Barn Hunt is a new and exciting sport in the United States. While only being around for a handful of years, it has absolutely exploded in popularity. Creator, Robin Nuttall, states on the official Barn Hunt Association website, "Today Barn Hunt is the fastest growing dog sport in the U.S. The popularity of the sport has exploded because the dogs and the people have so much fun. We welcome everyone, from seasoned dog sport competitors to people who have never even been to a dog show before. Our titles are recognized by both the AKC and UKC."
Barn Hunt is based on the vermin hunting that is still performed by terrier breeds today. In vermin hunting, dogs are used to chase, capture, and kill vermin that are found on farms, particularly rodents. Owners may choose to receive training in the sport with a local Barn Hunt trainer before entering their first trial while others just jump right into competing!
In the sport of Barn Hunt, dogs of any breed or mix can participate aged 6 months and older. Dogs and their humans work together to find live rats hidden safely in PVC tubes and must complete a tunnel and climb (dog climbs/jumps with all four feet onto a straw bale) under a time limit. Rats are not seen by the humans and are kept safely inside of the PVC tubes. Also on the course may be tubes containing only litter or empty tubes. How many of each type of tube depends on the class.
Owners/handlers do not know where tubes are hidden. Dog's use their keen sense of smell to locate the rats and indicate to their owner/handler where the rat is located. It is the handler's job to tell the judge that their dog has indicated a rat. If correct, the dog can continue to look for additional rats depending on the class the dog is participating in or they can complete the tunnel and climb requirements if they have not already.
When a rat is found and the handler tells the judge a rat is found correctly, one of three things can happen with the rat tube -
1. The handler can restrain the dog two feet away from the tube and a "rat wrangler" assistant inside the ring will remove the tube from the ring.
2. The handler can remove the tube and hand it to the rat wrangler or to someone outside of the ring and the tube is removed.
3. The tube can be left in place. If the dog goes back and disturbs the tube (excessively moves it, rolls it, picks it up, etc.) the judge may disqualify the dog.
The most common automatic disqualifications include but are not limited to -
1. Dog eliminates inside the ring.
2. Handler forgets to remove all items from the dog (collar, leash, etc.).
3. Handler tracks time/looks at watch.
4. Handler takes food, toys, or other reward into the ring.
5. Handler takes phone or other communication device inside of the blind (waiting area) before or into the ring during their turn.
6. Handler scruffs/grabs dog at any time inside the ring.
7. Handler lifts dog up with 3 or 4 of the dog's feet off of the ground/bale at any time after the run has started. 2 of the dog's feet must be touching the ground/bale at all times.
8. Handler touches a bale or otherwise touches the course.
The classes get increasingly difficult as each class changes in length of tunnel/number of turns in the tunnel, how many bales are on the course, how tall the bales may be stacked, the number of rat tubes, the number of litter tubes, the length of time allowed, the size of the course, the number of qualifying scores required to obtain a title, etc.
The classes of competition are as follows -
Instinct (Optional Class):
Time Limit - 1 Minute
Tubes - 1 Rat tube, 1 Litter tube, 1 Empty tube
Tube Location - Tubes are sat out in the open and are secured.
Tunnel - No tunnel required.
Climb - No climb required.
Bales - May be stacked up to 2 high.
1 qualifying score required to earn the RATI title.
Barn Hunt is based on the vermin hunting that is still performed by terrier breeds today. In vermin hunting, dogs are used to chase, capture, and kill vermin that are found on farms, particularly rodents. Owners may choose to receive training in the sport with a local Barn Hunt trainer before entering their first trial while others just jump right into competing!
In the sport of Barn Hunt, dogs of any breed or mix can participate aged 6 months and older. Dogs and their humans work together to find live rats hidden safely in PVC tubes and must complete a tunnel and climb (dog climbs/jumps with all four feet onto a straw bale) under a time limit. Rats are not seen by the humans and are kept safely inside of the PVC tubes. Also on the course may be tubes containing only litter or empty tubes. How many of each type of tube depends on the class.
Owners/handlers do not know where tubes are hidden. Dog's use their keen sense of smell to locate the rats and indicate to their owner/handler where the rat is located. It is the handler's job to tell the judge that their dog has indicated a rat. If correct, the dog can continue to look for additional rats depending on the class the dog is participating in or they can complete the tunnel and climb requirements if they have not already.
When a rat is found and the handler tells the judge a rat is found correctly, one of three things can happen with the rat tube -
1. The handler can restrain the dog two feet away from the tube and a "rat wrangler" assistant inside the ring will remove the tube from the ring.
2. The handler can remove the tube and hand it to the rat wrangler or to someone outside of the ring and the tube is removed.
