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, English Mastiffs 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]
While attacks on and killing of livestock have been attributed to Bull Arabs,[5][6][7][8][9] the Mackay Regional Council reports hunting dogs are not represented in greater numbers of dog bites than other dog breeds.[10] 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.[11]
One example of the breed is cited as being used as a therapy animal.[12]
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.[13]RSPCA Australia also attributes this to a perceived rise in pig hunting, with hunters not desexing their animals, resulting in litters often being dumped.[14]
