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Bull Arab |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Australia | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
BullAraber
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A brief presentation of the Bull Arab |
| The Bull Arab actually originated in Australia and is commonly known as the Australian Pig Dog, as it was originally developed to hunt and keep pigs pinned to the ground by the ear. As well as being considered a wild pig hunter, the Bull Arab is an excellent watchdog. It can be an aggressive breed and is known to have a propensity for attacking humans and has even caused death to humans through rough handling and biting. So, while some people claim the Bull Arab makes an excellent pet, it's not a breed for the faint of heart or novice dog owner. |
History of the Bull Arab |
| The origins of the Bull Arab have been documented by breeder Mike Hodgens. Hodgens began creating the breed in 1972. Hodgens wanted to create a breed that possessed the power of the English Bull Terrier, the speed and aiming ability of the Greyhound, and the scent and brains of a Pointer. It's debatable whether a breed was ever used, but it's certain that the breed was 50% English Bull Terrier and 25% Greyhound. The question is whether the remaining 25% was supplied by the German Shorthaired Pointer or the English Pointer. Some researchers claim that the German Pointer was used, while others assert that this was not the case and that the English Pointer was really used, along with the Saluki and Bloodhound. Whatever Bull Arab's ancestry, one thing's for sure: the breed quickly became Australia's top pig hunting dog. In 1981, Hodgens stopped breeding Bull Arabs, and by 1989, he had stopped breeding dogs altogether. The Bull Arab has become a very versatile breed that has become not only an excellent wild pig hunter, but also a fantastic guard dog. Some would argue that the Bull Arab is also an excellent family companion, however, there have been a number of dog attacks involving Bull Arabs. This breed has been known to attack and kill humans, so they need a strong leader in the home to train and socialize them well. Due to their aggressive and tenacious nature, Bull Arabs have been used for police work and for safety reasons, they can also be used in search and rescue. |
Appearance of the Bull Arab |
| The Bull Arab is a solidly built, symmetrical dog with a broad head in proportion to its body. They have powerful jaws that can lock to easily pin and hold a wild pig. Their eyes are slightly rounded, bright and their color will depend on the color of their coat. Darker-colored dogs will have brown eyes, lighter-colored ones amber. They have hanging ears and are medium-sized. Their noses are broad with wider nostrils and are colored to match their coat color. The Bull Arab has a smooth, short, slightly hard coat. They have a softer, thicker undercoat during the winter months. Their coat should never be fluffy, soft or long. Most Bull Arabians are predominantly white on the body, with colored patches on the body. There is usually a tic tac in the white on their bodies. Acceptable colors include black, red, brindle, liver, red, silver or blue. |
Temperament of the Bull Arab |
| The Bull Arab is a highly energetic dog that requires a strong leader to manage it. These dogs have a very strong hunting instinct and, when untrained, can become aggressive and a threat to humans and other animals. They need early socialization and ongoing training throughout their lives. The Bull Arab is a highly excitable and potentially dangerous breed. New or passive owners should not consider this breed for their family. Although some people claim that the Bull Arab is great with children, younger children should be closely supervised. They don't necessarily respect the children in the family and may challenge them to find a better position in the family. This breed is known to be aggressive, and several incidents of Bull Arab attacks on humans have been documented, some resulting in death. They do best in a home without other animals. |
Needs and activities of the Bull Arab |
| The Bull Arab has endless stamina and will run for miles in search of anything it thinks poses a potential threat. They are half-seeing and half-time, which means they will chase anything they see moving and use their nose to follow an interesting trail. The Bull Arab needs a high, secure fence to keep them out of trouble. They can be an aggressive dog and need to be trained by a dominant leader. They don't do well in dog parks, especially when smaller dogs are present. Spend at least an hour every day running trails or hiking. During exercise, plan to incorporate training routines to keep them on their toes. |
Maintenance of the Bull Arab |
| The Bull Arab is not a high-maintenance breed. They should be brushed once a week with a smooth or natural bristle brush. When the seasons change, they need to be brushed more often to prevent the hair getting loose and sticking to clothes, furniture and the floor. They have the kind of short undercoat that can float through the air and land in food or drink if left unchecked. They don't need to be bathed often, it may be wise to wash them with warm water when they start to shed to speed up the process. They have floppy ears and can easily trap moisture and dirt. Clean their ears weekly to prevent possible infections from becoming a problem. Bull Arabians need to have their toenails trimmed every few weeks. If you don't like trimming toenails, ask your groomer or vet to do it for you. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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