Ratgames and Barn Hunt are two thrilling dog sports that tap into a dog’s natural hunting instincts and sense of smell. These sports provide a safe and structured way for dogs to engage their innate abilities while fostering teamwork between dog and handler.
What Are Ratgames and Barn Hunt?
Ratgames is a sport designed to highlight a dog’s ability to locate hidden rat scents in controlled environments. The dog relies entirely on its instincts to succeed, with minimal input from the handler. In Sweden, dead rats are used due to legal regulations, placing full emphasis on the dog’s scent detection skills.
Barn Hunt is a similar sport where dogs navigate an area with straw bales to find hidden rat scents. Like Ratgames, Barn Hunt in Sweden also uses dead rats, ensuring a focus on scent detection in a safe and ethical environment.
Rebel Offsprings’ Involvement
At Rebel Offsprings, we actively train and compete in both Ratgames and Barn Hunt, recognizing the incredible hunting skills of our Staffordshire Bull Terriers. These sports not only provide physical and mental stimulation but also honor the breed’s historical role in vermin control.
Our approach emphasizes developing the dogs’ natural instincts while maintaining control and discipline. This method ensures they remain focused and efficient, helping us evaluate their drive and suitability for these activities.
Why Ratgames and Barn Hunt?
Both sports offer unique opportunities for dogs to engage their prey drive and excel in scent detection. They promote mental and physical health, making them ideal for high-energy breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
Sweden’s Role in Growing the Sports
As part of Sweden Dog Sporting Club, we are proud to have introduced Ratgames as the first club in Europe to offer this unique sport. Additionally, we aim to expand Barn Hunt’s presence in Sweden, where it is still new, unlike Norway, where the sport is already well-established. Through competitions and training, we connect dog owners with their dogs’ natural instincts in a structured and enjoyable way.
Achievements
Our very own Rebel Offsprings Pepper made history as Sweden’s Ratgames Dog of the Year 2024 and won their group in the 2024 Ratgames Christmas Special Competition. These achievements highlight the dedication of our training methods and the exceptional quality of our breeding program.
Rebel Offsprings 