Oscar brings 'Wiener National' winner title to Arizona | People

Local dachshund Oscar makes good on his early regional triumph by winning the 2012 Weiner Nationals in San Diego. 

Oscar, a dachshund owned by Tyson and Jillian Rondeau, a Phoenix couple, won the regional portion of the Wiener Nationals here in Tucson.  He went on to even bigger fame, by winning the Nationals in San Diego shortly before Christmas. 

It just sort of happened that Oscar and his humans got into the racing game, simply being in the right place at the right time.  His humans saw a charity event in Phoenix where they were holding a ‘wiener’ dog fundraising race, and then heard about the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals.  They entered Oscar and a racing hound was born. 

There are no tricks to getting this dashing dachshund to run, just show Oscar his racquetball and he goes crazy, this is according to Tyson, one of his humans.  “With the ball in sight, his speed and energy are unstoppable,” said Tyson. 

Winning was not really on Tyson’s or Jillian’s minds, both commented it was fun just to participate.  Competition was fierce and many owners took pride in training their dogs to run, the racquetball trick seemed to work for Oscar. 

For all those race fans out there, don’t worry, Oscar will be making a run to defend his title again this year.  His human’s have entered him in the 2013 Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals later this month. 

“Oscar’s win and fame has really made us proud. His ferocious speed and talent is remarkable,” said Tyson. “Win or lose, he is always a ‘Top Dog’.”

For winning the 17th Annual Wiener Nationals, Oscar and his humans earned a $1,000 grand prize, got to ride on top of the Wienerschnitzel float in the Holiday Bowl parade and were honored on the Holiday Bowl field during halftime. Other goodies included a heated bone-shaped dog bed, doggie pastries and a dachshund-inspired trophy.