It was a day to remember for sausage dogs across the nation – as hundreds of dachshunds and their human companions flocked to Southwold for a record-breaking attempt.

East Anglian Daily Times: The event was inspired by Lauras dog Percy, a miniature smooth dachshund, who suffered with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe event was inspired by Lauras dog Percy, a miniature smooth dachshund, who suffered with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

Roughly 500 dachshunds travelled from across the country to take part in the walk, aiming to smash the world record for the greatest number of sausage dogs ever gathered on a beach.

The popular walk, founded by Laura Baggott, returned for the fifth time at midday on Saturday, March 30, with all proceeds going to Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD, a charity caring for sausage dogs in crisis.

East Anglian Daily Times: All proceeds went to Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD, a charity caring for sausage dogs in crisis Picture: RACHEL EDGEAll proceeds went to Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD, a charity caring for sausage dogs in crisis Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

Known as the Southwold Sausage Walk, the event was inspired by Laura’s dog Percy, a miniature smooth dachshund, who suffered with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) – the most common health problem for dachshunds in the UK.

“The reason we do these walks is to raise money for a charity called Dedicated to Dachshunds with IVDD,” Ms Baggott said.

East Anglian Daily Times: The idea was to have a break from Brexit by getting lots of people together for a bumper walk with like-minded dog lovers Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe idea was to have a break from Brexit by getting lots of people together for a bumper walk with like-minded dog lovers Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

“Percy went through IVDD in June. IVDD is actually a disc disease which left Percy partially paralysed – he had to learn to walk again.

“That charity gave us a stroller so Percy could enjoy his adventures. He can still walk but he would have never managed walking from the harbour to the pier today on his own without his stroller. So we’re very grateful for that charity and all they do for us.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Dachshunds travelled from across the country to take part Picture: RACHEL EDGEDachshunds travelled from across the country to take part Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

Speaking about her love for dachshunds, she added: “They’ve got lovely personalities – they’re very funny. They’re a big dog in a little body.”

While the sausages didn’t quite break the world record as hoped, sponsor Stuart McBurney, director of Filing Fortress, said it was still a “brilliant” day.

East Anglian Daily Times: The team even managed to bag two tickets to Britains Got Talent from no other than Declan Donnelly, one half of the TV partnership Ant and Dec Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe team even managed to bag two tickets to Britains Got Talent from no other than Declan Donnelly, one half of the TV partnership Ant and Dec Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

He said the idea was to “have a break from Brexit” by getting lots of people together for a bumper walk with like-minded dog lovers.

“We are attempting to break the world record for sausage dogs on a beach, and just basically have a break from Brexit,” he said.

East Anglian Daily Times: Sausage dogs travelled from Manchester, Birmingham, Kent, and Wales Picture: RACHEL EDGESausage dogs travelled from Manchester, Birmingham, Kent, and Wales Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

“We have actually brought people from all over the UK, so there’s people from Manchester, from Birmingham, from Kent, from Wales.”

He said breaking the record was “really not important” with all things considered – as the event raised lots of money for a worthy cause, and everyone from mums and dads to children and grandparents had a “brilliant time”.

East Anglian Daily Times: More than 500 sausage dogs turned up for the bumper walk in Southwold Picture: RACHEL EDGEMore than 500 sausage dogs turned up for the bumper walk in Southwold Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

“Everyone just got out and really embraced it, and we had the weather on our side as well,” he added.

Mr McBurney said the event’s sponsors, including Suffolk-based pet food manufacturer Skinner’s, were “fantastic” – with the team even managing to bag two tickets to Britain’s Got Talent from no other than Declan Donnelly, one half of the TV partnership Ant and Dec.

East Anglian Daily Times: The dogs walked from the harbour to the pier on Southwold beach Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe dogs walked from the harbour to the pier on Southwold beach Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

The Sausage Walk departed from the Lifeboat Shed at noon, and the dachshunds, their human companions, and walkers took the scenic walk along the beach to Southwold pier.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Southwold Sausage Walk returned for its fifth event on Saturday Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe Southwold Sausage Walk returned for its fifth event on Saturday Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: Dachshunds turned up from far and wide for the record-breaking attempt Picture: RACHEL EDGEDachshunds turned up from far and wide for the record-breaking attempt Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: Dachshunds flocked to Southwold for the fifth bumper sausage walk Picture: RACHEL EDGEDachshunds flocked to Southwold for the fifth bumper sausage walk Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: Stuart McBurney, director of Filing Fortress, said it was a brilliant day Picture: RACHEL EDGEStuart McBurney, director of Filing Fortress, said it was a brilliant day Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: Sadly, the sausages didn't quite break the world record Picture: RACHEL EDGESadly, the sausages didn't quite break the world record Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: It was a day to remember for sausage dogs across Suffolk and beyond Picture: RACHEL EDGEIt was a day to remember for sausage dogs across Suffolk and beyond Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: The event was held in aid of sausage dogs with IVDD Picture: RACHEL EDGEThe event was held in aid of sausage dogs with IVDD Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)

East Anglian Daily Times: Mr McBurney said the events sponsors, including Suffolk-based pet food manufacturer Skinners, were fantastic Picture: RACHEL EDGEMr McBurney said the events sponsors, including Suffolk-based pet food manufacturer Skinners, were fantastic Picture: RACHEL EDGE (Image: Rachel Edge)