Dachshund lovers were in for a treat when up to a thousand dogs and their owners gathered for the world’s largest gathering of sausage dogs yesterday.
The pups met at Southwold Harbour, in Suffolk, on Sunday morning before heading out for their sunny walk, which finished at the town’s Pier.
Among them was Laura Baggott, 32, an eyebrow tattoo artist from Leiston, Suffolk, who owns three dachshunds and first organized the walk on Facebook in 2017, when just 150 dogs took part.
The much-loved event has been organized every year since, except 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 largest gathering of dogs of any breed – when 2,238 dachshunds took part.
Laura Baggott, 32, who organizes the world’s largest annual gathering of sausage dogs
Some of the approximately 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 crunching filled the air in the seaside town. Pictured: Dachshund owners on the beach Sunday morning
Four rescue dachshunds owned by Karen and Brian Hodgkins
Woodie, the Dachshund, pictured with his wheels helping him take part in the annual Sausage Dog Walk
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 decided a license costing £1,000 needed to be applied for if organizers wanted to set up a stage for live music.
Mrs Baggott said: “We weren’t counting the number of dogs this year as we set the record last year.
“Basically we just take Southwold for the day. The dogs love to socialize and it’s a fantastic atmosphere.’
The event is partly aimed at raising awareness and funds to fight intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) which is common in sausage dogs due to their long bodies.
Mark O’Donnell and wife Roxanne from Beccles, Suffolk, took part 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’s had his wheels for two years and he’s really happy because he can get around like any other dog.”
Social worker Liz Hewitt, 67, from Ipswich, Suffolk, who was with husband Dave and her family’s three dachshunds, said: “It’s just the best day out.”
The beautiful Barbara Wolanska and her dachshund Tilly on the sausage dog walk
The pups met at the town’s harbor in the morning before heading out for their walk
The annual walk which ended at Southwold Pier. Pictured: Two excited dog owners
The event has been organized every year since, except during Covid in 2020, and has gradually grown in size
Liz Hewitt with her family’s dachshunds attending the world’s largest annual gathering of sausage dogs
Mark O’Donnell and wife Roxanne with their two dachshunds including Woodie who is on wheels
“It’s great to get together with other dachshund owners and have a great day out in the sunshine. Southwold is wonderful, and so are all the people and dogs.’
Karen Hodgkins, 60, from 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 they love their cuddles.’
Hairdresser Julie Attewell, 39, from Hadleigh, Suffolk, who was out for a walk with her seven-month-old daughter Arabella, her mother Sharron Wilkinson and their five dachshunds, added: “We didn’t want to miss out today.
The event aims in part to raise awareness and funds to fight intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) which is common in sausage dogs due to their long bodies.
Dachshund owners strolling along Southwold seafront during the world’s largest 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 from Bungay, Suffolk, who was with her son Gary and their three dachshunds, said: “I’ve 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 play with them. We are out every day in the fields and on the beaches.’
Polish beauty Barbara Wolanska from 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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