Barn Hunt

Barn Hunt training is structured in progressive levels: Intro, Novice, Junior, Senior, Master, and Champion. Dogs navigate tunnels to locate rats in hay bales, with increasing difficulty in scent trails and tunnel complexity. Training is conducted in group settings at club facilities, with optional titles awarded by recognized kennel clubs. Special formats like Line Drive accommodate dogs with mobility challenges.

Pricing Summary

Pricing is set individually by local Barn Hunt clubs and instructors. Fees typically cover class sessions, trial entry, and certification. No standardized pricing is published by the association.

Barn Hunt is a dog sport organization that offers training and competition opportunities based on the traditional vermin-hunting instincts of dogs. It is open to all breeds and mixes, including older, disabled, or small dogs, as long as they can fit through an 18″ tunnel. The sport includes structured levels with titles recognized by the AKC, UKC, and CKC. Training is delivered through affiliated clubs and instructors who guide dogs and owners through rat-hunting courses using safe, live rats housed in protected tubes. The program emphasizes positive, instinct-driven work and welcomes beginners and experienced handlers alike. Barn Hunt also promotes humane rodent control and provides educational resources like rulebooks, spectator guides, and registration tools.

Instructors associated with Barn Hunt clubs offer group training sessions in facility-based settings, often at dedicated barns or training grounds. Many trainers are experienced in working with dogs of all ages and abilities, including tripod, deaf, blind, or wheeled-dog participants in specialized formats like Line Drive. The sport is designed to be fun and accessible, helping owners connect with their dog’s natural drives while building confidence and focus.

Barn Hunt does not operate as a direct training business but provides the framework, rules, and certification system under which local clubs and trainers operate. Trainers affiliated with Barn Hunt may offer additional services like canine massage therapy or other training classes, as noted in reviews.

Accomplishments

Barn Hunt was founded in 2014 by Robin Nuttall, a seasoned dog enthusiast, after her Min Pin, Zipper, inspired the creation of a breed-inclusive vermin-hunting sport. The organization has grown to become the fastest-growing dog sport in the U.S. and is recognized by the AKC, UKC, and CKC. It partners with the U.S. Center for SafeSport to ensure participant safety.

How to Get Started!

Read the official Barn Hunt rules, then locate a local club via the club listing on the website. Attend a trial or class to begin training. Clubs provide guidance on registration and preparation.