Long Dog Dachshund Races a Success

I have always adored Dachshunds for their unique body shape and effervescent personalities.  So, I'm kind of in a toss up over this recent wiener dog attraction.  This past Sunday the first Long Dog Derby was held with dozens of long dogs running the racetracks at the Oktoberfest celebrations in Denver, Colorado.

This race was just one of several fun attractions that involved rambunctious wiener dogs.  Over 60 dogs signed up to participate in races in six different categories including one aptly named, 'Hot Dog Carts' for those Dachshunds doggie wheelchairs and 'little links' for the puppies aged 1 year and younger.  Owners and members of the crowd were able to cheer on Dachshunds with many unique names like; Daisy the Destroyer, Lightning Lilly, Black Pearl and Frank the Tank.

These puppies handled the races with varying degrees of success from dashing straight to the finish line to meandering dazedly across the track.  I'm sure a few of them just sat down and cried for their owners.  Not every dog is a racer.

It takes two to handle each pup at the races.  One dog person to hold the dog at the starting line and a second at the finish line to encourage the dog to head straight for them.  Denver Actor Paul Borillo called the race and told the puppy handlers, 'No spanking them, no pushing them, you just lift your hands off."

Another fun event involving these long dogs was the costume contest.  The wiener being a 6 year old miniature long haired dachshund named Oscar Mayer Weiner.  You can easily assume what his winning costume was this year. I wonder where you get a miniature sized bun costume?

Oscar's owner feels no guilt over making his pooch wear the costume stating,’ He has been wearing it for Halloween for the last two or three years; he doesn't object, he is a good sport.'

Other dog owners like Loreli Walker, 29, remarked on the amazing personality of these Dachshunds.  She's stated of her dog, Daisy May, 'The dog had never raced before, but she wasn't thrown off by the crowd and hoopla...They have such personality...They think they are pretty big dogs when they're not.'

 
Source: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_10525432