Overview
Forget steins, pretzels and lederhosen, Oktoberfest has produced several other brilliant trends over the years — though not all are entirely on the same wave as the age-old German folk festival. Teckelrennen, or dachshund racing, is one of them.
First held in Australia in the 1970s, racing of tiny dogs became particularly popular across North America in the 1990s — they even made a dogumentary. For the fourth year running, The Flying Moa will hold a wiener race as part of its Oktoberfest festivities on Saturday, 21 September.
There will be two high stakes races (52 dogs took to the racetrack last year), including the headlining wiener sprint and another for pooches that don't quite tick the 'dachshund' box. An awards presentation will take place directly afterwards with several prizes up for grabs. Registration is now open, but your pups will have to be quick to beat reigning champions Bruno, Frankenstein and Archie.
There will be a wiener dog costume parade to complete the experience.
Image: Shelton Leong, Shelton Pictures.