Bull Arab Pet Insurance | Compare Policies & Prices | Savvy  

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Find out all about Bull Arabs and their common health conditions, and then compare pet insurance options from some of Australia’s leading insurers.

Written by , updated on September 15th, 2023

Price range

$200–$800

Height

61cm - 70cm

Weight

30kg - 46kg

Personality

Alert, strong, loyal

Coat length

Short, smooth

Exercise needs

Very high

Kid-friendly?

No

Life expectancy

10 - 12 years

Overview

The Bull Arab, or Australian Pig Dog, is a robust and versatile large breed of dog originating from Australia in the 1970s. They are a strong working dog bred to hunt feral pigs in rural areas of NSW and Queensland. They were bred by crossing English Bull Terrier, Greyhound, and either German or English Short Pointer genetics. Later breeders added Bloodhound and English Mastiff genes into the breed. They are still not officially recognised as a breed by the Australian National Kennel Council. The breed is currently considered unstable, meaning the results of breeding two such dogs can produce a litter with a variety of the parent characteristics.

They are a tall, muscular dog that has a square face and powerful jaw. Their short coat requires minimal grooming. Bull Arabs are known for their courage and versatility and are now being used as police dogs and guard dogs. They are intelligent but require very early socialisation and consistent training with an experienced owner of large dogs. They are not suitable as family pets.

Common diseases and conditions of Bull Arabs

Hip Dysplasia: This is a common orthopaedic condition in many large dog breeds, and affects the hip joint's development. It can lead to discomfort and mobility issues.

Breed-specific issues:

The strong prey drive and hunting instincts of Bull Arabs may lead them to chase smaller animals, so close supervision is necessary around other pets and all children. They require very regular strenuous exercise and mental stimulation.

How much does pet insurance cost for a Bull Arab?

Most Australians can expect to pay between $20 and $60 a month for pet insurance. There are many factors that can influence the cost of pet insurance for your Bull Arab, including the following:

Age: The older your dog is, the more pet insurance is likely to cost. This is because senior dogs tend to have more physical health conditions and illnesses due to age, and so present a higher insurance risk.   
Type of insurance you choose:  There are three basic types of pet insurance available in Australia; accident-only, accident and illness, and comprehensive insurance. An accident-only policy is the cheapest type of insurance available, with comprehensive coverage costing the most. 
The policy annual limit: Each pet insurance policy has an annual limit, which is the maximum amount that will be paid out on the policy in one financial year. Annual limits range from around $10,000 up to $25,000 or more.  
Sub-limits: In addition to an annual limit, there may also be sub-limits that apply to the policy, for example, a $300 sub limit for consultation fees, or a $5,000 limit for cruciate ligament conditions.  
Benefit percentage: Pet insurance does not cover 100% of the cost of your vet bill. Instead, it may pay a percentage of the total bill. This can range from 50% for cheaper policies, up to 90% for the best policies available.  
Excess amount: This is the amount you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each time you make a claim on your policy. Some pet insurance policies do not come with an excess amount, whilst others do. 
Any add-ons you choose: It’s possible to add on more cover options to a basic policy, such as emergency boarding fees, routine care and dental care. These add-ons extend the scope of your pet insurance, but do increase the overall cost of the policy.
Discounts: some insurers offer discounts of between 5% and 15% if you have multiple pets insured together, if you pay your premium annually, or if you bundle your pet insurance with other forms of insurance with the same company.

Types of pet insurance you can choose from

Accident-only

This is the most basic type of pet insurance, covering costs for accidental injuries such as car accidents, poisoning, burns, fractures, snake and spider bites, but not illnesses and other conditions.

Accident and illness

This type of insurance provides cover for accidental injuries as well as illnesses like cancer, gastrointestinal problems and eye, ear and skin conditions, but not routine care for your pet.

Comprehensive

This offers the highest level of protection, covering accident and illness and potentially routine care such as vaccinations, dental care, worm and flea treatments and microchipping.

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Common questions about Bull Arabs

Are Bull Arab dogs aggressive?

Yes, they can be, and are considered a highly excitable and potentially dangerous breed. They have been associated with a number of serious attacks on humans. Bull Arab dogs were bred to be pig-hunting and working dogs, so their behaviour will largely depend on their training, socialisation, and early upbringing. They should never be left unsupervised with children or other pets.

What is the typical colour and appearance of a Bull Arab dog?

Bull Arab dogs are known for their large and muscular build. Their appearance can vary, but they have broad heads and strong, athletic bodies, with light fur including many colours such as white, cream, black, red, blue and brindle.

How much exercise do Bull Arab dogs require?

A lot! Bull Arab dogs are highly active and require ample exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. Daily walks, playtime, and access to a secure yard with strong fencing are recommended to meet their exercise needs.

Are Bull Arab dogs suitable for families with young children?

No. Bull Arab dogs were bred to be pig-hunting dogs. However, they can potentially become pets if properly socialised and carefully trained. They are known for their loyalty and protective nature, which makes them good guard dogs for strong adults familiar with handling large working dogs.

More dog breeds

Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier

Border Terrier

Border Terrier

Standard Poodle

Standard Poodle

Irish Terrier

Irish Terrier

Field Spaniel

Field Spaniel

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

American Bulldog

American Bulldog

American Foxhound

American Foxhound

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Disclaimer and important things you should know

Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.

We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.

For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.