By Brett Fisher
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Photos by Brett Fisher. An enthusiastic dog rears on its hind legs prior to competition Saturday at Fuji Park. -
Liam, a wire-haired terrier, emerges from the tunnel on a barn hunt course Saturday at Fuji Park. -
Hasbro, white male terrier, retrieves a ball on the toy course at Fuji Park. -
A white-haired terrier sniffs for rats on a barn hunt course at Fuji Park. -
A wire-haired terrier licks her jowls Saturday as she sniffs out treats. -
Liam squeezes in between the course fencing and a straw hay bale Saturday at Fuji Park. -
Terriers and their owners await their turns on a barn hunt course at Fuji Park. -
Hasbro pulls on his leash as he heads for a toy. -
Liam searches for rats on a barn hunt course at Fuji Park. -
Liam sniffs out rats on a barn hunt course at Fuji Park. -
Liam locates a rat capsule hidden in a hay bale. -
Hasbro’s owner scratches his chin as he awaits the toy course at Fuji Park. -
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An assortment of hunting breeds have gathered at Fuji Park in South Carson City to participate in the Battle Born Ratacular Barn Hunt, presented by Revolution Dog Sports.
Barn hunt is a timed competition in which several live rats are placed in aerated containers and hidden on a maze course made of straw hay bales, according to the Barn Hunt Association web site.
The canine athlete is required to sniff out and find as many of the rats as it can, but only within a certain amount of time.
Dogs are judged on their ability to stay on course, respond to commands, and find the hidden rats within the allotted time.
Battle Born Ratacular Barn Hunt began Friday morning and runs daily through Labor Day from 8 a.m. at 5 p.m. in Fuji Park.
