Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals 2013

While on our little break this summer, we missed this year's pawsome promo for the 2013 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at the Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California.  This video ROCKS.  Better late than never, as they say.  Hope everyone had a great time.  And turn up the volume.

Penny Lane: The Fastest Wiener In The West!

We couldn't end the year here at The Long and Short of it All without sending out a huge congratulations to Penny Lane, the Fastest Wiener in the West!  The California native took the 14th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener National Finals on Wednesday in San Diego before the Big Bay Balloon Parade.  According to The Albuquerque Journal, over 3,500 Dachshunds competed nationally in various Wienerschnitzel races, with the top seven racing in Wednesday's Final.  We first met Ms. Lane when she took the Los Alamitos race in July.  Way to go Penny, and congratulations to all the Dachshunds who made the finals.  Woof, WOOF!!

Video by youtuber jasonfreakinbang.

Rolling Bone

The American fast food chain Wienerschnitzel, which specializes in our favorite grub, hot dogs, recently tweeted a preview of their 2012 Der Calendar "Rolling Bone."   We couldn't find the calendar on Wienerschnitzel's Merchandise page, so we're not sure if this is strictly a promotional piece, or will soon be for sale.  Regardless, we sure do have a sudden urge for a frankfurter!

Mein Training zum Dackelrennen 2012

With the passing of Dachtober, 2011, most of the wiener races across the country and around the world have come to an end for the season, save for the Wienerschnitzel Wiener National Finals which will take place in sunny California in December. 
But it's never too early to start training for next year's Dachshund races - here the incredibly handsome black and tan wirehair 'Jasper von Kiebitzhörn' shows that he's one to watch out for in 2012.  Take notice.

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Dachshund Events!

If you live near Riverside, California, you won't want to miss WIENERFEST, Wieners-N-Wheels 2011, at Fairmount Park, May 7th, 2011.  With such a nice graphics promoting the event, how could it not be a blast?  Call the numbers on the flyer for more info, or check out Sunny Oasis Dachshund Rescue and Friends.  Thanks to our pals at Dachshund Delights for sending in the flyer!

Thanks to an Anonymous Dachshund Lover for reminding us that the big Buda Wiener Dog Races are coming up THIS WEEKEND in Buda, Texas!  That's right, the 14th Annual Buda Lions Country Fair and Wiener Dog Races will take place on April 30 and May 1 at City Park. The fair has many exciting elements including a bar-b-que cook-off, bake-off, food vendors, arts and crafts, Buda bee, pet parade, world famous wiener dog races, live music and entertainment, and washer tournament. The theme for the wiener dog races this year is Alice in Wienerland. The cost is $3 per person 13 years of age and up for the weekend and kids 12 and under are free.

This is a very nice, if slightly long, documentary following Ari Moffatt as she enters her wiener dog, 'Sandy,' into the 2010 Buda Wiener Dog Festival and Races by youtuber Kullerdben.

And finally, The 2011 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals returns to the Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California, for the 16th year on Saturday, July 9, 2011. Enjoy the best wiener dog racing in the world at the premier Quarter Horse race track in America. For more info on how to enter your dachshund call 714-820-2800 or e-mail larace@losalamitos.com. Proceeds will benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.

It's gonna be an exciting summer for Dachshunds!

2011 Lubbock Wiener Dog National Dachshund Race

'Calvin' was just crowned the 2010 Wiener Nationals Champion in December, but the 2011 regional qulifier races have already begun.  Kicking things off, eight finalists raced during half-time at the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State men’s basketball game on Saturday in Lubbock, Texas.  Will last year's Lubbock champion, red smooth piebald-ish 'Crystal,' defend her crown?   You'll have to watch the video to find out.  By youtuber Daily Toreader who notes:  The DT's Jon Arnold reports on the halftime event which saw dogs compete for the right to move on to Wienerschnitzel's event in San Diego.

2010 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals and Big Bay Balloon Parade Video Coverage

If you didn't attend this event, or missed the television coverage on USA Network on New Year's Day, here was the best part featuring the races and 'Calvin,' the champion, and newly crowned Fastest Wiener in the West.
Read more about Calvin and his big win at the Albuquerque Journal!

