Thrilling Wiener Dog Races In Utah, California, Texas And More
Last year, I wrote a story about the world's fastest wiener dog competition in California (see story below).
As it turns out, there are a bunch of fast wiener dog competitions in the United States.
The one on California has the dachshunds (AKA wiener dogs, AKA doxies) run 50 yards.
But in Buda (pronounced b-you-duh), Tex., the pups race on a much shorter track, although the Texans allow for "mixed breeds" and feature tons of wiener dog swag ("Shipped to all 50 states and to Dresden, Germany").
By the way, Buda also calls itself "The wiener dog capital of Texas."
It's a 30-yard dash for the hot dogs in Louisiana, while Frankenmuth, Mich., features the "Dog Bowl" with wieners sprinting around a shortened grass terrace with the winners earning $1,000 cash and a night's stay at the local B & B.
Head over to the Meadowlands in New Jersey later this month for the Wiener Dog Derby, with the dog races being run in between harness horse races at the famous racetrack. You could earn $1,500 and some betting vouchers for the horse races.
The Florida Wiener Dog Derby is a short 50-foot race, but also features a costume contest (for your dog) and is part of the National Dachshund Racing Circuit (it's real and it's spectacular) with stops in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Ohio.
But perhaps most intriguing of all is there are wiener races right here in the Beehive State.
There are wiener dog races in Mill Creek (participants are encouraged to "feel the wieness" and "Bring your wiener and unleash its energy") and even one here in Southern Utah.
The Oktoberfest Wiener Dog races, held at Iron Springs Resort in Cedar City, cautions that "Canines must look like a Dachshund," and that "Participants must cross the finish line with all four paws before they are counted as finished."
World's Fastest Wiener Dog Crowned Yesterday In California
We might be living in this world, but it's owned by Beenie Von Weenie.
In a massive event held in Southern California's Los Alamitos Race Course (where normally thoroughbred horses scamper around the track), Beenie proved to be the fastest wiener dog (AKA Dachshund) of them all, emerging as the winner of the 24th annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals.
The event, held every July, attracted about 100 Dachshunds (and their owners) to the race track. It has been held in Texas, Arizona, California and other Western states.
Beenie survived the heats (no pun in tended) and made it to the finals. The races were 50 yards, with one doggy parent at one end of the track and the other (permitted to use a treat or toy to entice the dog) at the finish line.
"I have the winner, Beenie Von Weenie!" owner Nicolee Leonard exclaimed to ABC7. "I've been coming every year. And he nailed it. He won a doghouse and $1,000. And the title, 'The Fastest Wienie of the West!'"
While greyhounds are known for their speed and would leave Beenie and his contemporaries in the dust, Wiener Nationals rules state:
Okay, so we admire Greyhounds as much as the next guy, but fair is fair. So only genuine, low-to-the-ground Dachshunds (Real Wiener Dogs) will be allowed to race. And we reserve the right to determine which dogs are wieners and which dogs are not.
A couple of the other crucial rules:
- You can register your dog(s) to race in only one Wiener Nationals race per year.
- Each dog owner may win only one Wiener Nationals race per calendar year.
- You must be the registered owner of your dog to race. Proof of ownership may be required.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times (except during race).
- Owners must clean up after their dogs! Please bring along your own “clean-up” gear.
- Two people must be available during the heat; one at the race gate, and one at the finish line.
- You may use a toy or treat to entice the dog, but you must stay at each end until your dog comes to you! The toy or treat may not be thrown or tossed. No loud devices, laser pointers or anything that may be distracting to other dogs/owners.
- You may NOT run along side the dog.
- Your dog may step out of bounds but must re-enter and completely cross the finish line, within the boundaries, without being grabbed. If the dog is touched by the handler before completely crossing the finish line, the dog will be disqualified.
- You MUST have FUN!
If you have a "real wiener dog" and want to compete in future events, you're encouraged to email wienernationals@wienerschnitzel.com.
Money raised from the event went to the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.