Mystery solved! This is why the dachshund day is a Zoetermeer event

Ten years ago was the first dachshund day in Zoetermeer. A unique event because so many dachshunds together, you don’t see that anywhere else in the Netherlands. Why is the Dutch Dachshund Day in our city?

In 2012, ‘only’ 50 dachshunds came to the first edition of the dachshund day in the Dorpsstraat. In the meantime, the number has grown to more than 1,000 dachshunds: “It’s an event that got out of hand,” says organizer Patricia Tjepkema of ‘t Dierenparadijs.

Photo shoot or craft afternoon

The solution to this mystery begins with 17-year-old intern Brandon, who studied animal care. During his internship at ‘t Dierenparadijs, he had to organize an event as an internship assignment. That could be a photo shoot with pets or a craft afternoon for children. But Brandon had a completely different idea.

In consultation with owner Patricia, he wanted to organize a special day for dachshunds and their owners. “From the store I know that there are a lot of dachshunds living in Zoetermeer. An event for one dog species seemed like a good idea to me. We approached some dog breeders and invited some pet food and we invited acquaintances. That day there were about fifty dachshunds in and around our store,” says Patricia.

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From all over the world

Word of this event spread over the years through social media and dog owners. Visitors come from all kinds of countries, such as Germany, England, Belgium, Spain and America. “Every year, four ladies travel from England with their dachshunds,” says Patricia. The event expanded to the entire Dorpsstraat with stalls, a walk, a group photo, a picnic, photo sessions and special ice cream and beer for dachshunds.

Not all Zoetermeer residents know it yet

In her pet shop, Patricia sometimes meets Zoetermeers with a dachshund who are not familiar with the event at all. “I’m really surprised about that,” says Patricia. “After ten editions, I assumed that most dachshund owners in our city are familiar with this Zoetermeer event. But that is not the case.” Patricia has noticed that more and more companies are contacting her for a collaboration. “I recently received a call from a hotel chain with the idea of ​​offering a discount for Dachshund owners when staying overnight. They were so often asked by people outside the city if a dog was allowed in the room that they wondered what was going on. With the necessary research, they arrived at the dachshund day.”

Also spotted a mystery?

Another mystery solved! Do you also have a question about Zoetermeer? Perhaps you are curious about the meaning of a work of art, a street name or why a road is closed? indebuurt is looking into it! Mail your mystery to [email protected]