Related: 2010 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champ: Calvin, The Fastest Wiener In The West!

2010 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champ: Calvin, The Fastest Wiener In The West!

Congratulations to Albuquerque, New Mexico native red smooth 'Calvin,' who has officially earned the title of The Fastest Wiener in the West by winning the 15th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Thursday at the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade. Way to go Calvin! The Wiener Nationals are the United States national Dachshund racing championships sponsored by the Wienerschnitzel food chain. Regional qualifiers are held in the Southwestern United States (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico), with the final 8 Dachshunds racing for the national title every December in San Diego as part of the Holiday Bowl.


Excerpt from The OC Register:
 
This has been a big year for Sully [the 2009 Champion], San Clemente's most celebrated wiener. But the dog came up a little short Thursday at Wienerschnitzel's 2010 Wiener Nationals in San Diego.
Sully's San Clemente owners report that Calvin, a deft dachshund from New Mexico, was the winner of an eight-dog finale that produced a bit of chaos among the runners-up.
After originally thinking Sully may have placed third, San Clemente's Miranda Libres, who owns Sully with her boyfriend Juan Flores, learned that Sully finished second. A video replay confirmed it, Libres' mother reported via e-mail.
As the 56-foot race began, Libres stood at the finish line trying to coax Sully to come to her, but someone bumped her out of the way and she thinks Sully lost sight of her, unable to focus on the finish line. Calvin, meanwhile, stayed focused on his favorite tennis ball and took the win.
 
Read more about the finals at The OC Register.  See great stories of the regional qualifiers in the archives.

Pet Rock Motivates Doc the Dachshund in Clovis Wiener Nationals

Whatever it takes to get us to the other end of the track at the races - some Wiener Dogs like their favorite toy, ball, treat, or even a piece of fried chicken - just give 'Doc' his pet rock.  Doc participated in the second annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals in Clovis, New Mexico on Saturday, and his love of his pet rock led him to take 2nd place!   Hats off to the Doctor!  Excerpt from cnj online:

David and Laura Martinez didn’t have to guess why their dachshund, Doctor Martinez, placed second even though it was his first year competing.

“We coaxed him with his pet rock, not treats,” Laura Martinez said.

Martinez said Doc will go after his rock even if it’s hidden in a drawer or a pocket. He found the rock while living in Arizona and it’s been with him since. Even though the family has to hide the rock from Doc occasionally to give his gums a break, he won’t stand for it long, Martinez said.

“Dachshunds have the best personalities,” Martinez said. “They are loving, they snuggle with you under the covers. They are very well behaved. They’re protective.”

Big congrats goes out to 'Lady Bug' for taking the crown this year after placing 2nd last year.  Read all about the Clovis Wiener Nationals at cnj online.

Meet Penny Lane, Los Alamitos Wiener Nationals Champion!

Congrats again to 'Penny Lane,' this year's champion from the 2010 Los Alamitos Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, which took place on Saturday in Los Alamitos, California.  Ms. Lane beat out 98 Dachshunds to take the crown!  She is seen here with her human Trish Ausilio, and city of Cypress Mayor Prakash Narain.
Excerpt from the OC Register:

An estimated 12,000 people attending this year’s event.
Penny Lane’s win collected $1,000 for Ausilio, and an official Wienerschnitzel crystal trophy and a red dog house.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.
In addition, Wienerschnitzel will award Ausilio a trip for two, plus Penny Lane, to San Diego to compete in the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Grand Finale at the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl's Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade on Dec. 30.

Forest and the Los Alamitos Wiener Nationals 2010

Congratulations to all the Dachshunds who raced in the 15th Annual Los Alamitos Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals on Saturday in Los Alamitos, California.  A special congrats goes out to 'Penny Lane' for taking the crown this year, as well as defending champion 'Presley' for finishing in second place.
And thanks to our pal 'Forest' for sending in such a fine video from the event!  The video notes:  Forest, our 1 and half year old miniature dachshund, participated in this year's 15th Annual Wiener Nationals at the Los Alamitos race course sponsored by Wienerschnitzel. He was in trial #7 - he did his very best coming in 6th place out of 8 :-) Enjoy this video!
You may remember the handsome Forest from A Day In the Life of Forest the Dachshund.  

