Tails wag for World Dachshund Day in Geelong

GEELONG joined in the global celebration of World Dachshund Day when 30 of the short-legged dogs made their way to the waterfront on June 22.

Much like the dog breed, the annual event celebrates the longest and shortest day right around the country.

Geelong host Maz Violi said the local event was mainly focused on raising awareness about the dachshund breed.

“They’re very unique. They come with unique health conditions as well, such as IVDD probably being the most prominent one, which is a disc disorder they can get around the age of five years old.”

As part of the celebration, dachshunds and their owners made their way from the Geelong Boathouse down to the Wharf Shed.

One lucky dog also received a prize for being the longest and shortest, while the event also raised funds for DISA, an Australian dachshund IVDD support charity.

Ms Violi said the inaugural walk for Geelong had received some great feedback from community members.

“The highlight for me was just seeing everyone come together, getting to know each other and talking about our breed in general and seeing how excited everyone was.

“Seeing a community of people bonding with a common interest, and that was our dogs, it was just beautiful to watch.”

Event organisers are aiming to make it an annual celebration in Geelong and hoping it gets bigger each year.

“Thank [you to] everyone who came along, including our short-legged friends and those who donated, and most importantly [those] who just came along and enjoyed their time,” Ms Violi said.