MORE than 100 dachshund dogs ran, barked and scurried their way around a Bournemouth venue this weekend.

Pup Up Cafe stopped off in the town as part of their UK Christmas tour, joined by dog owners who were eager for their pets to mingle with like-minded furries.

Others who wanted to find a paw-fect puppy or just wanted a cuddle also popped in to cocktail bar Revolution, along Old Christchurch Road, on Saturday to visit the pets.

The business is run by Marcus Ackford, who said he attended one puppy cafe before and decided he could make a similar event better.

Marcus said: “There are 123 dachshunds here and we visit a different place every weekend.

“I love dachshunds and went to a similar event before, and realised I can make this so much better. Most people here want to buy a dachshund. We have the short hair dachshunds, the long hairs, all of them.”

Dachshunds of all ages filled the room, with some at just 12 weeks old and others as old as 14 years.

All guests received a goody bag on their exit, while their Christmas-jumper-wearing pets wagged their tails out the door.

Attendee and owner of three dachshunds, Mandy Benson-King, from Corfe Mullen, brought Bella, Sandy and Digby to the paw-filled event.

She said: “I lost my hearing when I was young but after a few operations, I became depressed and wouldn’t leave the house.

“They hear my alarm and bark for me. Sandy forced me to go out and interact with people.

“All sounds can be scary for me and I have no sense of direction, but knowing I have my dogs with me helps me.

“Sandy was a rescue dog, so I rescued her - but really, she rescued me.”

Another dog owner Emily George said: “The event is really good. Our Lolly is six months and it is our first time here.

“I will definitely come again when they do another event and would really recommend it.

“It just makes you happy.”

The dogs received unlimited dog treats and puppucinos, and had the time of their lives in ball pits, tunnels and with Christmas-themed toys.

Pup Up Cafe came to life earlier this year and aims to give the dogs time off the lead to enjoy themselves around other dachshunds.

After hosting its first event in Exeter, Marcus put on further doggy days in the south west including Plymouth and Taunton, and has travelled to Scotland and Cornwall.