Southwold dachshunds smash world record
Dachshund owners from across the country travelled to join the fun.
A Suffolk seaside town has smashed the world record for the biggest number of dogs for a single breed walk, after 2,000 dachshunds arrived on the beach for the annual Southwold Sausage Dog Walk, as reported by East Anglian Daily Times (EADT).
First held in 2017, the Southwold Sausage Dog Walk returned on Sunday 9 October, and organisers were keen to beat the current world record, held by Beaglelandia, a 2018 event that saw 1,029 beagles walk together in Cheshire.
The event easily surpassed those numbers, with a staggering 2,238 dachshunds in attendance – a far cry from the 150 dachshunds attending the first event in 2017.
Event organiser Laura Baggott told the EADT: "It has been a bit crazy, but it's gone really well. We've all had a brilliant day.
"I never thought it would get this big, it wasn't my intention.
"We're slowly going worldwide too. Some people have travelled from Wales, and I was speaking to someone who came from Texas, and there's someone from Argentina too.
“It is a lot of pressure to put it on because we want to get it right, but once the day comes around we all really enjoy it.”
With a world record under their belt, the organisers of the event have discussed their new goals – to make Southwold the sausage dog capital of the world, and to have a dachshund statue erected in the town.
As well as the walk, dachshunds and their owners were able to enjoy looking round stalls, listening to a DJ, taking photographs and socialising with other dachshund enthusiasts.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
