Mykie, Ollie and Alfie suiting up for the return of the annual Dachie Run in November.
What do Clint Eastwood, Adele, David Bowie, Audrey Hepburn, JFK and Pablo Picasso all have in common?
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They are all Dachshund owners!
The small pooches stand at an intimidating eight inches tall and on average, weigh roughly five kilograms.
Known for their deep chests, small legs and child-like temperament, the sausage dogs rank sixth on Australia’s most popular breeds.
With almost one million long bodied pooches registered nationwide, Dachshund racing is a growing sport.
Dachshund racing first took place in Australia in the 1970s and spread across the globe, making its way to Yarrawonga last year.
The inaugural Yarrawonga Dachie Cup raised more than $3,000 for Lions Australia Assistance Dogs program.
About 800 people and 200 pooches gathered around the foreshore to enjoy a day of dachshund races, market stalls and fancy dress.
More than 80 sausage dogs, or Wiener dogs as they’re known in their home country of Germany, competed across different heats in attempt to show the greyhounds how it's done.
They scratched, clawed and sprinted to claim their place on the illustrious winner’s podium.
The Yarrawonga Lions club has announced the next event will return on Saturday, November 2.
The Dachie's in a sprint with their tails wagging, and long ears flopping.
Lions Club youth director Diane Richardson said the event was a fabulous family day out.
“It was a huge success for the first edition,” Diane said.
“The Lions Club got a lot of positive feedback from dog owners, community members and people who enjoyed the day out.”
Dachshund mother-of-three, Margie Wickham introduced the idea to Yarrawonga and said the four-legged friends were as unique as their owners.
“They are very funny, very stubborn little fellas,” Margie said.
“At the last race, the Dachshunds didn’t run, they all just stood there and wanted to have a little play.
“If they don’t want to run, they won’t run.”
Margie said their juvenile temperament could be a blessing and a curse.
“They are very yappie, they bark a bit,” she said.
“Although they are very affectionate, their anxiety levels can peak occasionally and it can be hard to train them when they are pups.”
In last year’s race, Dachshunds Don, Elkie and Snickers finished first, second and third all proudly took to the podium after an impressive effort.
L-R: Snickers, Don and Elkie romped it home beating 80 Dachshunds for the top prizes last year.
The Lions Club aims to host an event bigger and better than last year by having more races, market stalls and prizes on offer.
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