Thursday, August 7, 2014

Bull Arab: A Look at the Rare Australian Dog Breed


The Bull Arab is a loyal and friendly breed that is quite hard to come by outside of its native Australia.

History of the Bull Arab Breed
The origin of the Bull Arab can be traced back to 1970's Australia. Breeder Mick Hodgens began experimenting with various breeds in hopes of creating a superior pig herding and driving dog, and eventually the Bull Arab was born. Enthusiasts believe the Bull Arab to have been developed by crossing such breeds as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier, though Hodgens is yet to give his secret away.

Throughout its history, the Bull Arab has been most commonly used for hunting and tracking large game, herding and driving pigs, and as a watch and guard dog, proving its superior abilities to work while providing protection and companionship.

Today, while the Bull Arab has attained an underground popularity as a working and companion dog, the breed remains rather rare outside of Australia.

Benefits and Disadvantages of the Bull Arab Dog Breed
When properly socialized from a young age, the Bull Arab gets along well with children and other pets, known for its gentle and sweet approach to small children. These dogs are protective and territorial, making effective watch and guards dogs, by announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors, and serving as a deterrent to would-be intruders. The Bull Arab is obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent working dog, family pet, and companion alike.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Bull Arab. These energetic and active dogs require large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Bull Arab not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.

The Bull Arab has a strong instinct to hunt and herd, and will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these dogs are very quick, and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. The Bull Arab must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.

As previously mentioned, the Bull Arab remains rather rare outside of its native Australia and can prove difficult to obtain. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.

Common Health Concerns in the Bull Arab Dog Breed
While the Bull Arab is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: epilepsy, primary lens luxation -dislocation of the lens, cataracts, glaucoma, cryptorchidism - failure of one or both of the testicles to fully descend, and bloat.


Source:
http://www.heydogs.com/b/bull-arab.html

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