For those of us who have aged decades in the past few months and need a sign that there is still good in our world: this story is for you. Florists and husbands Seppi Küblbeck and Oliver Storz spent 25 years collecting items related to their favorite dog, the noble Dachshund. As residents of the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Regensburg, Küblbeck and Storz believed Dachshunds to be the greatest cultural emblems of their Bavarian town. In 2018, Küblbeck and Storz put around 4,500 items of Dachshund paraphernalia on display when they opened the Dackelmuseum, the world’s first (and still only) museum dedicated entirely to Dachshunds (and where dogs are welcome to tour the exhibits). As if that wasn’t already the greatest gift to humanity, Küblbeck and Storz organized a museum event last Fall in which Dachshunds far and wide were invited to parade through the historic city. And now this: Guinness World Records officially confirmed that the Regensburg Dachshund Parade was the largest ever assembly of Daschunds, with at least 897 of the little wieners counted.
The medieval town of Regensburg — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany — recently learned its event celebrating Dachshund dogs broke a Guinness World Record. In 2024, the town’s local museum, the Regensburg Dackelmuseum, known for its quirky collection of over 4,500 pieces of Dachshund memorabilia, hosted the parade for Dachshund dogs and their owners and enthusiasts.
Guinness World Records recently confirmed that at least 897 Dachshunds attended the dog parade — some counts indicate that 1,175 of the beloved canines were present — and marched along the historic town’s streets. The number of 897 is enough to earn Regensburg the Guinness World Record for the Largest Dachshund Walk.
According to Guinness, dog owners at the record-breaking parade participated in a variety of activities, including dressing in traditional clothing, waving dog banners, and singing with a marching band.
The march reportedly began in a large parking lot. The gaggle of pups then made their way across a historic stone bridge and down the city’s streets, passing the Dackelmuseum and crossing the finish line. The event continued with a celebration in the town square.
The diverse group of wiener dogs came together from all over the world. Local dogs walked alongside wiener pups from 19 different European countries and other locales.
Dackelmuseum founder Seppi Küblbeck told German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that he organized the parade to spread positivity.
“The Dachshund isn’t political,” he said. “For the Dachshund, all people are equal — regardless of skin color or where they come from.”
The museum announced its accomplishment on Instagram on March 10, writing, “It’s official as of today……………. The Regensburg Dackelmuseum has been recognized through the GUINNESS Book of Records as the entry for the largest dachshund PARADE!!!!!!!!! Woohoo.”
Dachshunds have a long history in Germany. The country started breeding the dogs over 300 years ago to hunt badgers, according to the American Kennel Club. The dog breed’s name translates into “badger dog” in German.
Thank you Seppi Küblbeck and Oliver Storz for your invaluable service! When asked in 2018 why they were opening the museum, Küblbeck told the BBC “The world needs a sausage dog museum.” That’s enough of an explanation for me! And the only thing better than touring a curated collection of sausage dog objet d’art — sorted in various categories like “The Dachshund and the Hunt,” “The Dachshund as a Muse,” “The Cultural History of the Dachshund,” and of course, “Hot Dog,” to name but a few — is to do so on the heels of parading through a medieval Bavarian town with fellow wiener aficionados from across the globe. Peace is possible, people!
So even though I usually prefer my vacations to include a beach, a visit to Regensburg’s Dackelmuseum is clearly in order. Though it will take a substantial amount of willpower to keep myself from trying to take everything with me. We didn’t know all the breeds that made up my dearly-departed, gone but never forgotten My Girl, but it was undeniable based on her snout that she had strong Dachshund genes. As such, I was compelled to collect a few Dachshund-themed odds and ends over the years in her honor. While I’m not ready to part with anything just yet, at least I know I can bequeath them to the museum in my will. Let’s face it, it’s likely the only chance I have at getting a ‘Kismet Wing’ anywhere.
photos via Instagram and credit: IMAGO/Manfred Segerer/Avalon
Awwww…nice wholesome content. I’d pay money to go to this parade. They’re all so freakin cute but there’s something about the long-haired ones that just melts my heart. There’s a tan one I always see on the beach near me and she’s soooo sweet I just want to pick her up and put her in my pocket. Wonder if our two cats would be ok with a new friend lol.
I also love the long haired ones. Always make me smile when I see one.
I have a blonde long haired boy and he’s the most gorgeous sunny guy. I had a wonderful silver dapple for 14 yrs. They’re honestly just the best dogs, with such funny clownish personalities. They’re just the biggest goofs but when they stand there and puff their chest out while looking into the middle distance, they really pull off a regal bearing.
My favorite cousin, Hans, was a dachshund. He would visit occasionally and our cat, Tigger, made it clear to Hans that he was in charge. Good times.
I would love this museum, even if I can’t read any of the signs. Bring me all the dachshunds!!
Our Great Pyrenesse Betty White would just give the side eye…
OMG — I have been to this museum!! It is just as cute as you’d imagine.
so cute! I’ve visited Regensburg multiple times and haven’t heard of this! I need to go back now!
After a lifetime of dog ownership (mainly rescues from the pound) I got my first pure-breed short-haired dachshund 18 months ago. She’s extraordinary in terms of intelligence, communication, protectiveness, and interaction with each member of my family. For such a tiny dog she’s had a huge impact…just in terms of creating ‘happiness’ for us. We also didn’t know beforehand that dachshunds don’t smell – at least the short-haired ones. And they just need occasional polishing.
Everything you said has been true in my experience of being owned by them too. They’re really extraordinary little dogs, with so much personality in such a small package. So glad you found your little girl!
Cute little doggies, but they can be quite a handful if their humans don’t raise/train them well.
My favorites are the black and tan long-haired doxies.
The funniest thing? I completely missed out on reading anything about this event last year when it happened, but we live near the other end of Germany. And I just looked, the big national papers/news sites didn’t really report on this.
So thanks for this very welcome distraction from everything that is out there, Kismet!
This makes me outrageously happy. I’ve already added this to my travel Wish List.
Ah Regensburg! I have been there and they are known for their sausages so why not their sausage dogs. Regensburg and Nuremberg have a rivalry about whose sausages are the best. I have tasted both and they are both winners. This was a cute story!
I’ve owned Dachshunds my entire life. Lost Lulu last year. The house has been too quiet without her. We’re picking up our new baby next weekend. Seeing this post makes me ridiculously happy. I’d love to go to the museum.
This is so cute. Glad the Germans are uplifting a native breed. They are very loyal to their family. Dachshunds are a great dogs, adorable lil freaks. My friend’s Dachshund eats tampons and is a clever lil b-stard: my friend got a bin that has a button so he can’t get into it, but Milo figured out how to press the button!
Look at all the tiny legs!!!!
My neighbour has a long haired dachshund (Wilbur) and he’s an absolute delight, I need to send her this and see if they fancy a trip next year.
Awww. This warms my heart. A historical Bavarian town full of sausage dogs.
Dogs are the best.
Ahhh, my little Hanna is part dachshund, and part min pin, best little guy ever. I need to go
Thank you for this excellent coverage. In Milwaukee, where I live, there were Dachshund races at Germanfest last year, and watching those cute little guys tear down the track toward their handlers was an event highlight!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8nu1T22SbM
One of my neighbors has a hyperactive mini weiner dog with a fur pattern identical to a holstein cow. I have never seen one like it before. Brightens my day whenever I see the little yapper. They had to build a fence to contain it to their yard because it would immediately run away and bark its head off whenever it could escape mama. It is such a funny little sh#t.