Bull Arab

The Bull Arab is a type of dog developed in Australia for pig hunting.[2][1][3] The dog was developed from crossing large, strong dogs of which the most common were Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Greyhounds, and Mastiffs.[2] 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 have a calm temperament, are highly intelligent[5][6] and easily trainable,[6] and are known for their loyalty and their love of people.[5]

The breed has a reputation for aggression[7] which according to RSPCA Australia is due to the media and public perception.[8] Attacks on people in several states of Australia have been attributed to the breed,[9][10] although according to the Mackay Regional Council proportionally in no greater numbers than other dog breeds.[11] 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.[12][13][14][15][16] 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.[11]

The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals.[17][18]

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.[6] 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]

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. The Northern Echo, "Tyson actively seeks a home", 8 August 2012, p 10.
  6. Sunshine Coast Daily, "The adorable dogs everyone has forgotten to love", 16 June 2014.
  7. Noosa News, "Safe dog keeping takes a real mauling", 29 August 2015.
  8. South Burnett Times, "RSPCA launches adopt a bull breed campaign", 22 March 2017.
  9. Sunshine Coast Daily, "Another one: 66 dog attacks too many this year", 13 August 2014.
  10. The Courier-Mail, "Two dogs responsible for savage attack on Sunshine Coast jogger 'looking for artery' ", 4 December 2014.
  11. Daily Mercury, "Mackay locals just as likely to be attacked by a Jack Russell", 20 March 2017.
  12. Northern Daily Leader, "Dogs mauled 30 sheep", 20 May 2010, p 3.
  13. Daily Mercury, "Four sheep dead and 18 injured in dog attack", 6 April 2015.
  14. Daily Mercury, "Man scared to leave own home after dog attack", 18 December 2013.
  15. myGC.com.au, "Bull Arab put down following deadly dog attack on the Gold Coast", 10 April 2014.
  16. Fraser Coast Chronicle, "Attack dogs euthanised by council", 26 February 2011.
  17. Gold Coast Bulletin, "An abandoned dog has helped a Gold Coast soldier get his life back", 7 February 2016.
  18. 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.
  19. Brisbane Times, "Almost 25,000 animals surrendered to RSPCA Queensland", 11 January 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.