Guinness World Records aren’t just about extraordinary sports or daring acts. Even walking dogs can turn into a competitive feat. Canadian dog lover, Mitchell Rudy, recently set a new record by walking 38 dogs simultaneously for one kilometre. This accomplishment surpassed the previous record of 36 dogs, which was held in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
https://twitter.com/GWR/status/1846960640725754050
A Joint Effort for a Good Cause
Rudy’s motivation wasn’t just to break the record. His effort was part of a collaborative campaign between BONK, a Canadian charity, and Korean K9 Rescue (KK9R) from South Korea. The dogs Rudy walked were all rescues awaiting adoption. He explained, “Some of these dogs come from puppy mills, while others are from areas where they were once part of the meat trade.”
Rescued Dogs and a Changing Culture
The rescue organizations, including KK9R, worked hard to rehabilitate these dogs. South Korea is gradually changing its stance on animal welfare, having recently passed legislation that will ban dog meat consumption by 2027. This campaign helps raise awareness of these rescue dogs’ plight and encourages adoption.
Training and Preparation
According to Gina Kim-Sadiku, Executive Director of KK9R, although there wasn’t much time for training, the dogs had a strong foundation. “We did not have a lot of time [to train them], but since our dogs had a strong foundation, we were able to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time,” she said.
Showcasing the Dogs as Champions
Rudy’s inspiration for the Guinness World Record attempt came from an adoption campaign. His goal was to give the 38 rescue dogs recognition as “the champions that they are,” in hopes of increasing their chances of finding a loving home. The dogs showed remarkable cooperation, staying under control throughout the walk, which was a key requirement for the record attempt.