3. The tube can be left in place. If the dog goes back and disturbs the tube (excessively moves it, rolls it, picks it up, etc.) the judge may disqualify the dog.
The most common automatic disqualifications include but are not limited to -
1. Dog eliminates inside the ring.
2. Handler forgets to remove all items from the dog (collar, leash, etc.).
3. Handler tracks time/looks at watch.
4. Handler takes food, toys, or other reward into the ring.
5. Handler takes phone or other communication device inside of the blind (waiting area) before or into the ring during their turn.
6. Handler scruffs/grabs dog at any time inside the ring.
7. Handler lifts dog up with 3 or 4 of the dog's feet off of the ground/bale at any time after the run has started. 2 of the dog's feet must be touching the ground/bale at all times.
8. Handler touches a bale or otherwise touches the course.
The classes get increasingly difficult as each class changes in length of tunnel/number of turns in the tunnel, how many bales are on the course, how tall the bales may be stacked, the number of rat tubes, the number of litter tubes, the length of time allowed, the size of the course, the number of qualifying scores required to obtain a title, etc.
The classes of competition are as follows -
Instinct (Optional Class):
Time Limit - 1 Minute
Tubes - 1 Rat tube, 1 Litter tube, 1 Empty tube
Tube Location - Tubes are sat out in the open and are secured.
Tunnel - No tunnel required.
Climb - No climb required.
Bales - May be stacked up to 2 high.
1 qualifying score required to earn the RATI title.
Barn Hunt Instinct Tube Layout
Novice:
Time Limit - 2 Minutes
Tubes - 1 Rat tube, 1 Litter tube, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tube containing the rat.
Tube Location - At least one tube of any type must be elevated. All tubes may be elevated.
Tunnel - Short tunnel, no turns required.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least two places but no more than 3 places.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATN title.
Time Limit - 2 Minutes
Tubes - 1 Rat tube, 1 Litter tube, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tube containing the rat.
Tube Location - At least one tube of any type must be elevated. All tubes may be elevated.
Tunnel - Short tunnel, no turns required.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least two places but no more than 3 places.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATN title.
Open:
Time Limit - 2.5 Minutes
Tubes - 2 Rat tubes, 2 Litter tubes, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 1 turn required, "L" shape.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least 3 places. 5 or more bales placed two high together counts as two places.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATO title.
Time Limit - 2.5 Minutes
Tubes - 2 Rat tubes, 2 Litter tubes, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 1 turn required, "L" shape.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least 3 places. 5 or more bales placed two high together counts as two places.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATO title.
Senior:
Time Limit - 3.5 Minutes
Tubes - 4 Rat tubes, 3 Litter tubes, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 2-3 turns required, shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 3 high in at least one place.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATS title.
Time Limit - 3.5 Minutes
Tubes - 4 Rat tubes, 3 Litter tubes, 1 Empty tube. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 2-3 turns required, shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 3 high in at least one place.
3 qualifying scores required to earn the RATS title.
Master:
Time Limit - 4.5 Minutes
Tubes - 1-5 Rat tubes, 3-7 Litter tubes, No Empty tubes. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats. 8 tubes are hidden on the course, the number of rat tubes and litter tubes is chosen at random. Handler must tell the judge when the course is clear of all rats.
1 Rat tube, 7 Litter tubes
2 Rat tubes, 6 Litter tubes
3 Rat tubes, 5 Litter tubes
4 Rat tubes, 4 Litter tubes
5 Rat tubes, 3 Litter tubes
Tunnel - 2-5 turns required, shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 3 high in at least two places.
5 qualifying scores under at least 2 different judges required to earn the RATM title.
Barn Hunt Championship:
After a dog has completed their RATM title, they may continue to compete in the Master class. 10 additional qualifying scores after obtaining a RATM will earn the dog a RATCH title (Barn Hunt Champion).
Time Limit - 4.5 Minutes
Tubes - 1-5 Rat tubes, 3-7 Litter tubes, No Empty tubes. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats. 8 tubes are hidden on the course, the number of rat tubes and litter tubes is chosen at random. Handler must tell the judge when the course is clear of all rats.
1 Rat tube, 7 Litter tubes
2 Rat tubes, 6 Litter tubes
3 Rat tubes, 5 Litter tubes
4 Rat tubes, 4 Litter tubes
5 Rat tubes, 3 Litter tubes
Tunnel - 2-5 turns required, shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required.
Bales - Stacked up to 3 high in at least two places.
5 qualifying scores under at least 2 different judges required to earn the RATM title.
Barn Hunt Championship:
After a dog has completed their RATM title, they may continue to compete in the Master class. 10 additional qualifying scores after obtaining a RATM will earn the dog a RATCH title (Barn Hunt Champion).
