More than 50 dogs competed in races. Photo / Getty Images
More than 50 dogs competed in races. Photo / Getty Images
Sausage dogs across Melbourne have donned their best costumes to compete in the city's first dachshund race in front of hundreds of fans.
More than 50 dogs competed in the inaugural "Running of the Wieners" dachshund race in Southbank on Saturday, with many other dogs and their human owners watchingfrom the sidelines.
There were also events for mini, standard, old and disabled dachshunds, as well as a best dressed competition.
Dogs competing in the Running of the Wieners. Photo / Getty Images
Race organiser Scott Highfield says dachshunds are more athletic than people think.
"They're really fast, especially the minis; the minis move faster than you think," Mr Highfield told AAP before the race.
"It's on for young and old as soon as they jump out of the blocks; it's over very quickly." Training dachshunds for sporting glory requires patience.
As well as being a contender for the main event, Hayley Swanson's dog Chilli won third place in the costume competition dressed as a biker, complete with a skull-and-bone painted helmet.
"We've been training her now for maybe a month," Ms Swanson told reporters.
