The long and the short: Hong Kong sausage dogs go walkies

Hong Kong: In a city that likes to dress up its dogs, 50 dachshunds gathered in Hong Kong Saturday wearing everything from patterned winter jumpers to dapper tweed.

It was Hong Kong's first "sausage walk", emulating popular mass dachshund get-togethers in Britain.

The band of excitable dogs and their owners carved a path through the heart of the city on a chilly morning, taking in footbridges, seafood markets and roadside temples en route. 

Dachshunds and their owners pose for a photo during the city's first "Sausage Walk" in Hong Kong on February 3, 2018. AFP / ISAAC LAWRENCE

"They're very cool dogs, very chilled out. He's very relaxed and likes to be with people," Gallagher said, holding Jai Jai, who was sporting a fleece-lined grey tweed hoodie with leather buckles. Organiser Mat Gallagher said he had been inspired to get owners and dogs together after adopting 10-year-old rescue dachshund Jai Jai six months ago.

The group congregated first at one of the city's few dog parks, on its famous harbour front.

As they embarked on their walk, they ran the gamut of delivery drivers, loaded trolleys and Saturday shoppers on the streets of the busy Sheung Wan neighbourhood. 

"Hong Kong is not a dog-friendly city," said Ivan Lo, who had brought dachshunds Kaka and CC for the walk. 

"But they are good friends for us, for humans, so we still want to own one."

Dachshunds and their owners take part in the city's first "Sausage Walk" in Hong Kong on February 3, 2018. AFP / ISAAC LAWRENCE
 

Gallagher said he hoped 2018 would see improvements in Hong Kong's canine landscape -- the walk ended in a dog-friendly cafe. 

For Isabella Redmayne, six, who came with dog Boris, the pleasures of owning a dachshund were simple. 

"He's six-years-old like I am and he licks me on my face. He likes to go to sleep on his blanket and he's really soft," she said, adding that she hoped he would make new friends Saturday.