Dachshund lovers were in for a treat when up to a thousand of the dogs and their owners gathered for the world’s biggest sausage dog gathering yesterday.
The little dogs met up at Southwold’s harbour, in Suffolk, on Sunday morning before setting off for their sunny stroll which ended at the town’s pier.
Among them was Laura Baggott, 32, an eyebrow tattoo artist from Leiston, Suffolk, who owns three dachshunds and first organised the walk on Facebook in 2017 when just 150 dogs attended.
The much-loved event has been staged every year since, apart from during the Covid pandemic in 2020, and has gradually grown in size.
Last year, the gathering set an unofficial world record for the world’s biggest ever gathering of dogs of any breed – when 2,238 dachshunds attended.
Four rescue dachshunds owned by Karen and Brian Hodgkins
Woodie, the dachshund, pictured with his wheels which help him take part in the annual sausage dog walk
Laura Baggott, 32, who organises the world’s biggest annual gathering of sausage dogs
Some of the estimated 1,000 dachshunds walking on the beach at Southwold, Suffolk
Julie Attewell with daughter Arabella and her family’s five dachshunds
The sound of exciting yapping filled the air in the seaside town. Pictured: Dachshund owners on the beach on Sunday morning
Up to a thousand dachshunds and their owners gathered to walk more than a mile in the sunshine along the sandy beach at Southwold
But this year’s walk was scaled back after council officials ruled that a license costing £1,000 needed to be applied for if organisers wanted to erect a stage for live music.
Ms Baggott said: ‘We were not counting the number of dogs this year, having set the record last year.
‘Basically we just take over Southwold for the day. The dogs like to socialise and it is a fantastic atmosphere.’
The event is partly aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which is common in sausage dogs due to their long bodies.
Mark O’Donnell and wife Roxanne of Beccles, Suffolk, attended with their seven-year-old disabled dachshund Woodie who has a set of wheels to support him, as he suffers from IVDD.
Roxanne said: ‘He has had his wheels for two years and is really happy because he can get around like any other dog.’
Social worker Liz Hewitt, 67, of Ipswich, Suffolk who was with husband Dave and her family’s three dachshunds, said: ‘This is just the best day out.
Beautician Barbara Wolanska and her dachshund Tilly at the sausage dog walk
The little dogs met up at the town’s harbour in the morning before setting off for their stroll
The annual stroll which ended at Southwold Pier. Pictured: Two excited dog owners
The event has been staged every year since, apart from during Covid in 2020, and has gradually grown in size
Liz Hewitt with her family’s dachshunds, taking part in the world’s biggest annual gathering of sausage dogs
Mark O’Donnell and wife Roxanne with their two dachshunds including Woodie, who is on wheels
‘It is marvellous to get to get together with other dachshund owners and have a brilliant day in the sunshine. Southwold is lovely, and so are all the people and dogs.’
Karen Hodgkins, 60, of Bowers Gifford, Essex, who was with husband Brian, 71, and their four rescue dogs, said: ‘Dachshunds are just the best breed.
‘They are such fantastic little characters. They talk to you and communicate, and love their cuddles.’
Hairdresser Julie Attewell, 39, of Hadleigh, Suffolk, who was at the walk with her seven-month-old daughter Arabella, her mother Sharron Wilkinson and their five dachshunds, added: ‘We didn’t want to miss today.
The event is partly aimed at raising awareness and funds to combat Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which is common in sausage dogs due to their long bodies
Dachshund owners strolling along the Southwold seafront during the world’s biggest annual gathering for sausage dogs
‘We love our dachshunds. They are like a big dog in a small dog’s body, and make wonderful pets.’
Teresa Godsafe of Bungay, Suffolk, who was with her son Gary and their three dachshunds, said: ‘I have had these dogs since my son was six months old.
‘I just love them. They are so easy to live with. You can also have fun and games with them. We are out every day over the fields and on beaches.’
Polish beautician Barbara Wolanska of Ipswich, Suffolk, who was with her pet Tilly, said: ‘I grew up with dachshunds. Having one is great for my mental health.’
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