Sausage dogs set sizzling pace as Dachshunds dash for top dog honours

Their legs may be short but that didn’t stop dozens of Dachshund dashing for the finish line at the Campbell town show in Tasmania’s midlands.

The show is one of Australia’s premier sheep and wool events but another four-legged animal took centre stage on Saturday.

Sausage dogs of all shapes and sizes have squared off in a race to see who’s the fastest in Tasmania.

It was a four-legged frenzy as the field of 70 tested their speed along the 60 metre track with grit and determination.

Some relished the need for speed and raced to their owners.

For others it was a bit more of a struggle.

India Graham entered her dog for the first time.

“Every morning we went for a 10 kilometre run just to get her ready for it, working on those sprints, but the starting gun must have scared her,” she said.

“I’m very proud of my baby girl.”

Race organiser Sophie Weeding said it was just the second time the dog races had been held at the show.

“Everybody loves a sausage dog,” she said.

“I’ve just seen it on the mainland and thought it was a great idea and it definitely was because there’s a great crowd … from all over the state, they’ve come from everywhere.”

After some chaotic heats and a final it was 4-year-old Harna who sprinted away to win.

Former Tasmanian Regan Payne came back from Victoria to test her pooch’s pace against the locals.

“She’s earnt some treats tonight,” she said.

“She’s raced a little bit before but got lost in the crowd and got overwhelmed.”

But it wasn’t all about speed; for the pups who preferred style there was a costume parade.

With entries doubling on last year the Dachshund dash is set to be an ongoing feature.