FESSENDEN – Paco, a seven-month-old Dachshund belonging to Ivan Guerrero of Minot, was top dog in the Dachshund Dash wiener races at the Wells County Fairground in Fessenden Sunday.

Paco came out of the Cocktail Franks class for Dachshund puppies up to seven months old to finish as grand champion of all age division in the races. Reserve champion was Pistol, belonging to John Beck, Harvey, who advanced from the Frankfurters class for ages 8 months to two years.

Levi’s Dazzle Ira OP, owned by Aaron and Carrie Opdahl, Fessenden, won the Wienerschnitzels class for ages three to eight years.

The races drew 32 Dachshunds and eight other small breed dogs that competed in the Wiener Wannabes class. Entrants in the different classes came from Mandan/Bismarck, Wilton, Strasburg, Jud, Larimore, Warwick, Minot, Hurdsfield, Martin, Harvey, Selz and Fessenden.

The event was organized by the Wells County 4-H Explorers and parents. 40-H Explorer members are Harrison Lies, Porter Johnson, Zach LaPlant, Ryan Snively, Jaco van Tonder, Hannah Siel, Gabe Allmaras, Anna Copenhaver and Garin Opdahl.

The Explorers is a group within the Wells County 4-H organization that raises funds to make it possible for 4-H’ers to “explore” cultures and environments outside North Dakota. The group will be engaging in service projects as part of a trip to the Lead, South Dakota, area.

The Explorers plan to make an annual fundraiser of the Dachshund Dash and other activities held in conjunction with the races.