Does the rat come to any harm?
No. It sits in a solid, ventilated tube the dog can't open. The rules set strict conditions for how the rats are cared for and rotated.
Scent sports
Barn Hunt
A maze of straw bales, a few ventilated tubes and one live rat that stays safe the whole time. The dog has to pick out the tube with the rat in it and leave the empty ones and the ones with used bedding alone.
About the discipline
What Barn Hunt is
Barn hunt comes from the United States and grew out of the old job terriers did in barns, catching rodents. In the sport, the rat is fully protected.
The rat sits in a solid, well-ventilated tube the dog has no way of opening. Empty tubes and tubes with used bedding go out too. That way you find out whether the dog really picks out the rat's scent or just stops at any tube that smells of something.
On top of the search, the dog goes through a straw tunnel and climbs onto a bale. Terriers started it, but any breed that fits through the tunnel can enter.
How it works in practice
What a course contains
- a maze built from straw bales
- tubes with a rat, with bedding, and empty
- the dog searches and indicates the tube with the rat
- a straw tunnel the dog has to go through
- a climb onto a bale, all four paws up
- a time limit for the whole course
The rats are well looked after and take turns. The rules protect them, and the dog can't get into direct contact with them.
Which dogs it suits
- terriers and dachshunds, by tradition
- any breed that fits through the straw tunnel
- dogs with strong prey drive that need a legal place to let it out
What you need
- access to a field set up with bales
- nothing special for the handler
- a plain collar, taken off before the run
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Barn Hunt
Which breeds can take part?
Any, as long as the dog fits through the straw tunnel. Terriers have always dominated, but you'll often see big breeds too, in the adapted classes.
Is it a good activity for a dog with a strong prey drive?
Yes. Few activities give that instinct a legal, controlled outlet without putting an animal at risk, and barn hunt is one of them.
The rule figures on this page come from Barn Hunt Association - Official Competitor Rulebook. Rules change and federations differ - always check the rulebook of the competition you are entering.
From the same category
Related sports
Tracking
Following a track left on the ground, step by step.
Nose Work / Scent Work
Finding a hidden target odour in all sorts of places.
Detection Dog Sport
Finding and indicating odours set in advance, under rules close to real detection work.
Article Search
The dog hunts out small articles that carry human scent.
We do not run Barn Hunt
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.