Bull Arab
The Bull Arab is a large Australian dog, developed in Queensland from 1972 to hunt feral pigs, and it isn't recognised by any major kennel club. Its breed standard asks for a kind, loyal, placid and independent dog. At home it's usually calm and attached to its people, but it needs an hour or more of exercise a day.
| Origin | Queensland, Australia, from 1972 |
|---|---|
| Size | Large, about 61–69 cm and 30–42 kg |
| Life expectancy | Roughly 10–15 years (sources vary) |
| Energy | High, one to two hours of activity a day |
| Kennel club status | Not recognised by any major kennel club |
| Coat | Short and smooth, often white with coloured patches |
What is a Bull Arab like?
Big, loyal and even-tempered at home, with a working drive underneath. The breed standard asks for a dog that is “kind and loyal, balanced and placid”, intelligent and independent.
That same standard says a Bull Arab must show no aggression towards other dogs, and none at all towards people. A vet-written guide describes them as calm at home and deeply attached to their owners, sometimes to the point of distress when left alone for long stretches.
They’re solid dogs. The standard’s ideal is 63–69 cm and 32–42 kg for males, a little less for females. The coat is short, and Wikipedia describes the usual colouring as white with black, liver, tan or brindle patches.
Where does the Bull Arab come from?
Queensland, in the 1970s, and it was bred to hunt feral pigs. Breeder Mike Hodgens started in 1972, crossing Bull Terrier, Greyhound and German Shorthaired Pointer. Later breeders added Mastiff, Great Dane or Bloodhound to suit their own country.
It’s still mostly kept for that work: finding pigs, pulling them down and holding them by the ear. Worth saying plainly: the RSPCA opposes hunting animals for sport, and notes that pig-hunting dogs often suffer severe injuries while the pigs face fear, panic and distress.
No major kennel club recognises the Bull Arab. The Australian Bullarab Breeders Association, formed in 2007, keeps a standard and is working towards ANKC recognition. Many dogs called Bull Arabs in shelters are crosses rather than registered dogs.
How much exercise does a Bull Arab need?
A lot. A vet guide puts it at one to two hours of activity a day; PetCare Australia says 60 minutes at minimum.
A stroll round the block won’t cover it. Both sources point to an experienced owner who can keep up the exercise and training consistently, week in, week out.
The prey drive is real, too. PetCare notes some Bull Arabs don’t do well with cats, rabbits or other small pets, so a securely fenced space for running matters more than usual.
How much do Bull Arabs sleep?
Nobody has published a figure for this breed, so be wary of any number you see. What the AKC says about dogs in general: they spend as much as half the day asleep and another 30% awake but resting, and bigger breeds tend to doze more.
Is a Bull Arab a good dog to work beside?
It can be, if you put the exercise in first. A dog this attached to its people is happier with you home, and working from home means you are.
The honest version of the day: a long walk or run before you open the laptop, a proper outing at lunch, and a big dog at your feet in between. Skip the morning and you’ll have a 40-kilo colleague who wants to know what’s next.
The Bull Arab in Doggydoro
Patches, the dog you’ll see around this site, is a Bull Arab. In the app, the Bull Arab’s habit line reads: “Settles in after about four minutes.”
It’s a Pro breed. Free users start with any of the eight non-Pro breeds and earn others with bones; Pro adds the Bull Arab and the Brindle Greyhound.
You name your dog when it joins, and the card at the end of each session uses that name: “25 minutes. Biscuit dozed off around minute 4.” Meet the other breeds.
More of the dogs
- Shiba Inu: Ignores you for five minutes, then sleeps.
- Miniature Schnauzer: Keeps an eyebrow on you for five minutes.
- French Bulldog: Asleep by minute 2. Snores.
- All ten breeds
Sources
- Bull Arab — Wikipedia
- Breed Standard — Australian Bullarab Breeders Association
- The Vet's Guide to Bull Arabs — Vets Love Pets (Dr Jack Ayerbe, BVSc)
- Bull Arab Dog Breed Information — PetCare Australia
- What happens when dogs are used to hunt feral pigs? — RSPCA Knowledgebase
- What is the RSPCA's view on recreational hunting? — RSPCA Knowledgebase
- Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? — American Kennel Club