Races
1) REGISTER ONLINE: http://savannahnow.com/wienerdogs
2_ ALL DOGS RACING NEED TO SHOW UP AT 9 AM
ALL racing dogs need to be at CHECK-IN - to pick up your HEAT ASSIGNMENT, and OFFICIAL RACING NUMBER. Races are done in “HEATS” of 10 dogs each, according to size, age, weight,
3) WHERE DO I GO? WAVING GIRL STATUE
River Street goes in one direction - go to the END of RIver Street -where it dead-ends into the GA POWER/ELECTRIC building. We will be in the grassy park area.
6) GRAND FINALE - RACE-OFF - WIll be sometime around noon - We can NOT control what time, because it depends upon A) How many dogs register and B) how quickly the races go. The Top 10 Dogs - based upon RACING TIME, will be called back to race for the Grand Finale. If you are not there when we call the WINNERS TO RACE FOR GRAND FINALE, we will call the next dog on the list. RACE UPDATE: WEATHER ADVISORY:
Please check the Savannah Waterfront Association / River Street Savannah website: for latest updates on the Overall Oktoberfest schedule/ weather forecast. Here is link ; http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com/
Format: Dachshund Register to race, are given a bandanna, we have 10 different bandanna colors to help distinguish all those little doggies ! That’s the winner-the little RED dog - hmm- LOTS of little RED doggies 
2009 Fees: $20 per dog HISTORY: The Annual Savannah Wiener Dawg Races were the brainchild of Mr. Rick Lott, the Executive Director of the Savannah Waterfront Association. Owned by dachshunds, himself, he came up with the idea in 1996 and launched the first race with help of his beloved dachshunds. Over the years, he expanded the races, with the help of his team, talented Kenny Hill and the vivacious Ms. Jessica Crocker, growing the races into one of the most amazing events on the East Coast. Definitely, one of the Largest Dachshund Events on the planet !! The Waterfront Team’s good works has resulted in lifelong memories and hours of fun for families, dogs, visitors to Savannah, as well as raising much-needed money to help local pet charities.
Wieners racing for Wieners!! In 2006, The Savannah Dachshund Club was asked to take on the duties of organizing the race. This marked a memorable milestone -in the race’s history - for the first time - all profits from the races - went directly to DACHSHUNDs ! Wieners racing for Wieners!! Ellen Hatcher, Shannon Wynn, Susan Catron, Richard Pfister, Hon. Judge Claire Williams, Ossie Lopez, John Fleming, and scores of other volunteers came out to help.
THE NAVY COMES ON BOARD ! Mr. Tom Wright of the Naval League also jumped in and helped to secure Sailors who were in town on shore leave - to help with crowd control and also as a way for them to do service in the local port of Savannah and meet Savannah natives. We’re pleased that this coordination with our men/women in uniform is continuing to this day !!
PET CHARITIES: also in 2006 the Wiener Dawg Races - offered to every local pet charity the opportunity to display their materials, business cards, volunteer forms, calendar of events - etc - on ONE DISPLAY table - FREE OF CHARGE - as a means of helping ALL LOCAL Pet charities, dogs, cats, birds to gain new donors, sponsors, volunteers and just get the word out to the community
In 2009, Scott West and Scooter Pie the Piebald dachshund retired from the Savannah Dachshund Club and turned the races over to Ellen Hatcher of the Dachshund Rescue of North America. Ellen is the contact for any information about the Savannah Dachshund Club and the Wiener Dawg Races - she may be reached at :
ellenwh@bellsouth.net
RACE REGULATIONS:
_Must be a dachshund (some SMALL mixed Breeds are accepted - decision is up to the Judging Committee) _IF not eligible to race, we suggest you enter your dawg into the Small Dogs Costume Contest which is open to Dachshund Mixes. that are under 30 lbs.
_Each Dog must have proof of Rabies Vaccination, tags or letter from Vet
_Each dog must be accompanied by 2 people, OWNER and HELPER to load dog into the Racing Chute
_No Food allowed in race track - owners can have their favorite TOY to help motivate their dog.
_$20 per dog racing fee (as of 2009)
_All dogs must be registered, prior to racing, and owners sign “Release of Liability/Photo Release”
MONEY: ALL PROFITS go directly to the nonprofit 501-c: Dachshund Race of North America, one of the largest and oldest Dachshund Rescue groups in the USA. Ms. Ellen Hatcher is the local Savannah area representative.
Any Questions?
Contact
Ellen Hatcher: ellenwh@bellsouth.net
THANK YOU !