Page 20 - December 2022 Issue.indd

Talbot Kennel Club Barn Hunt prey drive and a working nose and a handler who is adept at
reading their dog.
On a beautiful autumn weekend (Oct. 28–30), about 75 dogs

and their handlers gathered at Spring Cove Farm for three TKC offers basic “house dog” and puppy classes as well as
days of Barn Hunt, one of the fastest growing dog sports. Th e more specialized training: Agility, Barn Hunt, Conformation,
event, sponsored by Talbot Kennel Club (TKC), included Competition Obedience, Rally and Scentwork. For more
Parson Russell Terrier Eowyn, a Master Level competitor, who information, go to: https://www.talbotkennelclub.org.
burrowed through piles of hay bales to find her prey. She found

all the rats there were to fi nd.
While there are several formats and ability levels, the basic
aim of Barn Hunt is for the dog to fi nd rats housed in heavy
plastic tubing so even the most enthusiastic dog cannot reach
them which have been hidden among large piles of hay bales.

To make it even more difficult for the dog, there are also tubes
containing rat bedding but no rat, as well as empty tubes,
hidden amongst the hay bales. Neither the handler nor the dog
knows where and, in some instances, how many rats are hidden

in the trial area. They act as a team as the handler encourages
the dog to search in possible locations and then reads the dog’s
“tell” once it has found a rat. Eowyn’s tell is a low grumble and
pawing at the hay bale.
Dogs of all breeds and sizes participate in Barn Hunt at fi ve

levels ranging from “Instinct” (easiest) to “Master” (most Eowyn announces her find to handler Colin Ratcliff e. Photo
challenging). All that is required to compete is a dog with good courtesy of Peter Paige.

sponsor a shelter animal

for the holidaysys
y
Christmas trees are at
the following businesses:

Ridgely Pharmacy, Ridgely
Denton Diner, Denton Plaza Ridgely Pharmacy Ridgely
Cantner’s Drug Store, Federalsburg Tenchi Restaurant, Greensboro
Provident Bank, Denton Tri-Me Warehouse , Ridgely

These trees are decorated with tags identifying animals in
Caroline County Humane Society’s care while they await their forever
homes. Tags include their name and picture along with suggested
items to consider for the animal you wish to sponsor.
Place your unwrapped donated items in the box provided
no later than December 27.

we appreciate your support.
happy holidays

Questions? Call Sally 410-829-3559 or Joanne 410-310-4305.

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