Sausage dogs don festive dress for London parade

The dachshunds' gathering in London's Hyde Park came after a previous "Sausage Walk" planned for Halloween had to be postponed because it had become so popular organisers needed to apply for an events licence.

"It was going to be too much fun so they cancelled it," laughed Nicky Bailey, the owner of three sausage dogs: Una and her two 19-week-old puppies Ember and Finnegan, wearing matching red coats and silver tinsel.

One thing everyone present had in common: a cast-iron belief that dachshunds are the ultimate pet.

"They're naughty and stubborn, very affectionate, very funny and have bags of character," said Bailey, a 48-year-old interior designer from West London.

"It's dachshunds all the way for me. They're just about the cutest thing I think you could ever look at," she added.

The walk was started eight years ago by Ana Rodriguez as a way to help her dachshund Winston get along with other dogs when he was a puppy.

Now, it is a chance for the capital's dachshunds to meet, play and compete in a best-dressed competition while their owners compare notes.

Retail worker Jon Rummins, 43, who brought his three-year-old Bear along dressed in a santa themed coat, said Dachshunds were like little "warriors".

He said their amusing mannerisms and characters went hand in hand with "this Napoleon syndrome where they think they're big and strong and scary when they're really not.

"Bear wants to stamp his authority on things by barking at the big dogs, but they just ignore him," he said.

Grace McCarthy, 19, said her dog Sausage also had a strong character and was "very vocal" if anyone ever looked like they might trip over him.

The horse rider from southeast London brought her cockapoo along as well but said he was clearly "not enjoying it very much", unlike Sausage.

"He loves socialising and being with other dogs," she said as he strained at the leash excitedly, wearing a brown and white spotted fleece with antlers.

"His name was Slinky, but he didn't like that. He only answers to Sausage," she added.