Wiener Dogs Race for Top Dog Trophy this Weekend in Vancouver
Who will be the wiener in the race for top dog?! This weekend, Hastings Racecourse is going to the dogs with the annual Wiener Dog Races taking place on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17.
The Wiener Dog Races at Hastings Racecourse are a highlight of every Vancouver summer and its a sight that really must be seen at least once. You may have never actually seen a dachshund run, but these dogs can go fast when money and dignity is on the line!
Presented by Hastings Racecourse and Schneiders, there is a total of $2,500 in the overall puppy prize pool with the TOP DOG winning $1,000 to spend on doggy treats, bones, and lots and lots of fancy chew toys.
Image courtesy of Hastings Racecourse | Facebook.com
The Wiener Dog Races are free to attend, and each heat is held in between the live horse racing events. To crown top dog, there are five qualifying heats on Saturday and three races on Sunday with the Championship showdown taking place at around 4:00 p.m.
“Things can get pretty tense,” says Official Starter and Wiener Warden Joe Gray. “One owner escorts its entry to the starting gate while the other waits at the finish line frantically waving a favourite treat or toy.”
When the gates open – the dachshunds make a mad dash… well, at least some of them do. While most of the doggies rush to greet their owner on the other side of the finish line, some participants prefer to stop and smell the roses (if you know what I mean), and others bolt to the out-of-bounds areas. Still others don’t even make it out of the starting gate and prefer to turn back around and wait until the excitement is over.
Image courtesy of Hastings Racecourse | Facebook.com
All the mayhem really adds to the excitement and fans are encouraged to cheer on the spirited and short-legged competitors.
The Wiener Dog Races at Hastings Racecourse are one of the not-to-be-missed events of Vancouver’s summer! Make sure you take some time to check out the competition this weekend, July 15 & 16. Who will be the wiener? Who will take home the top dog prize!? Only time and tails will tell… Check out the Hastings Racecourse website for more details.
Quick Details
Date: Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16
Time: Races start after 2:00pm in between horse racing
Where: Hastings Racecourse,188 N Renfrew St, Vancouver (directions)
Admission: Free!
Website: www.hastingsracecourse.com