BARN HUNT
The purpose of Barn Hunt is to demonstrate a dog’s vermin hunting ability in finding and marking rats in a “barn-like” setting, using straw/hay bales to introduce climbing and tunneling obstacles in the dog’s path. Barn Hunt is based on the skills historically used by itinerant “ratcatchers” in traveling the countryside, ridding farms of vermin, thus helping conserve and preserve food grains and cutting down on disease. On February 19, 2013, an announcement was made from the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Barn Hunt Association LLC (BHA). In it, the AKC announced that they will recognize and record Barn Hunt titles on AKC pedigrees.