The crowd is roaring. Speed. Hearts are pounding. I am Speed. Every second is bringing us closer to history. One winner. Forty-two losers. I eat losers for breakfast.
We’re not just quoting the opening scene of the 2006 hit Pixar film, Cars. No, we’re narrating what (probably) goes through one wiener dog’s head as he stands in the starting box at Wiener Nationals.
The Miniature Dachshund Taking Wiener Dog Racing by Storm
When you think of competitive dog sports, you might think of Agility or Dock Diving - but there’s one that might fall short of our traditional line of thought. For Paula Boxie and her three-year-old miniature dachshund, Forest, Wiener Dog Racing has become a serious sport. And they’ve been taking the competition by storm.
Based in San Antonio, Texas, Paula, Forest, and Forest’s 3 wiener dog siblings (Chula, Birdie, and Gumbo) have spent the last 3 years training, traveling, and winning. Forest has quickly made a name for himself on the track.
From First Race to Win #88 and Counting
Forest’s racing career started young, and he wasted no time going for gold.
“Forest and I began competing when he was 9 months old! He won his first race and we continued to compete and win from there on,” says Paula.
Over the last three years since getting involved, Paula has watched the sport grow into more than just a fun day on the track. It’s a competitive game. “Wiener dog racing has become such a phenomenon over the last couple years,” she says.
While it looks like a simple sprint down a track from the sidelines, wiener dog racing actually requires plenty of preparation, dedication, and a dog who is ready to give it everything when the gate opens. Forest? He is that dog.
Since his first win as just a puppy, he has a growing list of big achievements. Forest was 2025 Starkville Derby Champion, the 2026 Retama Park Champion, and he has more than 88 career wins under his collar.
Training Like an Athlete
While he might be small, Forest is on a workout regimen that puts most of us humans to shame. His training and maintenance keep him ready for every race, and Paula takes it seriously.
“Forest is on a very detailed workout schedule,” she shares. Daily treadmill sessions, canine conditioning sessions 5 times a week, and bi-weekly acupuncture are just some important aspects of his routine.
It’s serious business, and it doesn’t stop there. Race day preparation starts well before Forest ever hits the track. A light breakfast to make sure he has the fuel he needs, followed by a session on a PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy) mat to help get his muscles ready for competition.
“Forest has always loved racing, he gets so hyped when it’s go time.”
Ready, Set, Race
For anyone watching Forest fly down the track and thinking their own dog might be ready to give racing a try, Paula has some simple advice:
“Practice makes perfect. Teaching your dog that getting to you is a reward makes a big difference!” she says. Forest gets fired up and ready to run thanks to freeze dried treats and his favorite toy, a squirrel pelt.
If you’ve never seen a wiener dog race, it’s more than just dogs running down a track to their handlers. “It’s a sport, very competitive, and full of excitement!” Paula says. “It’s a must-watch if you end up having an event near you!”
Off the Track
When Forest isn’t racing, he’s still keeping busy. Alongside his miniature dachshund siblings, Forest spends his time hiking, swimming, and playing outdoors.
Firm believers that small dogs can do anything big dogs can do, Forest and his crew stay protected on the trails, in the water, during training, and traveling by rocking their Rex Specs Dog Goggles. Being so close to the ground means being closer to sticks, brush, dirt, and more. For Forest, protecting his eyes means keeping them on the prize.
Racing isn’t the only sport Forest and Paula get into together, either. “He’s super smart, and has quite the knack for Barn Hunt,” she says. “We hope to start competing in FastCAT competitively next year!”
More Than Just A Race
Because Forest is a natural on the track, it would be easy for competition to become all about the results. But Paula always remembers the bigger picture.
“Forest has taught me to always stay humble, and even though we do win a lot, it’s always about going out there and having fun,” she says.
Three years of traveling and competing together have shaped a close knit relationship between the two. “We’ve grown such an incredible bond together. He gets me and I get him.”
And that’s what it’s all about. The connection between dog and handler is part of what makes dog sports so rewarding. Ribbons and rewards are exciting, but walking off the track with a dog you love is the real prize.
The Future is Fast
For Paula and Forest, there are still plenty of finish lines left to cross. The goal is to race in all 50 states, and snag a win at Wiener Nationals in California, where he competed earlier this summer.
A 9 month old puppy that won his first race is now a multi-time champion with more than 88 career wins. Forest has proven that big things can come in a very small package.