Some of the shortest legs in the animal kingdom were a runaway success as sun, snags and sausage dogs sizzled at the second South Island Dachshund Derby in Lawrence on Saturday.
More than 600 competitors, crew and spectators filled the town’s gymkhana grounds to soak up festivities surrounding the 82 dachshunds officially registered for the event, a remarkable figure given just three reside in Lawrence.
Originally bred not for speed but to tackle underground creatures like rabbits, they still provided fierce competition for the main event Wiener Race.
The dogs went through various heats to leave this year’s title for fastest sausage off the grid to Amber, a burrow-bully from Balclutha
The programme included the Bark Up, won by Jill Wallace’s local bitch Annie, and the best-dressed dog and owner prize was taken by Invercargill bunny-botherer Elvis — and his manager — with their king of rock ’n’ roll ensemble.
Key organiser and Lawrence local Olivia Montgomery said the derby had grown beyond all expectations.
"One of my favourite moments was seeing how much effort families, especially the kids, put into the costumes.
"The creativity was next level," she said.
People travelled to the derby "from all over the country — and now even from overseas".
Special mention was made of Pretzel, the reigning Wollongong Dachshund Derby champion, now relocated from Australia to Edendale.
Ms Montgomery praised the community effort to create the event.
"It’s hard to describe just how special it’s become."