Norwegian Buhund - RATCHX Int. CH AKC CH Zodiac's Playing With Fire RATI CZ8P FDC CGC CGCA SPOT-ON
Barn Hunt Championship Excellent:
After a dog has completed their RATCH title, they may continue to compete in the Master class. 10 additional qualifying scores after obtaining a RATCH will earn the dog a RATCHX title (Barn Hunt Champion Excellent). For every additional 10 qualifying scores the dog will earn another title and a number will be added - RATCHX2, RATCHX3, RATCHX4....
After a dog has completed their RATCH title, they may continue to compete in the Master class. 10 additional qualifying scores after obtaining a RATCH will earn the dog a RATCHX title (Barn Hunt Champion Excellent). For every additional 10 qualifying scores the dog will earn another title and a number will be added - RATCHX2, RATCHX3, RATCHX4....
Non-Regular Class - "Crazy 8s"
Crazy 8s is a non-regular class that does not require any previous titles and dogs are scored on a point system, not a pass/fail system. Dogs and handlers race to find as many rats as possible and to complete elements in 2 minutes.
Point System - Elements are scored for points.
+10 points for every rat found - failure to find at least one rat results in a non-qualifying run.
-20 points for an incorrect call (litter tube) - 2 incorrect calls result in a non-qualifying run.
+10 points for tunnel
-20 points for failure to complete tunnel
+10 points for climb
-20 points for failure to complete one climb
+5 Bonus points for finding 8 rats and completing a tunnel and a climb under 1 minute 45 seconds ("Bonus").
+5 Additional Bonus points for finding 8 rats and completing a tunnel and a climb under 1 minute 30 seconds ("Super Bonus").
Earning Titles - Dogs earn between 30-110 points per qualifying run in Crazy 8s. For every 500 points earned, a title is awarded.
CZ8B: Crazy 8s Bronze, 500 points accumulated.
CZ8S: Crazy 8s Silver, CZ8B plus 500 points for a total of 1000 points.
CZ8G: Crazy 8s Gold, CZ8S plus 500 points for a total of 1,500 points.
CZ8P: Crazy 8s Platinum, CZ8G plus 500 points for a total of 2000 points.
After the dog reaches the Platinum level, further titles are earned in 500 point increments. A dog with 2500 for example, is awarded Crazy 8s Platinum Bronze, or CZ8PB, and so on. Double Platinum will be abbreviated as CZ8P2.
Time Limit - 2 Minutes
Tubes - 8 Rat tubes, 4 Litter tubes. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 2-5 turns required or point penalty. Tunnel shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required or point penalty.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least one place.
Crazy 8s is a non-regular class that does not require any previous titles and dogs are scored on a point system, not a pass/fail system. Dogs and handlers race to find as many rats as possible and to complete elements in 2 minutes.
Point System - Elements are scored for points.
+10 points for every rat found - failure to find at least one rat results in a non-qualifying run.
-20 points for an incorrect call (litter tube) - 2 incorrect calls result in a non-qualifying run.
+10 points for tunnel
-20 points for failure to complete tunnel
+10 points for climb
-20 points for failure to complete one climb
+5 Bonus points for finding 8 rats and completing a tunnel and a climb under 1 minute 45 seconds ("Bonus").
+5 Additional Bonus points for finding 8 rats and completing a tunnel and a climb under 1 minute 30 seconds ("Super Bonus").
Earning Titles - Dogs earn between 30-110 points per qualifying run in Crazy 8s. For every 500 points earned, a title is awarded.
CZ8B: Crazy 8s Bronze, 500 points accumulated.
CZ8S: Crazy 8s Silver, CZ8B plus 500 points for a total of 1000 points.
CZ8G: Crazy 8s Gold, CZ8S plus 500 points for a total of 1,500 points.
CZ8P: Crazy 8s Platinum, CZ8G plus 500 points for a total of 2000 points.
After the dog reaches the Platinum level, further titles are earned in 500 point increments. A dog with 2500 for example, is awarded Crazy 8s Platinum Bronze, or CZ8PB, and so on. Double Platinum will be abbreviated as CZ8P2.
Time Limit - 2 Minutes
Tubes - 8 Rat tubes, 4 Litter tubes. Tubes are hidden in straw bales and dogs must indicate on the correct tubes containing the rats.
Tunnel - 2-5 turns required or point penalty. Tunnel shape varies. May have more than two official entrances. Course may have more than one official tunnel.
Climb - Climb required or point penalty.
Bales - Stacked up to 2 high in at least one place.
To check out this exciting sport by looking for trials in your area, please use the search feature on the official Barn Hunt Association website at http://barnhunt.com/eventcal.html to find local trials near you.
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