About Us
What is Barn Hunt?
Barn Hunt is based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. Some breeds were specifically created to fill this role, and for many of those breeds, Barn Hunt provides a true opportunity for responsible breeders to test proper working traits in their dogs. Barn Hunt is also open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18" wide by bale-height tall tunnel. Barn Hunt has titles, levels of increasing difficulty, and championships.
Learn more at the Barn Hunt Association website.
Valley Dog Sports
Founded in 2012, Valley Dog Sports was the first Barn Hunt club in the Pacific Northwest. Valley Dog Sports (VDS) provides Barn Hunt trials and training to the Portland Metro and Willamette Valley area. Our founder, Karla Sanders, taught barn hunt for many years and was beloved in the Barn Hunt community for her supportive attitude and “can do” attitude. Karla especially loved teaching Barn Hunt 101 classes, because they allowed her to welcome and encourage new people to the sport. Karla passed away in 2021, but she has left behind a legacy of individuals she welcomed to the world of Barn Hunt.
Karla sold Valley Dog Sports to Nancy Griffith in 2021. Nancy continues to build on Karla’s considerable legacy and is grateful for all the lessons she taught her over the years.
FAQs
I’ve never done dog sports before is Barn Hunt a good place to start?
Barn Hunt is based on the traditional roles of many breeds in ridding farms, barns, crop storage areas, and homes of destructive vermin. Some breeds were specifically created to fill this role, and for many of those breeds, Barn Hunt provides their first true opportunity for responsible breeders to test proper working traits in their dogs. Barn Hunt is also open to any dog of any breed or mix who wishes to play the game and can fit through an 18" wide by bale-height tall tunnel. Barn Hunt has titles, levels of increasing difficulty, and championships.
Are the rats safe?
Barn Hunt holds rat care at the highest level of consideration. The rats used in Barn Hunt are beloved family pets. They jump eagerly into their safe, comfortable aerated tubes and truly enjoy interacting with the dogs.
How do I get started in Barn Hunt?
We recommend everyone start with a Barn Hunt 101 class. You can click on our scheduling link and under classes you’ll find BH 101.
What is a Barn Hunt trial?
Barn Hunt trials test a dog's teamwork, hunting, and scent-working skills. Dogs and their handlers work together to find and call rats hidden in a maze of straw or hay bales. The rats are placed in safe, aerated tubes and the dogs must locate them within a time limit. The number of rats and time limit varies by the level of competition. There are several different types of games you can sign-up for at a Barn Hunt trial.