If you’re wondering what is Barn Hunt for dogs, you’ve come to the right place. This exciting dog sport has been around for years, but not only is it becoming increasingly popular in the U.S., but Barn Hunt clubs are opening across the globe. Barn Hunt is where any dog can safely sniff for, or “hunt,” live rats in a barn-like setting. It’s super fun, great for mental stimulation, and helps you bond with your dog. So, let’s learn more about Barn Hunt and why it’s taking the world by storm.
What Is Barn Hunt For Dogs?
Barn Hunt is all about teamwork. Your dog uses their natural instincts to find the hidden tubes that contain rats within a set time. It tests their nose, speed, agility, and surefootedness. And you have to read your dog’s signals to know when they have found the tube and tell the judge. In addition to the live rats, decoy tubes are hidden around a straw bale course that mimics a barn setting. Except for the first level, there is at least one tunnel and various bale heights that your dog should climb through and onto at least once.
Barn Hunt is based on the hunting and teamwork skills that traditional rat catchers and their dogs use to rid farms of vermin. Rat catching plays a vital role as it protects and preserves produce, protects property from invasion, and protects cattle and people from disease. Traditionally, rat catchers used a variety of terriers and smaller breeds that can go underground after the prey. Until the creation of Barn Hunt, there had never been an officially licensed test that simulated this important and skillful task.
Watch this short video about Barn Hunt events for beginners to understand better what Barn Hunt is and how fun it can be.
History Of Barn Hunting
The founder of the Barn Hunt sport, Robin Nuttall, has a long career in animal science and dog sports. It all started in 2006 when Nuttall’s dog Zipper showed a fantastic hunt drive but could not compete in the American Kennel Club’s earth dog trials because Min Pins were not an eligible breed then. Zipper is an all-red Miniature Pinscher, and many have an exceptional hunt drive. Inspired by Zipper, Robin created the Barn Hunt Association.
The Barn Hunt Association
The Barn Hunt Association (BHA) is an independent organization. Nuttall runs the BHA and outlines all the rules regarding titles and the varying levels surrounding the sport. Like any canine club, they list news, updates, club details, and events calendars. They also list Barn Hunt national results and a contact page. It’s the one-stop shop for all things Barn Hunt. Although the BHA is independent, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) recognize the titles.
What Are The Barn Hunt Levels?
Barn Hunt is a sport where your dog can achieve various titles according to their success. As you progress in Barn Hunt, the levels become increasingly challenging with more complex tunnels and decoy tubes. Novice, open, senior, and master levels are split into A and B divisions that allow participants to hone their skills while working towards a new accreditation. Here are the Barn Hunt levels and what each one entails.
1. Instinct Barn Hunt (RATI)
Instinct is a one-minute round with a straight tunnel that is optional for your dog. In the ring, there is a wooden cradle in the open, which contains three tubes. One tube is empty, one contains rat litter, and the other contains the live rat. Your dog needs to sniff out the wooden crate, and you and your dog must identify the tube with the live rat.
2. Novice Barn Hunt (RATN)
Novice is a two-minute round. In this round, the three tubes are hidden among the straw bales. Like before, one is empty, one has rat litter, and one contains a live rat. Your dog and you need to identify the live rat. During their search, they must also go through the short and straight tunnel and climb on top of a straw bale with all four feet on the bale.
3. Open Barn Hunt (RATO)
Open is a two-and-a-half-minute round, only for dogs who have achieved the novice title. In this course, there are five hidden tubes. One is empty, two contain rat litter, and two houses a live rat. There is an eight to ten-foot-long tunnel with a 90-degree turn. In this round, your dog must pass through the tunnel, climb onto a bale with four paws down, and identify both live rats.
4. Senior Barn Hunt (RATS)
The senior round lasts three-and-a-half minutes and is only open for dogs who have successfully achieved their open title. In this round, there are eight tubes hidden throughout the course. One is empty, three contain litter, and four contain a live rat. There is an even longer tunnel measuring 12 to 20 feet, with up to three 90-degree turns. Your dog must identify all four rats, pass through the tunnel, and climb a bale.
5. Master Barn Hunt (RATM)
Master is a four-and-a-half-minute round that only senior title holders can enter. This round is where things become more challenging for you and your pup. There are eight tubes, which could contain anywhere between one and five live rats. You are not told the total of live rats and must trust your dog to tell you when they’ve found them all. There is an even longer tunnel that must be dark. Plus, the straw bales are arranged in a trickier layout. Your dog must pass through the tunnel, climb the bales, and sniff out the correct number of rats. You must obtain five qualifying runs to achieve this title.
6. Barn Hunt Champion (RATCh)
The rules are the same for the master barn hunt level, except you must have ten qualifying runs to achieve this title.
7. Barn Hunt Elite Master Champion (RATChX)
The rules are the same for the barn hunt champion level, except you must have another ten qualifying runs to achieve this title.
