Bull Terrior/Pig Dogs!

[ubba82]

Lulu- Im with you.

[Bengal]

I am confused, are you talking about a Bull Terrier ? The ones with the long snout ?

Do they hunt wild pigs ?

[Bengal]

Though they are not ideal for a first-time dog owner, because of their power and difficulty to train, their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, which makes them thoroughly reliable pets. Both body and mind need to be kept active and they can be fun and playful. They are typically very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children, and usually have a high pain threshold, which reduces the risk of injury to children from a defensive bite. Younger dogs, however, may regard children as playmates and because of their strength could cause inadvertent injury. They are protective of children in their charge, and the females are especially noted for this. Bull Terriers make formidable guard dogs while their owners are away. The American Temperament Test Society, Inc. (ATTS), a not-for-profit organization that promotes uniform temperament testing for dog breeds, gives the Bull Terrier a pass rate of 92.1% as of the 25/8/8. The average for all breeds is 81.5%.

The English bull terrier is a great family dog as they are calm and relaxed but will play and become very active when played with they are very lovable and should be great with children when socialized at a early age.

[Salsa]

i love these dogs. I dont think i will ever get one though.

As far as hunting dogs go, those i know with them keep them as hunting animals. they have them separate from the pets. They are not a pet, and I think with that breed it would be too confusing and unfair for them to be expected to go out hunting sometimes and to be a good family pet the rest of the time.

[LimeSlice]

I agree with Lulu and others.
I was raised with shepherds and farm dogs my whole life, so I am no prude about dogs around kids. But hunting dogs that are used as hunting dogs need not to be treated as pets - they are simply not pets. And especially around kids is just irresponsible imo.
You are much better off getting another shepherd. You can get the puppies that dont make it as police dogs, just call the K9 division of the police in your state and they will tell you when the next intake is up. That way you know they have been socialised, temperament tested and have begun training. They are excellent dogs around kids, even littleys, when trained properly

Good luck!

[Lulu]

Nope Pigdogs ARE ugly cos they are such a strange mix. Not talking about Bullies!

[helle]

Thanks for everyones opions! Obviously I'm going to do some extensive research before we take the plunge in getting one (if they are suitable for us) as a)I don't want one hurting my family or the dog I already have and B)I don't what to rehome, or have to put one down.

LImeslice, we actually have a german shepherd already who is a gorgeous boy and wonderful around our neices and nephews, who range from 8 months to 5 years old. But as much as I trust him I would never leave him alone with them, I would never leave any dog unattended with a child.

[DaintreeDream]

An article I found when googling pig doggers....

Busting the Myth of The Vicious Pig Dog.
Tony O'Toole Ex President Australian Pig Doggers & Hunters Association.

Those with an ill-informed and biased point of view have long perpetuated the urban myth of the vicious pig dog. This booklet has been produced by the Australian Pig Doggers & Hunters Association to help dispel this myth and show the so-called pig dog as a loved and obedient family pet.
Responsible and caring owners, from all walks of life, who see their dogs as part of the family, use the dogs shown in all the pictures in the hunting of pigs. Far from being savage killers they help control a feral pest, that causes devastating damage to our natural environment, by finding and holding the pig so it can be dispatched quickly and humanely.

Dr. Kersti Seksel, a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Behaviour, in her report to the New South Wales Government on issues related to dangerous dog legislation in July 2002, stated that since 1978 there has been only 11 deaths in Australia related to dog attack. Death caused by human and others against humans is far more prevalent. Shark attacks caused 35 fatalities in the past 30 years. In 2002 alone there were 963 homicide related offences and 159,548 assaults in Australia.

Her study also found that Dangerous Dogs made up less than 1% of the registered Australian dog population. Over 40% of dogs in Australia are cross breeds and are not listed in the top 10 breeds of dog involved in attacks.

Pig dogs are never used to kill feral pigs and on there own do not really have the capacity to do so. They are trained and used by the hunter to find the pig in thick country and then either bail or hold the pig by the ear so that the pig can be humanely dispatched. Most pigs caught using this method are in the weight range of 40 - 100 kg, by dogs that weigh between 20 - 55 kg and with the physical make up of the pig it would be virtually impossible for the dog to kill the pig.

Dr. Seksel also states there are three key factors that determine whether a dog will be aggressive toward humans at a particular point in time.

Genetic Predisposition
Previous learning experience
Current environment

All experienced hunters when looking for a pup or dog and when breeding dogs for pig hunting look at these key factors. For their dogs to work as a team and to live with their families they require dogs that are non-human aggressive, healthy, intelligent, obedient and stable.

The vast majority of dogs featured in reports on dog attacks are not used for hunting purposes and such aggressive dogs would not be suitable for hunting as a team with other dogs and humans.

