Pups to perform on doggy derby day

PINT-sized pooches have been running to Inverleigh for more than a decade.

The 11th annual Dachshund Derby Day is back next weekend on Sunday, 5 March at the Inverleigh Sporting Complex, and co-organiser Melissa Gillett said the unique event puts the town on the map.

“People know Inverleigh because of the Dachshund Derby,” she said. “We’re expecting about 100 entrants, and 2000 people, but it grows every year.

“We get a lot of people travelling from far and wide, and all over Victoria, to take part… because the Dachshund is a very popular breed in this day and age. It’s even a symbol for Peter Alexander.”

The program includes dashes for all breeds, older, younger and two-to-eight-year-old dogs, and the three ultimate Inverleigh Dachshund Derbies.

There will be best child handler, cutest puppy and fancy dress competitions, and egg and spoon, sack, billy can, and pooper scooper races.

“It’s a day where people really celebrate their dogs of many breeds, all different shapes and sizes.

“They bring them along to socialise, they show them off, and spend a lot of time talking to people about their animals,” Ms Gillett said.

Twenty-five stallholders are expected on the day, predominantly selling products for dogs, but there will also be food and coffee vendors, a brewery selling their beer, a visit from a mobile children’s farm, and face painting.

The Inverleigh Dachshund Derby is also supported by volunteers of the Inverleigh Leigh Valley Lions Club, who will help keep the day running smoothly.

Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, will officially open the event in the morning. Dogs must be on leads, except for in the derby events, no aggressive dogs are permitted, and attendees are asked to bring their own seating.