Barn Hunt

Monday, August 01, 2022

Summary

Barn Hunt is based on the hunting and teamwork skills used by Ratcatchers and their dogs who traveled the countryside ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin.

Dogs are trained to identify the scent of a Rat (kept safely in a ventilated tube) in a barn-like area, the ring uses stray/hay bales to create climbing and tunneling pathways. The sport tests the speed, agility, hunt drive, scenting ability, surefootedness, control and responsiveness to handler direction. Barn Hunt is a very inclusive sport, open to all breeds (purebred, mixed breed, with or without a vermin-hunting history) and tripawds.

Stats

Experience Needed for Trials/Events:

Physical requirements of dog:

Physical requirements of human:

Investment:

Highlights

High drive dogs generally _love_ this sport
Great for dogs and handlers of all ages!
- Handlers under 18 can enter the Juniors program
The rats are bred for the Barn Hunt environment (comfortable handled in tube, being around dogs and people, friendly)