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Short athletes to compete in 26th Wiener Nationals in Los Alamitos

July 11, 2023

More than a hundred dachshunds from all over the West will be running as quickly as they can on their little legs toward the title of Fastest Wiener in the West.

The Los Alamitos Race Course will be holding the 26th annual Wiener Nationals on Saturday to raise money for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-kill animal shelter and partner for the event. The spectacle has raised more than $25,000 over the years for the shelter, said Orlando Gutierrez, the marketing director at the race course.

Dogs leave the starting gate during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Scottie Sullivan, 6, carries his dog, Cookie, to the starting gate during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Hank the Tank, runs during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Rowdy gets some air as she practices for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Jazzy, left, and Hank the Tank, running during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dog run during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dog owners entice their pets to run during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Scott Whisnant carries Nina to the starting gate during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Lynn Moore holds on to Kynzi pauses for a picture before practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dogs run during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bean, right, joins other dogs as they practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dog owners entice their dogs to ruin during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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“We love dachshunds, we think they’re amazing, and also it’s for a good cause so it’s kind of a win-win,” said Chelsey Engerran-Singh, a Van Nuys resident who entered her dachshund, Leona, into the Diaper Dash, a race for wiener dogs that are a year old or younger.

More than half of the dachshunds competing have never raced before, said Gutierrez, and many of the newcomers were encouraged to enter after they visited and saw the fun at the race.

On Monday, several of the pups were getting acquainted with the track during a preview day.

“We hold these couple of practice events just to get them used to what happens, get them used to the starting gate, get them used to the finish line, get them used to running against other dogs,” Gutierrez said.

Jasmine and Evelyn Melgar drove for more than an hour from San Fernando Valley to enter their dachshund Snoopy into the races. After receiving encouragement from a friend and noticing Snoopy’s nighttime hyperactivity, they decided the race would be the perfect opportunity to show off his speed.

Jasmine Melgar placed Snoopy in the cage at the starting line and as the gate lifted, screamed “Run! Run! Run! Run! Run!” as he raced toward her sister at the finish line, getting distracted by the other dogs in the homestretch and veering slightly off course.

“It’d be cool if he did win, but if he doesn’t, I don’t mind, as long as he has fun,” Melgar said.

The first place prize is $1,000 in cash, a trophy and a new yellow-and-red doghouse, themed for Wienerschnitzel’s involvement in the event. Like the Melgar sisters, many of the owners prioritized fun over prizes.

Danielle Presson and Delilah are in from Boise, Idaho, for their second year racing.

Presson said she and Delilah didn’t do too well in last year’s race, but she is hoping for better results this year.

For Patti Negri, a TV personality from Hollywood, this is her 16th year at the race track. She raced Dora the first 14 years and now partners with Willow, who is fast, but has had a habit of turning around halfway through the race, which they are working on.

Willow almost came in second place at last year’s race, but she turned around at the last minute, losing her chance to place, Negri said.

“I would love for her to win the race, because I know she’s fast enough to win it, if we could just figure out that not-turning-around when she’s almost to the finish line,” Negri said.

Victory is not unfamiliar to Lois and Luis Hernandez from Newbury Park. Their dog, Mr. Schnitzel, was a two-time winner of the race before passing away earlier this year. Now, 6-year-old Kirby is carrying on the tradition for her owners while wearing Mr. Schnitzel’s winning silks.

The couple said that they had fun Monday meeting all the different dogs and seeing all of the variety and spontaneity brought by the little athletes. They also said they loved that their participation would support the Seal Beach shelter.

“I also think it’s important for people to take time and do fun things with their dog, not just have them locked in the house or locked in the backyard,” Luis Hernandez said. “To make them a part of their life, to enjoy them every day of their life.”

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Short athletes to compete in 26th Wiener Nationals in Los Alamitos

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