Dachshund Derby

If your wiener dog feels the need for speed, comes from an impressive blood line, or just dresses well enough to come in last and still merit a photo finish, feel free to enter them in the third annual Dachshund Derby, presented by Lake County Veterinary Clinics!  From adults to fresh puppies, all wiener dogs are welcome to participate. The derby will pit all of the registered dachshund pups against each other in a timed race from one end of a grass track to the other.

Even if you don’t have a dachshund of your own, the sight of dozens of cute pups dashing for glory is a great event you won’t want to miss!

When: Sunday, September 17th. 

Quarterfinals start at 12:30 p.m., and the semi-finals are from 1:30pm-2pm. The finals are immediately following the semi-finals.

Where: Bayfront Festival Park

What: A race from one end of an enclosed grass track to the other.

Race Rules

1. You will need two people, one to hold onto the dog at the start and one to catch the dog at the finish line. If you do not have a second person let us know and we will call for volunteers from the audience, (but lack of familiarity with the end catcher may work against you!)

2. People do not run with the dogs from one end to the other. The fun part is to see which dogs run and which visit with their dog buddies instead of running.

3. The dog that crosses the finish line first will win bragging rights as the official 2023 Dachshund Derby Champion in addition to a custom Duluth Oktoberfestival Dog Collar.

4. Favorite toys, balls or other props may be used at the finish line only to encourage your dog to run towards the finish line.

5. For their own safety, all dogs must be on leash until they are ready to run the race.

6. Any dogs that jump the start whistle will be disqualified at the judges’ discretion.

7. Race judges will have the final say on who wins, if finishes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd look too close to call.

8. Costumes encouraged.

9. Registration is limited to the first 32 dogs who enter.