Beenie Von Weenie named ‘Fastest Wiener in the West’ at California dachshund race
A group of dachshunds didn’t let their short legs discourage them from showing off their speed at an annual wiener dog race in California over the weekend.
Dozens of doxies lined up at the starting line of the Los Alamitos Race Course Saturday to compete in the 26th Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals.
The stout pups sprinted and dashed across the track in a series of 10 50-yard trial heats to determine who would be crowned this year’s “Fastest Wiener in the West.”
Beenie Von Weenie, of Fullerton, California, took home the championship title, beating out roughly 100 other short-legged competitors including reigning champ Paisley.
“Racing from post number two, Beenie Vonweenie flew to a big lead early on, drifted outside to bump Cannonball Charlie and Rowdy, then barked at Penny G in mid-run before focusing on the finish line to win by the title by a long ear and tail,” race organizers said in a new release.
The 2-year-old, chocolate-colored doxie finished the 50-yard sprint in 6.8 seconds in front of a crowd of about 7,000 wiener dog fans. He redeemed himself after narrowly losing the title last year — having stopped short of the finish line to turn and bump the competition, Cannonball Charlie and Rowdy.
“I have the winner, Beenie Von Weenie!” the dog’s proud human Nicolee Leonard told ABC7. “Fantastic! I’ve been coming every year. And he nailed it. He won a doghouse and $1,000. And the title, ‘The Fastest Wienie of the West!”
The key to Vonweenie’s success? A pair of socks, Leonard said.
The owner used her socks to entice him to run towards her at the finish line.
“My socks,” she said. “He loves my socks. Really exciting, I know.”
A wiener named Burr of Cypress, California finished second and took home $500 while three pups, Penny, Kirby QT Pie and Cannonball Charlie tied for third place.
The yearly competition raises funds for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-profit group dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area. Since 1996, the event has helped to raise roughly $300,000 through ticket and merch sales.
