G'day,
I am no authority on bull arabs but I might be able to fill in some gaps. They originated through crosses of German shorthaired pointer, Eng bull terrier and greyhound, Bloodhound and I think Eng pointer were added later. They have been around as a type since the 1970s but it was some time after that that they settled into what you see today. They are not a kennel club breed but the bull arab men are working towards that recognition.
I have only ever seen one work, they are more popular in other parts of Oz than my home town. The one I saw work was a 12 month old pup called Bucks bred by a respected hunter and dog man Lee Payne. I don't know Lee personally although we have chatted on the computer. I'll try to post some pix of the pigs he catches.
I know Brian Neal but not well yet. He is a well known name in Oz dogging circles and some swear by his dogs and others don't like the bloke. He's never been anything but helpful and respectful to me so I haven't got anything but positives to say about him. I've never seen his dogs work but there is ample evidence on the Oz sites of his dogs catching plentyu of pigs.
The dogs are designed to be finder holders, the same as most Oz pig dogs. The one I saw at 12 months was happily a one out dog that could find well on the ground and off the tray (rig dog?) Beautifully made animal.
I know most of you guys hunt differently to us preferring specialist finding dogs and seperate holders so the bull arab might not be what you are after. If you want an all rounder though, they might be the ticket.
I hunt my own line of dogs so I haven't got into them but if I had my hunting life over a few times, one of those lives owuld be spent with bull arabs. A man called Peter Paulsen has provided pretty well all the current bull arab stock in Oz after getting original dogs from the dog trader who first did the cross and made up the name as a sales tool.
So that's what I know about them So Brian Neal, Peter Paulsen and Lee Payne would be the three best known breeders I can think of.
As to whether or not it's worth getting one over there, that would be a matter for you guys. Blokes out here import dogs from overseas just to see what will happen and it's a lot more expensive bringing in a Us dog to here than the reverse because of the rabies etc you blokes have. Our quarantine is super strict.
Anyway here's a pic of Bucks at 12 months with owner Brett...
