As hundreds of cyclists poured through the Summit City, there was hope that the event would not only bring some exercise and entertainment to the participants but hopefully a changed view of the community in general.The fourth time was the charm for Fender Bender.
Lured by co-owner Katie Knight yelling “I’ve got beer!” and waving the dog’s favorite yellow squeaky ball at the finish line, the dappled dachshund tore down the 50-foot grass track to victory on Saturday afternoon.
Fender Bender, 3 1/2 , beat Budrick von Brat in the championship race to win the 18th annual Wiener Dog Nationals during Germanfest at Headwaters Park.
His official awards included a trophy, a bag of dog food and a gift card to Uncle Bill’s Pet Center.
But his ultimate reward probably was nibbling a hot dog on the only day of the year he’s allowed to eat “people food,” Knight said, who was wearing a “Team Fender” T-shirt.
Mojo finished in third place, while Willie took fourth. (Those two stopped briefly during their race to turn and look at each other through the dividing gate, but both rallied to cross the finish line.)
More than 100 dogs competed throughout the afternoon. Many sported bandannas or lucky collars. One was decked out in a jockey-and-rider costume.
Many barked and squealed at the starting line, anxious to jump out of their handler’s arms. At the finish line, owners waited with toys and snacks – even Doritos for one competitor.
Vendors included The Pink Poodle Pet Spa & Boutique, which sold extra-long dog shirts, including “Low Rider” and “Mr. Sexy” versions.
Shelly Brown of Fort Wayne brought Rocky, 4, to his first race.
“He got confused” at the start and ended up losing to another dog that was “just a little bit faster,” she said. “But he had fun playing with the other dogs.”
Last year, Fender Bender, named for co-owner Nicole Kuechenberg’s love of Fender guitars, finished second.
The dog to beat this year, Budrick, aka Buddy, a long-haired black and tan, also was a returning racer. This was his fifth appearance at Wiener Dog Nationals.
But the 5-year-old was tired after his earlier heats and briefly escaped owner Tony McGuire’s arms before the championship race started. Then he barely made it out of the gate, before heading off the course, as Fender Bender raced down the lane.
“There was no competition there. He wasn’t going to run. He didn’t have one more in him,” McGuire of Huntertown said.
Buddy’s second-place finish Saturday was his best showing at the Germanfest event. But he’s won other regional races in the past, McGuire said.
“We knew he had some speed in him.”
The family plans to return to the Germanfest competition again next year, if Buddy is willing.
“It’s been fun. It’s a tradition now,” McGuire said.