The dogs used in hunting pigs must be capable of working as a team by finding and flushing the pig from thick bush and then holding it by the ear so it can be dispatched by the hunter. A dog that shows no control and attacks and bites the pig during this process is highly undesirable as it causes undue stress on the pig and places the other dogs and handlers at risk of injury until the pig is dispatched.

[christy]

I just have to say that although Kirsti is fantastic and I actually did some training with her, that article was about studies in 2002 and a lot has changed in the past 6 years as far as dog training, behavioural assessments and breeding. I do agree with the dogs behaviour stemming from the 3 areas, thats what makes up animal behaviour.

Bull Terriers are NOT pig dogs. They are two different breeds, two different lines... Pig Dogs are closer to Pit Bulls than Bull Terriers. If a dog is bred to attack and kill wild boars, it is in No way safe for families.

[DaintreeDream]

I think it also depends in the way in which the dog is taught to hunt. If it is taught to hunt and kill then no I agree it is not suitable. If it is taught to pick, bail (and maybe even hold) the pig, I personally think that this is different.

Sorry I should also have pointed out that it was an older article but it gives you an idea.

Maybe if your DH is interested in hunting with a dog he could contact a humane and ethical hunting association and have a chat?

Lulu - I have been known for loving ugly things When I chose my first cabbage patch doll I HAD to have bald one with a scruff of hair, because I felt sorry for it everyone/thing deserves a little love, even the ugly!

[Lulu]

DD - google pigdogs and you will see what I mean, they are trained to crawl through the bush and JUMP on the boars. They usually wear armor to do so - feral pigs have massive tusks. It's a bloodsport. Literally (ick).

In order to be a good pigdog, they must be bred big and sometimes bulky, so we are talking mastiff X's and staghounds etc.
My brother had a litter of pups stolen once and he was shattered as they were the culmination of years of breeding. He went to the neighbours and let them know the dogs were piggers, not suitable to be sold and not much use to anyone else. They reappeared magically in the backyard 2 days later......

[Hummingbird]

Hi Everyone,

I don't have one of these dogs but I have meet quite a few owners who say they are big softies, placid and trustworthly...maybe a little biased.

All of this is well and good however no dog should be trusted with children, especially dogs who are bred for anything violent, the smallest nip (no matter how intended) can cause such damage. Small dogs, big dogs...they all have teeth and look at how they play with each other.

I think that a dog can be a great companion for kids and it's good for kids to be comfortable with pets, but I also think alot of a dogs temprement is how you raise them and if you were to get a bully or pigdog AND take it hunting, not sure if it would be able to keep hunting and home life separate?

But all that said, I think these dogs are gorgeous !

[DaintreeDream]

I had a pet bull terrier (pure bred) growing up and I loved her to bits.

When I was about 4 or 5 my dad bought home our new pet, a bull terrier that was given to him at work that day, how did this happen? he was at work (a muffler shop) when a customer pulled up with a bull terrier in the car, it was young but fully grown, it had marks and blood everywhere, it turned out that its parents would attack and fight it when ever they were unattended so this guy had to take it everywhere until he found her a new home. Well my dad fell in love and bought her home .

She was the most pleasent, placid, loving dog ever, (we also had a Chihuahua at home, she was the knarky one). Our bull terrier, who had been named 'Keg' by the previous owners was wonderful, she wouldn't hurt a fly, I used to constantly use her as a pillow I have photos somewhere... I will see if I can find one. My parents never ever hesitating in leaving us alone together.

We used to go hunting when I was young, mainly rabbit hunting, and Keg would come with us. She would fetch the dead rabbits, but she did not hunt them alive as such.

Our dog Keg was beautiful. She had a rough start to life but with our love she was a wonderful pet. She died when I was a young teenager after we moved house and the new neighbour had said he didn't trust bull terriers... we think she was poisened. I now have a Kelpie that I have had for the past 13 years...

I can in no way speak about all bull terriers and the way they will be around children. I personally would not trust a hunting dog around my children even though I am contradicting my dog/upbringing, with the hunting side of things I guess we did it right and we were lucky. I would not teach a dog to hunt if they were to be a family pet.

I just thought that I would tell you my story of my beloved dog that I trusted with my life and yes she was a bull terrier

[Lulu]

google pigdoggers and pig dog, then think about if you want one of them!

Besides the fact they are bred to immobilise/kill feral pigs they are the UGLIEST buggers ever....

[DaintreeDream]

They are far from ugly Lulu... those snouts are beautiful (but I am biased).
Also, I believe, if they are raised correctly, with love, affection and no hunting (even sometimes with hunting as I have lived) they can be wonderful, reliable pets.