Grrrr... sausages!
1,239 DACHSHUNDS CUT A DASH AT EVENT
THE pitter-patter of tiny feet took over Heaton Park at a novel doggy get-together.
More than 1,000 dachshunds descended on Heaton Park for a mass walkies. Sausage dogs, and their owners, were invited to take part to celebrate the breed and raise money for two related charities.
And, as usual, Manchester didn’t disappoint.
The fun-filled Mass Dachshund Walk was the brainchild of Julie Barbour, a member of the North West Dachshund Owners group.
Julie said 1,239 dachshunds were present, marking the gathering as the largest to date.
Similar sausage dog get-togethers have been held in Cornwall, London and Leeds, but Julie said far more were in Heaton Park.
The meet started at the boating lake car park off Sheepfoot Lane.
Cute pictures show dachshunds wearing fancy dress including cardigans, neckerchiefs and tutus.
One was even dressed as a hot dog, complete with a ketchup and bread bun costume.
Julie, 34, from Salford, brought along her three-year-old shorthaired dachshund called Deefa to the event.
She said 601 dachshunds gathered at Perranporth Beach in Cornwall last march, which was believed to have been a world record, and the aim of the Heaton Park event was to beat that figure. “It’s the biggest gathering to date,” Julie said. “We did not expect this many would come, but it was brilliant. It was a great atmosphere and people were saying they had a great time. They’re just an adorable breed.”
All profits raised from a raffle went to the charity Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD, which provides support for the dogs who need treatment for abnormal intervertebral discs. An estimated 25 per cent of all dachshunds will develop abnormal intervertebral discs to the point where they need veterinary treatment.
The Red Foundation, which was launched last year to offer emergency rescue and fostering services for sausage dogs, also benefited.