The Bull Arab is a type of dog developed in Australia by Mike Hodgens and Heather Rea for pig hunting. 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.
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. The breed is able to locate feral pigs as far as away by smell.
Temperament
Bull Arabs were bred for characteristics appropriate for their role as a hunting dog, including a bull terrier's power, the speed and vision of a greyhound, and the intelligence, scenting ability and good nature of a German shorthaired pointer.
The breed is cited as being used for companion and therapy animals.
While attacks on and killing of livestock have been attributed to Bull Arabs, the Mackay Regional Council reports hunting dogs are not represented in greater numbers of dog bites than other dog breeds. 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.
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. RSPCA Australia also attributes this to a perceived rise in pig hunting, with hunters not desexing their animals, resulting in litters often being dumped.