Barn Hunt- Hide and seek for dogs!
Are you looking for a new, fun activity you can do with your dog?
Barn hunt not only mimics hunting for rats in a barn, it taps into their innate instincts to hunt or seek out a scent.
Barn Hunt is a new sport in the UK that is suitable for all dogs, dogs will navigate a course made up of straw bales to locate tubes containing (non-living) rats. Watch as your dog climbs over bales, and traverses through tunnels, all whilst providing mental and physical stimulation and building their confidence.
Take your relationship to the next level, as handlers you will learn to interpret your dog's signals and behaviors as they discover the tube with the concealed rat, making it an excellent activity for strengthening the bond between you and your dog. As the handler you get to observe your dog in action, without having to run around, plus it's open to all handlers, so no need to have any previous experience.
Barn Hunt is an inclusive sport for ALL dogs, from cross breeds, to older dogs and dogs with disabilities. Reactive dogs are also welcome and we will always make accommodations for those that need them.
The rats are secured in specially made tubes with multiple small holes that allows the scent to escape, so your dog can find it; the dog NEVER comes into contact with the rat, as the tubes are securely sealed, and the dog cannot see into the tubes, and neither can you.
THE RATS DO NOT SMELL, they are removed from the freezer prior to the event and used for that day only. PLEASE NOTE: The rats are NOT KILLED for the purpose of Barn Hunt, they are sourced from reputable reptile food suppliers.
Within Barn Hunt there are many levels you can work towards to gain titles:
RATI ( INSTINCT)
RATN (NOVICE)
RATO (OPEN)
RATS (SENIOR)
RATM (MASTER)
RATCH (CHAMPION)
REMX (BARN HUNT ELITE)
To compete in Barn Hunt trials for titles, a dog must be registered with Barn Hunt Association.
Click Here to Register
Sussex barn hunt
Coming to Sussex 2025
BARN HUNT IS COMING TO SUSSEX!
1. CAN REACTIVE DOGS PARTICIPATE?
Yes absolutely, reactive dogs are always welcome at Barn Hunt events, we will always make accommodations, whether that's giving your dog the space it needs, or asking handlers to wait outside while your dog has their turn. Having reactive dogs ourselves, we know it can be difficult, so we are here to make the experience as positive and stress free as possible.
2. DO WE HAVE TO BE REGISTERED?
You do not have to be registered, you can still take part in workshops, fun tests and open days. However if you are not registered, any courses you take part in do not go towards earning any titles.
3. CAN I BRING MULITPLE DOGS?
Yes! if you have more than one dog you can bring them, they will need to be registered individually, and run individually on the courses. Multiple dogs can not run at the same time.
4. CAN DOGS GET TO THE RATS?
No, dogs can not get to the rats, all the tubes are securely sealed so dogs can not get to them, they can not see them either, only the scent is able to escape through the small holes in the tubes.
5. IS IT SUITABLE FOR ALL BREEDS?
Yes absolutely! All dogs are welcome to participate in Barn Hunt, whether your dog has to wear a muzzle, or has a disability, it is for all dogs to take part in and have fun!
6. IS SUITABLE FOR ALL LEVELS OF HANDLER?
Most definitely, whether it's your first time taking part in a sport, or you are a professional handler, Barn Hunt is for everyone to enjoy.
QUESTIONS
how to book
Booking will be available in 2025, please keep a look out for updates by following us on social media.
To attend workshops, open days and fun tests a dog doesn't require a registration number, however it means that the runs do not count towards titles.
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.
Jacqueline Tulip of Barn Hunt UK is the sole UK license holder.
