See wiener dogs soar to new heights in annual race at Florida festival – USA TODAY

Posted on: October 2, 2022 Posted by: Petsynse Comments: 0

Adorable dogs of all colors and hair lengths competed in the third annual wiener dog race in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The city held the wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration on Oct. 1. The two-day festival celebrates German culture, in addition to weiner dogs. 

Dachshunds, the official breed name for weiner dogs, began racing in Australia in the 1970s. They were never meant to be racing dogs, per the American Kennel Club, but the sport has since spread around the world. 

The winner of the wiener dog race, Oscar, grabs a toy from his first place trophy during the City of Port St. Lucie's annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.

See the wiener dogs, with grit and determination, compete for glory, bragging rights, pieces of pepperoni – as a celebratory treat — and a trophy fitting of the famously long dog with short legs. 

Oscar the wiener dog was crowned the winner of the race.

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The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie.
The City of Port St. Lucie held the 3rd annual wiener dog races as part of its annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie. Tcn Weiner Derby
Oscar (front) wins the wiener dog race during the City of Port St. Lucie's annual Oktoberfest celebration, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center.

Contributing: Crystal Vander Weit, TCPalm

Camille Fine is a trending visual producer on USA TODAY’s NOW team.