A family adopts a dachshund from the shelter. Before long they enter her into wiener dog races and learn their dog’s heritage as well as the integrity of the races. Starring Jason London, Julian Feder, Alicia Witt, Morgan Fairchild
I’ll admit the only reason I watched this movie was because it was about dachshunds. I wish I hadn’t. This film would be great for young kids but tedious for adults. I couldn’t wait for it to end. I felt bad for Jason London, who was too good of an actor for this role and it showed. He looked out-of-place and looked like he felt out-of-place. Morgan Fairchild, however, looked more comfortable in her role. I was also very surprised that the children were open to a romantic interest for their dad when their mother must have just died. I believe that was hinted at when the father lost his job. Hence, if you love dogs I would say see it but if you are an adult only watch for the dachshunds.
Phil (Jason London), has lost his wife and is doing the best he can to raise his three kids — Skip (Austin Anderson), Bridget (Caitlin Carmichael), and Danny (Julian Feder). After Danny comes across a picture of his mom from when she was a kid with her pet Dachshund that she used raced, he decides that he wants a wiener of his own for his birthday. They find Shelly (credited on IMDB to Mila Miesner —but played by four other dogs in the movie — used in real life wiener dog racing promotion material) at an adoption event. This is much to the chagrin of Ms. Merryweather (Morgan Fairchild), who wanted to find Shelly for her own winnings, even though her own dog Princess (Lana LaVigne) is a champion as well. Now Ms. Merryweather will do anything it takes to keep Shelly from winning the nationals, even if it means using the flirting between Phil and Melanie (Alicia Witt), who works in the racing circuit.