16th Annual Dachshund Derby

Dachshund Derby

Sunday, July 30th, 2023

16th Annual Dachshund Derby

Registration Opens June 1, 2023

Registration $15.00 per dog

1:05 pm  Blessing of the Dachshunds
1:15 pm  Dachshund Derby and Ribbons
2:30 pm  Dachshund Costume Contest

This Dachshund Race

Our 16th Year

This Dachshund Race is the off-the-wall “brain child or pet project” of the late great Patrick T. Dineen. Although he was of Irish decent, he never missed a German Fest and he had great love for his three loyal wiener dogs – Lisa, Libby and Little Cash. Mr. Dineen donated hours and hours to bring his Dachshund Race idea to German Fest, originally thinking it would be a one year attraction. But the Dachshund Derby seemed to have “legs” – lots of them – and now it’s a permanent fixture each year at German Fest thanks to an Irish gentleman by the name of Patrick T. Dineen! Danke Mr. Dineen! We miss you and so do the dogs!

Dachshund Derby & Wiener Dog Costume Contest

The fur flies Sunday afternoon in the annual Dachshund Derby und Wiener Dog Costume Contest! There are six age categories. All entered Dachshunds go schnoz-to-schnoz, and sometimes schnoz-to-tail, all for a chance to be crowned “Champion of the Dachshund Nation”.

Following the races, watch the pint-sized pups strut their stuff trying to out-shine all others in a no-holds-barred Wiener Dog Costume Contest! Winners are determined by audience applause in conjunction with a dog loving Celebrity Judge.

Dachshund Racing Heats

The Races

The racing heats are determined by the dogs’ ages as shown below.  Prizes will be awarded for each age bracket. Prizes and group photo given immediately after each heat. The race heats are:

Puppy to 1 year old          Lil’ Smokies
1 year – 3 year old            Frankfurters
3 year – 5 year old            Bratwursts
5 year – 8 year old            Schnitzels
8 year and up                    Knockwursts
Special Needs                   Braunschweigers

2016 Dachshund Derby

2016 Highlights

2015 Dachshund Derby

2015 Highlights

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