Are you looking for a new, fun activity you can do with your dog? Then Barn Hunt is for you! Barn Hunt mimics hunting for rats in a barn.
Barn Hunt is a brand new sport to the UK for dogs and handlers, it’s teamwork. Your dog uses natural instincts to find hidden tubes and you have to learn to read the dog’s signals to know when the tube(s) has been found and tell the judge.
Barn Hunt takes place in a fully fenced ring full of straw bales, which they can climb on, go through tunnels and obstacles whilst using their noses to sniff out the tubes. In the UK the tubes contain a dead rat. Our rats are sourced through reputable reptile frozen food suppliers.
The rats are hidden in specially made tubes with multiple small holes that allow the scent out so your dog can find it; the dog never comes into contact with the rat as the tubes are securely sealed only allowing the scent to escape; the dog cannot see into the tubes and neither can you. Our rats do not smell, they are removed from the freezer prior to the event and used for that day only. It is important to know that rats are not killed for the purpose of Barn Hunt, they are from a reputable reptile food supplier.
Barn Hunt is a privately registered sport, created by Robin Nutall in the US. It is the fastest growing canine sport, expanding from the US to Canada, then Norway and now the UK. We are the sole UK license holder.
Barn Hunt is an inclusive sport for ALL dogs, we see all breeds and cross breeds, it is open to older dogs and dogs with disabilities (i.e 3 legged dog, deaf dog). All dogs do nose work and Barn Hunt allows your dog to use those natural instincts. It is fun but also tests speed, agility, hunting instincts and the handlers ability to read cues and signals so that you work as a team in the ring. The handler can observe their dog without running around, it’s open to all handlers as well!
The great thing about Barn Hunt is that there are many levels working towards titles: RATI (Instinct), RATN (Novice), RATO (Open), RATS (Senior), RATM (Master), RATCH (Champion), REMX (Barn Hunt Elite).
To complete in Barn Hunt trials for titles a dog must be registered with Barn Hunt Association, please see our Register page for full details on how to register.
To attend workshops, open days and fun tests a dog does not require a registration number, however runs do not count towards titles when entering workshops, open days and fun tests.
We travel and have regular events in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire and we are planning many more.
Jacqueline Tulip
