Does Size Matter? Life As A Big Dog Owner

We recently adopted Ace, a 5YO Bull Arab. When he came into our family, he weighed 42kg, 42kgs I hear you say, that’s NOT big. You would be right, but size is relative, I guess. I have always loved big dogs and I’m very comfortable around them, however as we have always been Labrador & Retriever owners so to us a dog that weighs 42kg, and stands as tall as a dining table is big.

Now, as a dog trainer I have had plenty of experience with dog training and behaviour problems in large breed dogs such as a 65kg Mastiff and a 50kg German Shepard (and many more), but living with a big dog is new to us, and it’s been eye opening.

As a Bull Arab, Ace is a hybrid breed dog with ancestry linked to the English Bull Terrier, Greyhound, shorthair Pointers, and later, larger breeds like the Mastiff and Great Dane to increase the size of the breed. Also known as the Australian Pig Dog or Aussie Pig Dog, the Bull Arab is of Australian origin and was specifically bred to create the ultimate dog to track, chase and kill wild boars. Bull Arabs are not a recognised breed by any major kennel club.

There are lots of big things about Ace. Most noticeable to anyone who take the time to know him, is that Ace has a big personally. He is goofy, loving, loyal, intelligent, playful, strong and stubborn, all rolled in into one. Ace has a lot of facial expressions; we are still trying to work out what they all mean.

Ace has the Greyhound deep chest, long muscular hindquarters and is definitely built for sprinting not a marathon. Note to self, do not get in his way when he is doing zoomies, he will kneecap you! A 20 minute walk each day and a couple of games of fetch and tug in the yard, will set him up nicely to snooze away the rest of the day.

Ace has big, strong jaws. Designed to be able to lock to pin and hold a wild pig, we have been working on the “Give” cue to get him to release a toy from his mouth. Initially unwilling to give up his toy and also holding it for extra security with his paws, Ace will now happily release the toy which I promptly use to engage him back in play. He will also let me brush his teeth now.

Ace also has a big appetite (well its huge actually). When Ace was rehomed to us, he didn’t eat much, would leave food in his bowl, we was fussy, would regularly spit out foods he didn’t like when I gave them to him. He has since developed a love of all foods, maybe that’s because his fur sibling is a Labrador! With his appetite and daily food needs, of course comes BIG poo’s. Now after always having Labradors, we are used to sizable poo, but Ace take this to a new level. 

Ace will lay on your feet, sit on your lap when he jumps up to get a cuddle on the couch, rest his head, chest and/or legs on your body while you are in bed.  If he is unwell, he will seek comfit by laying as much of his body on yours as is possible. Super comfy, ummmm not. But do we move him, ummm nope.

Ace has a big voice, yep, he’s vocal, not all the time, but when he feels he needs to be, he lets it rip. He has a huge deep loud alert bark. It still catches us unaware if he hears something we don’t, and it scares the crap out of us. His happy or attention barking is only slight lower in volume in and a little softer in tone. I’ve got to admit I’m growing to love it, its uniquely Ace.  

Owning a big dog that doesn’t have a super soft body and face like our Labrador brings a whole new level of interest from passers-by when out walking. I’ve had people cross the street to avoid us as some people just do not like big breeds. The same is true of visitors to our home and food delivery people. Thanks to the delivery guy who backed up quickly when we opened the door (there was a screen door between them) and promptly set the takeaway food down in the driveway and fled. Some people think Ace looks scary and to people who don’t have much dog experience or have only owned small dogs, he probably does look scary. Yes, it would be great if everyone looked at Ace through our eyes, but that’s never gonna happen. I’m ok with that, it makes us love him all the more because we can see his true self.