Seppi Kublbeck (left) and Oliver Storz with their three dogs in front of their future museum dedicated to Dachshunds in the German city of Regensburg. Photos: dpa
Germany's museum of Dachshunds was a veritable temple of sausage dogs with hundreds of exhibits surrounding this beloved breed. Now it’s moving home and doubling in size.
The world’s very first museum dedicated to the Dachshund – sausage dog or weenie dog to some – is doubling up in size after relocating to a new city in Germany.
Regensburg – the Bavarian city that happens to also be a world capital of non-canine sausages – is now set to become a mecca to the world’s dachshund fans, with the biggest collection of sausage-dog paraphernalia on the planet.
After relocating to larger premises, the museum is now doubling its exhibition size from 2,500 to 5,000 small and large pieces on display, say owners Seppi Kublbeck and Oliver Storz. They want to open the new premises on its fifth anniversary on April 2.
The main attraction at the new location will probably be the museum’s own three Dachshunds. While Kublbeck and Storz show the rooms, the dog trio flits around wagging their tails and then snuggling up on a blanket.
The museum curators are moving from the southern German city of Passau after coming into difficulty with the city council, which opposed their use of a parasol in front of the museum.
“Being expelled from the site was the worst pain of my life,” Kublbeck said. But the anger is in now the past, the two say, looking forward to a bigger, better museum in Regensburg.
Despite everything, they find it hard to say goodbye to Passau, because the visitors, neighbours, business people and guides have always been very cordial to them.
Germany's museum of Dachshunds is a veritable temple with some 2,500 exhibits dedicated to the worship of sausage dogs.
Previously, the humorous and lovingly arranged museum has been focusing on curiosities and facts about the breed, showcasing the Dachshund both as a hunting dog and a family pet.
There are also exhibits touching on how it is a symbol for Bavarian charm. There are toy Dachshunds, plush Dachshunds, Dachshund-themed Christmas ornaments and even Dachshunds as Olympic mascots.
After the German Shepherd, the Dachshund is the country’s second most popular breed, and sausage-dog fandom can also be felt in the capital Berlin, where pet owners regularly meet in a Dachshund-themed bar in the trendy district of Neukolln.
Once the museum is up and running, it will be open daily from 10am to 4pm, except for Fridays. And not only can you bring your Dachshund, but Dachshunds get in for free. – dpa
