Not everyone will understand the importance of “rat catchers,” but if you live in the countryside, you sure do! “Rat catchers” rid farms of destructive vermin – and the hunting and teamwork skills required to do so are the foundation of the sport of Barn Hunt. Dogs and their handlers work as a team to locate and mark rats (which are always safely held in aerated tubes) hidden in a maze of straw or hay bales.
Some breeds are specifically created to fill this role as well as some mixed breeds being up to the task, but as long as your dog can fit through an 18″ wide by bale-height tall tunnel, he’s eligible!
Barn Hunt tests the nose, speed, agility, and surefootedness of dogs that have a history of above-ground vermin hunting.
Barn Hunt is a relatively new dog sport where straw bales are set up in a course. Hidden in the straw bales are canisters similar to what you’d use at a drive-through bank. One or more of the canisters contain a live rat! It’s your dog’s job to sniff out that rat and tell you where it is.
Although barn hunt is all about your dog finding the hidden rats, you never see or touch the rats themselves. They’re safely tucked away in the tubes for the whole event. Their safety and wellbeing are important to everyone at the event. Basically, no rats are harmed during the event.
Visit our Training page for our Next Barn Hunt Classes. Sign up early classes fill quickly, truly a fun experience.
