By NADIA DIMATTINA

Dozens of dachshunds from across the country descended on Melbourne last weekend for a celebration of cuteness. 

Hundreds of spectators turned out for the second annual Hophaus dachshund race at Southbank. 

Race organiser Katrina Sherlock said they took extra measures this year to make sure everyone could see what was going on.

“A lot of people couldn't see very well last year because we didn't expect so many people to turn up,” she said.

“This year we have introduced the screens so people can watch it live.”

More than 70 dachshunds sprinted across the 15m track, which was set up on the Southgate podium level, with events for mini, standard, puppies and seniors. 

Adding to the cuteness factor was the costume parade, with owners dressing their dogs as sharks, unicorns and superheroes, just to name a few.

Dog lovers came from across Australia for the event. Sydney owner Sarah Heyora came to Melbourne for the costume competition.

“I love dressing the dogs up. They have lots of outfits. We put them in lots of dress up competitions when we can,” she said.

Event organiser Katrina Sherlock said the event was fun because of the dachshund’s cute proportions. 

“They are the total opposite of a greyhound, they have the shortest legs of any breed and are the funniest to watch and that's why people love [the event] so much,” she said.

She said the event was part of Oktoberfest celebrations and was a bit of a spectacle in Melbourne.

“It’s definitely the race that stops Melbourne,” Ms Sherlock said.

The owner of winning dog in the seniors event, Rob McKinley, said the race brought out the best in his dachshund, Zulu.

“The dachshunds show their emotions. Every little dachie has the biggest grin on its face, it brings out the very best of them,” he said.

 The race and dress up parade raise  funds for Dachshund Rescue Australia.

Rescue founder Sharman Moore said the money paid for any medical treatments rescued dachshunds needed before they were rehomed.

“Some dachshunds come in and require major dental and they can be a couple of thousand dollars,” she said.

Rehoming dachshunds has become more of an issue over the past couple of years.

“A lot of them are rehomed because dachshunds are not a breed for everyone,” Ms Moore said.

Sponsor and owner of My Dachshund Online, Naomi Jones said the event was important in raising awareness.

“Being able to educate people and providing information about adopting and purchasing a dachshund from a reputable breeder is very important,” she said.

Dachshund Rescue Australia was given charitable status in 2014 and works towards rehoming Dachshunds in all states of Australia.