Dachshunds meet and greet at Otamatea Reserve

Whanganui dachshunds, from left, Ope, and his father, Jaxon, both owned by Stacey Jones, and Lulu, owned by Lesley Carter, at Otamatea Reserve on Sunday. Photo/Bevan Conley

There was a remarkable similarity among the dogs frolicking about at Otamatea Reserve on Sunday.

That's because they were all dachshunds, who were at the reserve with their owners for the inaugural meeting of the Whanganui dachshund walking group.

Showing off their friendly and confident personalities, around 10 dachshunds - often nicknamed "sausage dogs" because of their shape - got to know each other, as did their humans.

Organiser Julz Coffey said she had heard of a dachshund walking group in Wellington, and thought she'd like to try something similar in Whanganui.

"I'd met other dachshunds in Whanganui and they're such great dogs because they have personality plus," she said.

She decided to make the first meeting at Otamatea Reserve because most dog owners know it and it's dog friendly.

"We're just going to socialise today, and see where it goes from here. I'm very pleased with the turn-out," Mrs Coffey said.

She is the owner of 2-year-old Fritz, a smooth-coated dachshund, but she had never expected to fall for a dachshund as she and her husband had always owned spaniels.

"After our last spaniel died, we decided we wouldn't have any more dogs," Mrs Coffey said.

"But after about seven months we both started thinking that it just wasn't the same without a dog around."

They considered getting another spaniel, but Mrs Coffey was reluctant to deal with the excess hair that comes with owning a spaniel.

"I had a friend who got a dachshund and I fell in love. So we found a breeder in Whanganui, and that's how we got Fritz."

Frances Sim-Higgins, who owns Left Bank Art Supplies, takes her dachshund, Daisy, to work with her every day. Seven-month-old Daisy is adept at charming people, she said.

"We've had other dogs before, but I've never been as dog crazy as I am now," Ms Sim-Higgins said.

"I am mad about Daisy - she is so funny and lovable."

Mrs Coffey said dachshunds were originally bred for hunting badgers - their barrel shape and slightly webbed paws allowed them to dig and go down holes in the ground - but now they were a popular companion dog.

"They have so much personality. They're affectionate without being pestering," she said.

The dachshund walking group plans to meet on the first Sunday of every month, with the next meeting to be held at Kowhai Park.

To find out more, search for Wanganui Dachshunds on Facebook.