Barn Hunt Basics

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172 – The Annual, 2022-23

By William Given

The canine sport of Barn Hunt is still relatively new to the conformation dog show community, but has grown substantially in popularity the last decade. Barn Hunt is a timed event designed to test a dog’s ability to locate the quarry (a rat) and to signal the find to his handler. Just as with most AKC performance events there are multiple skill levels: Novice, Open, Senior and Master, with titles awarded in each. Each test level is made increasingly more difficult with the addition of tubes containing used bedding material and more rats. There is also a basic level, the Instinct test, that must first be passed.

Although some clubs hold Barn Hunts outdoors, the vast majority of these events are held indoors. The tests are conducted in an enclosed area that is made to look and feel as though one is in a barn. Bales of hay serve as the foundation of the testing framework and more are stacked to create tunnels for the dogs to move through and form obstacles that the dogs must climb over or across. Hay is then strewn about over the floor to complete the setting.

Barn Hunt was created to give dogs the opportunity to use their magnificent scenting abilities in a simulated hunt for the rat hidden somewhere in the hay. Historically, the rat catcher was a small Terrier. Quick and agile, he was able to squeeze into tight spaces in pursuit of his prey, but Barn Hunt is open to all dogs who can fit through the 18-inch opening of the tunnel.

Most dogs have an innate desire to hunt, regardless of what they were originally bred to do. Even companion breeds from the Toy Group often possess a healthy prey drive, and some breeds are good ratters. Miniature Pinschers were originally bred to hunt rats and small prey.

It is teamwork that wins the game in Barn Hunt. There are no do-overs; you need to be able to read your dog’s signal and call it the first time.

An Inclusive Sport

Click here to read the complete article
172 – The Annual, 2022-23

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Posted by AnthonyA on Jan 1 2023. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.