As the gate goes up contestants in the third race of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course begin their 50-yard sprint toward the finish line. Ninety-eight Dachshunds were selected to compete in this year's Wiener Nationals for a prize of $1000.  See 10 photos from the event at The OC Register.

Dachshunds To Watch Out For

If this chocolate sweetie looks familiar, that's because you recognize 'Riley,' the long dog who took the races this past March at the grand opening of a Pink's Hot Dog restaurant in California.  Or maybe you recognize Riley's human, Brittany Hayes, who won an Olympic Silver Medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics for water polo.  This smashing duo will now be competing at the 15th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals on Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California.  “I am competitive, of course,” Hayes says. “But Riley just loves to race. He’s a natural. People might think I’m a crazy dog lady. Well, I am a crazy dog lady but not one who goes crazy if my dog doesn’t win.”

Read all about them at the Press-Telegram or the OC Register. 

Lucy bolts from her practice starting box.

Now meet 'Lucy,' a red smooth from Spring Valley Lake, California, who will also be competing this weekend in Los Alamitos.  And Lucy isn't just competing, she's also a poster gal for the Wienerschnitzel restaurants this year!  “It seems like it’s really not about the one that’s the fastest, it’s the one that can maintain focus for the entire 13 seconds it takes to run the course,” Kevin Barda, Lucy’s owner, said with a laugh.  Read all about Lucy at the Daily Press.

We don't know who to root for!



We've been anxiously awaiting for some great promo videos for this year's Los Alamitos races, but alas, they have yet to be found.  This one from last year is worth a second look though....or even a third or a fourth.

Dachshund Love Stories

Meet 'Sammy Davis,' Wienerschnitzel Wiener Champion, and his human Patrick Major, who hail from Pleasanton, California.    Mr. Major was suffering from failing kidneys and undergoing dialysis when Sammy came into his life.  "Sammy Davis means life, love, and longevity to me," says Mr. Major.
If you have a few minutes to spare, you don't want to miss the incredible slide show and story about the special bond these two share.  Sammy Davis saved his life.  Read all about it at The Oakland Tribune.

Keep up with Sammy Davis at his very own website.

Related:  2007 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Winner:  Sammy Davis

Dachshunds in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Parade

In case you missed the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Parade which was televised on USA Network on New Year's Day, here was the best part featuring 'Sully,' the Fastest Wiener in the West on the Wienerschnitzel float, and the Weenie Waddlers, aka the rest of the fine Dachshunds who competed in the Wienerschnitzel finals on December 30th. 

Related:  Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champ:  Sully, The Fastest Wiener In The West!

Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champ: Sully, The Fastest Wiener In The West!

Congratulations to isabella and tan smooth 'Sully,' who has officially earned the title of The Fastest Wiener in the West by winning the 14th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals yesterday at the Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade.  Way to go Sully!  The Wiener Nationals are the United States national Dachshund racing championships sponsored by the Wienerschnitzel food chain. Regional qualifiers are held in the Southwestern United States (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada), with the final 8 Dachshunds racing for the national title every December in San Diego as part of the Holiday Bowl.
Excerpt from The Orange County Register:

When you've got a fast dog chasing your butt, it pays to be the fastest wiener in the West.
And so it was today with Sully, a 2½-year-old dachshund from San Clemente, California.
As the premier dogs were nearing the finish line, the wiener behind Sully bit him in the buttocks – "right in the patoot," said owner Miranda Libres.
"He turned around and he kind of tried to bite him back," she said.
But by then, Sully was already the winning wiener.

Congratulations to all the Dachshunds who made it to the championship race.  Read all about Sully's big moment and see lots of pics at The Orange County Register.



Video of the final race by youtuber EricLanzRoberts.

Watch the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Parade on USA Network on New Year's Day at 9AM Eastern/8AM Central Time.  There are usually highlights from the Wiener Nationals.

Great Related Stories:  Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals coverage

Weekend Wiener Wrap-Up!

