Doxie Dash

Join us at the Des Moines Buccaneers’ final regular-season game against the Sioux City Musketeers! Bring your doxie along to watch—and for their chance to compete against other local four-legged weenies on the ice.

During the first intermission, the Bucs and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa will once again host “wiener dog” racing in Des Moines! Dachshund owners can enter their pups in the race for a chance to win prizes and help raise funds for animals in need. After the race, stick around to enjoy the rest of the game from the dogs-only section of the rink!

PLUS — NEW this year: all dogs are welcome! Don’t have a doxie? No problem! You and your pup—of any breed—can still join us in the stands to cheer on the Bucs and our Doxie Dashers.

This year, you can support the animals in our care in two ways: the ARL Raffle and the Chuck-A-Puck competition. Stop by the ARL check-in table to enter the raffle for a chance to win fun prizes and sign up for Chuck-A-Puck at the Box Office — all proceeds from both go directly back to helping homeless animals in need.

• Enter in the main North entrance doors of The RecPlex
• Check-In for ALL dog owners will be at the ARL booth opposite main North doors
  • ALL DOGS MUST SIGN THE DOG WAIVER
• Doors open at 5:05 p.m.
• Puck drops at 6:05 p.m.
• Doxies race during the first intermission
• Owners and their dogs will be seated in a “dogs only” section (101 and 107) allowing your pet to watch the game with you
• Dogs must be on leash at all times when off the ice
• Owners are allowed to bring food for their dogs into the stands. However, no outside “human” food is permitted
• Dogs must be up-to-date on all vaccinations and be at least six months old
• No female dogs in heat
• A quiet room will be provided for before the race and throughout the game. Dogs must be accompanied by their owners at all times.
• Participants will be allowed to take their pets outside for restroom breaks. Participants are responsible for picking up and throwing away any pet waste.
• The Buccaneers and Animal Rescue League reserve the right to prevent any dog (or human) from participating.

• Race is open to dachshunds (wiener dogs) and dachshund mixes only.
• Tickets are sold in increments of two (this includes two human tickets and one dog ticket)
• Participants will be asked to arrive at the arena between 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm at the North entrance of The RecPlex where you will be given instructions for the race as well as your race heat number
• For the race:
  • One human will be at the starting line at one end of the rink with their dog and the other one human will be opposite them at the half line
  • When the start of the race is called, dogs will be released and run from their human at the start line to their human at the half line
  • The first to cross the “finish line” wins!
• Dogs must be on leash at all times when off the ice
• Participants are allowed to bring props such as treats, chew toys, balls, etc. for the race on the ice. However, no outside “human” food is permitted
• The Buccaneers and Animal Rescue League reserve the right to prevent any dog (or human) from participating

Fine print:

We welcome friendly dogs of all sizes and breeds and their responsible owners. For the safety of your dog and others, female dogs should not be in heat and please check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is up to date on all of its vaccinations. Dogs must be leashed and under control of their owner at all times. No retractable leashes, choke chains, or prong collars are allowed. To learn more about our policy on correction collars, visit this link.

The ARL adheres to a no-refund, no-credit policy. Once registered, if you are unable to attend, please consider your payment a tax-deductible donation. Tickets are non-refundable. 

Disclaimer: 

By entering an event or program of the ARL, you are entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. Your entry and presence on the event premises constitutes your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded which may be used for purposes connected to the ARL and its initiatives. Click here for more information.