mauling”, 29 August 2015.
  6. ^ Sunshine Coast Daily, “Another one: 66 dog attacks too many this year”, 13 August 2014.
  7. ^ The Courier-Mail, “Two dogs responsible for savage attack on Sunshine Coast jogger ‘looking for artery’ “, 4 December 2014.
  8. ^ “Young girl in serious condition after dog attack south of Brisbane, two unregistered dogs put down by Logan City Council”. ABC News. ABC News. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  9. ^ Daily Mercury, “Mackay locals just as likely to be attacked by a Jack Russell”, 20 March 2017.
  10. ^ “Dog Bite Statistics”. World Animal Foundation. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  11. ^ Northern Daily Leader, “Dogs mauled 30 sheep”, 20 May 2010, p 3.
  12. ^ Daily Mercury, “Four sheep dead and 18 injured in dog attack”, 6 April 2015.
  13. ^ Daily Mercury, “Man scared to leave own home after dog attack”, 18 December 2013.
  14. ^ myGC.com.au, “Bull Arab put down following deadly dog attack on the Gold Coast”, 10 April 2014.
  15. ^ Fraser Coast Chronicle, “Attack dogs euthanised by council”, 26 February 2011.
  16. ^ Gold Coast Bulletin, “An abandoned dog has helped a Gold Coast soldier get his life back”, 7 February 2016.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Sunshine Coast Daily, “The adorable dogs everyone has forgotten to love”, 16 June 2014.
  19. ^ Brisbane Times, “Almost 25,000 animals surrendered to RSPCA Queensland”, 11 January 2016.


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