Rachel Nicholas, Assistant Spectrum Editor
Short legs and long backs took over Richmond as dachshunds and their owners gathered for the fifth annual Dachtoberfest hosted by the Dachshund Enlightenment Foundation.
The event brought dachshund owners, vendors and rescue organizations together for a day filled with fun costumes and exciting races.
Tanya Ryan, a VCU alumna who founded the Richmond event, said her involvement began with her husband’s childhood connection to the breed.
“My husband grew up with dachshunds,” Ryan said. “I married into it, and then I of course became the crazy dachshund lady because we have two.”
Ryan’s love for the breed eventually grew into a small business and involvement with a dachshund Oktoberfest in Maryland.
“When the past organizers could no longer do it, I got a phone call and they were like, do you want it?,“ Ryan said. “And I go, ‘are you kidding? Absolutely.’ I mean, it’s a big event. It’s wonderful.”
Ryan took over the event in 2021, with the first Richmond Dachtoberfest beginning in 2022. Since then, participation from attendees and event organizers has continued to grow.
“Participation has been booming,” Ryan said. “Not just people coming out, but taking the time to design really fantastic costumes or being very, very die-hard about getting into the races and going for it.”
Ryan said the celebration has become a way for owners in the dachshund community to meet one another.
While there are smaller dachshund meetups throughout the area, Ryan said the Dachtoberfest gives owners a chance to gather in one place. Attendees traveled from Williamsburg, Northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and several other states, with one traveling as far as Australia.
Andrew Clarke, a VCU alumnus and a Dachshund Enlightenment Foundation board member, has been involved in Oktoberfest celebrations for much longer than the Richmond event has existed.
Clarke’s experience began in Frederick, Maryland, where he participated in the event for several years before it moved to Richmond. He also brought his expertise as a presenter, a role he has made his own through costumes and performances.
“I would change costumes every year,” Clarke said. “One year, we were all in Disney costumes. My son-in-law was Buzz Lightyear, I was Woody.”
Michael Allen, a Dachtoberfest attendee, decided to go to the event after seeing a post on Facebook. Although he does not own the breed himself, Allen said he was still excited to go as he is a big fan of dogs.
“I’ve never seen so many weenie dogs all in one place,” Allen said. “Of course, there are the other dogs here, but man I didn’t know there could be this many in Richmond.”
Allen said the event offered the opportunity to explore the dachshund community firsthand. He said the welcoming atmosphere made it easy for someone who does not know much about dachshunds to enjoy the event.
“It’s cool seeing how much people care about their dogs,” Allen said. “Like, even if you don’t have one, you can still come out, have a good time and feel like you’re part of it.”
The event offered attendees more than a chance to watch dogs race or show off their costumes. It has become an opportunity for dachshund owners from different cities and states to meet, share their love of the breed and celebrate the community surrounding it.
More information about the Dachshund Enlightenment Fund can be found on their website www.definc.org.