8. Crazy 8’s (CZ8)
Unlike before, this level is open to all. It is a two-minute round with a senior-level tunnel, eight live rat tubes, and four litter tubes. The goal is to find as many live rats as possible. Each correctly identified rat tube is worth ten points, and a tunnel pass and bale climb are worth ten points each. A negative rat call or failure to pass through a tunnel or climb a bale deducts 20 points. To achieve the Crazy 8’s bronze title, you must accumulate 500 points. There are many levels up from there, including silver (CZ8S), gold (CZ8G), and platinum (CZ8P), which requires the previous title and another 500 points.
Barn Hunt Rulebook
The Barn Hunt competitor rulebook is lengthy, but it’s essential to read it if you’re considering participating in these exciting events. Here is a summary of the main points:
- Most dogs aged six months or older can compete
- They must be able to fit through an 18-inch wide and 20 to 22-inch tall tunnel made of straw or hay bales
- There are three height divisions: small (measuring 15 inches and under,) medium (15.1 to 22 inches,) and large (over 22 inches)
- All participants must display good sportsmanship towards their fellow competitors, judges, staff, and dogs
- Actions that would cause a family with young children to believe the sport is inappropriate result in disciplinary action
- The only dogs ineligible to compete are wolves, wolf-hybrids, or any wolf mix, dogs with open wounds, stitches, or bandages, and lame or ill dogs
- Blind dogs or those with wheeled carts can only participate in line drive class, which is a more accessible course
How Do I Prepare For A Barn Hunt With My Dog?
The best way to prepare for a Barn Hunt with your dog is to practice scent work. We have a guide on the best interactive dog toys where you can find some great toys to practice scent play with, such as puzzle toys and snuffle mats. There are plenty of other ways to introduce scent play into your daily routine and outdoor walks.
DIY Muffin-Tin Scent Puzzle
This is a fun, introductory scent game. It only requires a few items you might already have in your home. You only need:
- one muffin tin
- 12 tennis balls
- Your dog’s favorite treats (smelly or high-reward training treats are the best way to get them interested in the game)
Directions
- Put treats into a few muffin tin holes
- Place a tennis ball in each of the holes, being sure to cover the few treats
- Give the “puzzle” to your dog and let them explore it
- You might have to reveal a treat or two by moving the balls to encourage them to explore it
- Once they’ve solved the puzzle, change the location of the treats so your dog has to use their nose to find them
Barn Hunt Events
Check out the BHA’s event calendar to find a Barn Hunt event near you. There are many events across the country, especially on the weekend. This calendar only sometimes lists fun events or clinics as they aren’t official, but BHA includes them on their calendar when possible. And if you’re keen on Barn Hunt, you could start your own Barn Hunt club.
How Much Does Barn Hunt Cost?
It costs $32 to register your dog with the BHA. The fee covers each dog for a lifetime, and you will receive a registration number for the licensed trials. You don’t need a registration number for fun tests, fun days, or unofficial events. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Each club has varying registration fees for each event, with $25 to $35 being the normal range. Please remember that pricing is subject to change, so it’s important to check their registration rules as you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know many of our readers still have questions about dog barn hunting. If you don’t see your question below, let us know in the comments, and we’ll find the answer.
Can Any Dog Barn Hunt?
Almost all dogs can participate in Barn Hunt events if they are over six months old and fit through an 18-inch-wide tunnel. The BHA states that they quickly discovered that many breeds, including mixed breeds, enjoy and excel at the search.
Where Can I Find Barn Hunting Events Near Me?
The best place to find Barn Hunt events near you is on the BHA’s event calendar.
Does My Dog Need Prey Drive For Barn Hunting?
No, your dog doesn’t need a high prey drive to excel in Barn Hunt. There is a difference between prey drive and hunt drive. Prey drive is when a dog chases prey, acting on a visual cue. There is nothing to chase in a Barn Hunt. However, Hunt Drive focuses on tracking a scent, precisely what Barn Hunt is about.
Is Barn Hunting Safe?
Yes, Barn Hunt is safe for everyone involved. The tubes contain the rats, and you never see or touch them. They’re safely contained to keep your dog and the rat safe. The rats’ well-being is important to everyone at the event, and several people are tasked with caring for the rats, called Rat Wranglers. The BHA has partnered with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to provide a safe environment for all participants.
Other Exciting Dog Classes To Try
If you’re looking for other ways to have fun with Fido, you can try plenty of other activities with them. We have guides on summer activities and other dog sports. Why not check out our review of SniffSpot, the Air B’n’B of dog parks? If you want to meet new canine playmates, you can also try puppy yoga, another popular sport taking over the country.
Have you tried a barn hunt with your dog? Is your pup a beginner or an expert? You may be thinking about trying it, but you need some encouragement from your fellow readers. We’d love to hear about your experiences in our comments section below.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Emma is the mom of two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips. She is keen on taking her dogs to new places and trying new activities and plans to try her Doxie, Chips, with Barn Hunt very soon. Emma is passionate about writing about dogs and sharing her professional knowledge and experience. She works with a dedicated team at Canine Journal to produce the most up-to-date and relevant dog information for their readers.
