Sausage Walk Italia (Latina leg)

A walk as long as Italy

Sausage Walk Italia is a national initiative that gathers dachshund owners in dozens of Italian squares on the same day at the same time. The organizers jokingly call it "the longest walk in the world, from the North to the South of the Boot": it is not a race, but a social gathering that turns online friendships into real-life meetings, with dogs and families finally meeting in person. Starting in 2026, this network of simultaneous walks includes Latina, in the heart of the Pontine Plain, in the province of Latina, Lazio.

The Latina leg

The Pontine leg takes place within the city's urban fabric, meeting at Campo CONI before setting off. As in all other participating locations, the route is designed together with the local representative—the organizers call them "Alfieri" (Standard-bearers)—and agreed upon with municipal authorities to avoid heavy traffic and ensure a safe, short route suitable for the short legs of dachshunds. Along the way, there are planned stops for group photos at the city's landmarks and a final social moment for participants.

Latina is a city well-suited to this format: built during the reclamation of the Agro Pontino in the 1930s, it features a regular urban layout, wide avenues, and ample green spaces that make group walking with dogs on leashes easy. The choice to hold the meeting earlier than in other Italian cities stems from the need to coordinate with other local sporting events scheduled for the same morning.

Who is behind the event

Sausage Walk Italia is coordinated by Davide Branda and Paola Monguzzi, who maintain contact with the representatives of each individual leg. The initiative is linked to Bassotti… e poi più ODV, a volunteer association that handles the rescue, care, and fostering of dachshunds, including those with disabilities or behavioral issues. There are no registration fees: those who wish to contribute can purchase the event's official kit, which changes its theme every year. For the 2026 edition, the kit centers around a bow tie dedicated to the colors of peace, accompanied by bandanas, t-shirts, and medals; 3 euros from every kit sold go to support the dachshunds of Rescue BPP.

Who is it for

• Dachshund owners of every variety — smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired, standard, miniature, or kaninchen
• Dogs of other sizes: the route is calibrated for dachshunds, but the event is open to all dogs on a leash
• Families and children, for a morning in the open air without any competitive pressure
• Curious onlookers and photographers, drawn by the sight of dozens of dachshunds parading together through the city streets

A growing phenomenon

The formula of a simultaneous national walk has taken off very quickly. The first synchronized edition on an Italian scale, in March 2025, involved 23 cities; the following year, the participating locations rose to over thirty-five, from Liguria to Sardinia, with the addition of a leg in the Canton of Ticino. The inclusion of Latina is part of this expansion, which has brought the event to various provincial capitals in Lazio and Central Italy.

Participants describe a relaxed and playful atmosphere: no rankings, no stopwatches, just a long procession of low, elongated dogs moving with their unmistakable gait, amidst the smiles of passersby. It is also an opportunity to talk about responsible adoption and animal welfare, themes that the promoting association champions all year round.