Walking through Hoboken and Jersey City offers a glimpse of New Jersey’s vibrant dog community. With a variety of breeds parading along Washington Street, it’s easy to get lost in the charm of each passing pup. Amid this lively scene, a local group has emerged to create a special space for small dog owners and their pets to bond and socialize. Discover the NJ Wiener Club and learn how you can join their local meetups.
Humble Beginnings
The NJ Wiener Club was founded by three dedicated dog moms in Downtown Jersey City. Their friendship blossomed through their mutual love for Dachshunds. After numerous encounters at dog parks and neighborhood walks, they began coordinating meetups for their wiener dogs. Thus, the NJ Wiener Club was born.
Speaking to The Hoboken Girl, the founders shared how they noticed their dogs becoming more confident and social around each other. As they encountered more Dachshunds in the area, it became clear that these dogs had a natural affinity for their own kind. One wiener dog friend turned into several, and soon, a network of Dachshund owners was formed. “We knew we needed to find a way to bring them all together,” the founders, affectionately known as the “Ween Team,” told HG. Not only did the dogs benefit, but the owners also forged new friendships.
Growing the Community
The founders began collecting contact information from Dachshund owners across Northern New Jersey. They aimed to create a safe environment where small dogs could play freely with others their size. Despite designated areas for small and large dogs in many parks, the Ween Team noted that these rules were often ignored, leading to unpleasant experiences for their pets.
Each month, the NJ Wiener Club announces several meetups on its Instagram page, choosing different locations around Jersey City to avoid overcrowding and to respect other dog owners. Popular meetup spots include Hamilton Park, Washington Park, Liberty State Park, and even local establishments like Zeppelin Hall. The club alternates between on-leash and off-leash events to cater to the various comfort levels of the dogs, whether they are social, shy, young, or old. Seasonal events, such as a Halloween costume contest or an Oktoberfest wiener dog race, add to the fun.
Thriving Together
The Ween Team observed that Dachshunds flourish in the presence of their own breed. They explained to HG that the meetups provide a safe and welcoming space for these dogs to interact. “We’ve heard countless times from members that they rarely took their Dachshund to the park before finding our club because they felt it wasn’t safe or hard for their dog to find friends of a similar size to play with,” the group shared.
The club also serves as a valuable resource for dog parents, facilitating exchanges of veterinarian referrals, dog sitter recommendations, and fostering meaningful relationships. “We wanted to share the opportunity for Dachshund owners to make amazing friends and find meaningful connections the way our club founders did!” they told HG.
As the NJ Wiener Club continues to grow, they hope to extend their meetups to Hoboken. To stay updated on their events, follow the NJ Wiener Club on Instagram and keep an eye out for their monthly calendar.