Wiener Dogs rocked(!) all over the country this past weekend, starting with the 13th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals on Saturday in San Diego. Over 350 Dachshunds competed to be top dog. That's a lotta wiener dogs! The top 16 finalists will race again on Tuesday during the Padres game! Read more and see a fun pic at Sign On San Diego. These Wienerschnitzel races lead up to the finals that will take place in December as part of the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl weekend.

And in Reno, Nevada, hundreds cheered on over 150 Dachshunds during the Nevada State Fair on Sunday. Congrats goes out to 'Murphy' for taking the prize again this year! Way to go Murphy!

Dachshunds To Watch Out For

Meet handsome dappled rescue 'Bear Hunting,' and his human Karl Korff, who hail from Clovis, New Mexico. Your Long and Short of it All hostess 'Maggie' thinks that Bear Hunting is one of the sexiest dogs she's ever seen. Wowza! Bear Hunting, aka 'The Streak,' will be running in this Saturday's Wienerschnitzel National Race in Clovis, the first time the Wienerschnitzel chain has sponsored a race there. Bear Hunting's Dachshund sister 'Angel Wings,' aka 'Lightning,' will also be competing on Saturday. Read all about it and see a fun pic of Angel Wings at cnjonline.

Go Junior, Go!

Cassandra Dishwiller and Lulu Landeros cheer for their favorite Dachshund during the Wienerschnitzel 2009 Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Racetrack in Cypress, California, on Saturday. See 22 photos from the event in a great slideshow at the OC Register.

Awesome Dachshund Videos: Presley, 2009 Los Alamitos Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals Champion

Our hats off to the organizers of Saturday's 2009 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California. There have been great promo videos this year by both the Wienerschnitzel food chain as well as the race track, and this video documenting the win by little red smooth 'Presley' is just icing on the cake. Congrats to Presley and his humans, Jim and Amy Caetta of Placentia, California on taking the title, and all the Dachshunds who competed. From youtuber losalqh:

The King, errr Queen, has left the building. Actually, Presley, a two-year-old female brown dachshund owned by Jim and Amy Caetta of Placentia, California, left Los Alamitos as the 2009 Wiener Nationals Champion after she pulled away to a daylight win over Miranda Libres' #7 Sully in the 2009 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals on Saturday at Los Alamitos Race Course. Ariel Biley's #5 Detective Douglas, last year's runner-up was third. Defending champion #6 Max lacked racing room at the start and finished fourth. He was trying to become the first back-to-back winner of the event. While the paid attendance was 8,288, track officials estimate that more than 12,500 people enjoyed the event, as children 17 and under are admitted to the event for free. The Wiener Nationals featured 98 wiener dogs competing in a record 13 races, the most ever in the fourteen-year history of this event.
Rounding out the rest of the finishers (in post-position order) was Joyce Olivera's Oliver of Ventura, Lona Castro's Daisy of Pico Rivera, Kim Day's Jasmeiner of Tujunga, Paul and Christine Guzman's Covina, Charlotte Groves' Link of Palm Desert, and Eulices and Yeci Gomez's Otto of Long Beach.

Related: Los Alamitos Wiener National Coverage

Dachshunds To Watch Out For

The 14th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals will be this Saturday, July 18, 2009, at the Los Alamitos Race Course in Los Alamitos, California,with proceeds to benefit the local Seal Beach Animal Care Center. The Care Center is a non-profit group dedicated to finding home for stray animals in the Orange County area. See how the wieners are training for the event in the above fun video.

Also racing will be this beautiful girl, 'Maddie,' who hails from Whittier, California. Maddie is seen practicing here on Tuesday, running 50 yards for a hot dog at a local High School.

Maddie's human Dan Marquez said the family adopted Maddie when another family lost their home and had to move into an apartment.
"She's a super, super good dog," Marquez said. "We let her smell a little piece of a hot dog, and then we run, and let her go, and she just bolts as fast as can be."

Read all about Maddie, see another great pic of her with her humans, and find out more about the event at the Pasadena Star-News.

Related: Los Alamitos Wiener Nationals coverage