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Last week it was the Christmas Day Swim , today more than 500 dachshunds gathered with their owners for a mass walk along the sand at Porthcawl.

Some travelled hundreds of miles with their owners from across England and Wales to take part in the first ever Porthcawl Sausage Dog Walk.

Related:Stray dogs get Christmas dinner

First ever Porthcawl Sausage dog Walk a huge success

They came from as far as Mansfield, Rotherham and Swindon, some in Christmas fancy dress, others sporting smart winter coats, and all wagging their tails as they met on Coney Beach for what organisers believe was the biggest ever gathering of dachshunds in Wales.

“I’m amazed by how many came. It just went haywire when we put it on Facebook,” said organiser Charlotte Baldwin.

“We posted it out three weeks ago and I’m just amazed by how it took off. This might be a record I think.”

Related:National Dog Day - your pictures of your best friend

Dachshunds came from far and wide

The 45-year-old dachshund-lover, from Talbot Green , has organised three previous sausage dog walks around Wales, but they were not promoted on Facebook and only attracted around 20 dogs.

Related:Hundreds of pugs gather in Cardiff for Pug Fest

“They are such lovely little dogs with big characters. This shows how popular they are,” said Charlotte, owner of dachshunds Barney and Rosie.

Co-organiser Samantha Buca brought along her three sausage dogs Betty-Lou, Charger and Rosco festively dressed as a penguin, Rudolf and Santa.

“It’s lovely seeing a sea of dachshunds by the sea. They are so cute,” she said.

“I didn’t realise there were so many sausage dogs in Wales.”

The wedding dress designer, who runs Pink Butterfly Bride in Bridgend, now wants to organise another summer event. l

“I’ve met people today who have come with their dogs from as far as Birmingham.”

Related:Dogs celebrate Christmas with their own party

Paramedic Beverley James, from Aberdare , came off a 13-hour shift to join the walk with her six-year-old dachshund Mortimer.

“It’s an 80-mile round drive and I’m glad I came. The walk has been really good. Mortimer loved it. I can’t believe how many people came and from how far.

Small dogs with big characters

Related: Look at these adorable dogs in Christmas jumpers

“I spoke to people from Pembrokeshire,West Wales and Cardiff .”

Photographer Imogen Skey came to the walk with parents Gareth and Debra and their sausage dogs William, Reggie and Boudicea.

“It was quite strange seeing so many sausage dogs together. It’s amazing,” she said.

Related:First look at new Dogs Trust centre in Cardiff

Morriston Hospital medic Kirsten Williams drove from Swansea with her dachshund Dudley and said the chill wind hadn’t put people off the hour-long seaside stroll towards Newton.

'I've never seen so many sausage dogs in one place'

“It’s quite a spectacle. I’ve never seen so many sausage dogs in one place,” she said.

“People have come from far and wide from Nottingham and Pembrokeshire. Dudley is having a blast.”

Posting on Facebook, Dave Shaw, from Swindon, said: “Me and my daughter Emma looking forward to being part of this “Sausage Extravaganza” in just a few hours time.

Future events planned

“If you know me, come and say hello, as I’m sure I won’t recognise you from your profile pictures on a Welsh windswept beach.”

Naomi Brown, from Mansfield, posted: “Frank is super excited to start our epic journey to meet you all!! Only three and a half hours to go and that’s without any stops. Will definitely be ready to stretch our legs when we see you all.”

The success of the event has inspired organisers to run similar events in future.