At what age can a dog enter barn hunt trials?
14 months
1 year
6 months
any age
There is no limit on the size of dog that can enter in Barn Hunt events.
Deaf dogs are eligible to compete.
A dog with limited vision cannot compete in Barn Hunt events.
The minimum age for handlers to compete in Barn Hunt is:
12 years
18 years
7 years
There is no minimum age.
The following accommodations can be made for a disabled handler:
Assistance getting to the blind and from the blind to the ring
Removing the collar and leash from the dog inside the ring.
Retrieving rat tubes from the indicated locations.
Adjusting the course to allow for mobility equipment.
An assistant to hold the dog in the blind.
Smoking and/or vaping is:
Not allowed at any barn hunt trial.
Is allowed, but cannot smoke within 20' of a bale.
Is allowed, but cannot smoke within 50' of a bale.
Is allowed, but not inside the blind.
Is allowed, but not within 20' of a blind.
Blind dogs are eligible to compete in Barn Hunt events.
Dogs in carts are eligible to compete in Barn Hunt events.
The judge may allow a lame dog to compete if the exhibitor provides evidence a signed release from a vet.
A dog cannot be deemed aggressive if no injury (to dog or human) has occurred.
A dog is deemed aggressive and must be disqualified if:
There is an attack with contact against another dog or person with intent to harm.
A dog postures and voices a low growl while in the blind.
A dog nipping the rat wrangler as the tube is removed.
No attack occurred, but a bite would likely have happened if the involved parties hadn't acted quickly.
The following are grounds for dismissal from a Barn Hunt trial for misconduct/lack of sportsmanship:
Loudly arguing with another competitor
Being intoxicated.
Fighting.
Cursing while in the ring.
Showing disrespect to the scribe or rat wrangler.
Cheating.
Incorrectly accusing another of cheating.
When someone is accused of cheating, they must immediately leave the grounds.
Double handling is:
Overhearing the judge and/or rat wrangler discussing the position of rat tubes.
A spectator saying "Climb" when the judge fails to make the call.
Pointing a camera at a rat location so as to capture the dog's indication.
Any form of aiding the competitor inside the ring.
Requires a trial committee hearing possibly leading to dismissal of the competitor aided by the double handling.
In an exhibitor is the victim of inadvertent double handling, the judge may:
Contact the trial chair and request a committee hearing be held.
NQ the competitor.
Rerun the competitor in a later blind.
In case of inadvertent double handling, the judge may:
Re-run the team in a later blind
NQ the competitor in the ring.
NQ the person who initiated the cue for all runs for the day.
NQ the person who initiated the cue for their next run.
Give a verbal warning to the person who initiated the cue, with no consequences to either competitor.
If a dog is exceptionally disruptive in the blind, a trial official and/or judge may dismiss the dog from the blind.
If you receive a non-qualifying score for failing to tunnel within the time allowed, you can protest the judge's decision by providing video evidence that your dog performed the tunnel.
Prong collars may be used on the trial grounds.
Flexi leads are not allowed anywhere on the trial grounds.
Dogs cannot be trained on the trial grounds before or during any licensed trial. This includes:
Practicing on hay bales.
Taking the dog to see the rats in cages.
Training recalls on a flexi lead.
Sending your dog through an agility tunnel.
Walking the dog around the outside of the competition rings to acclimate to the environment.
