5 Restaurants.
5 Original Wild Dogs.
60 Days.
Who Did It Best?
Orlando’s 60-Day Hot Dog Challenge
The Wild Dog Trail
The Wild Dog Trail is a 60-day community food challenge presented by Wild Heart Haven, with support from Wild Heart Foundation.
Five Orlando-area restaurants will each create one original hot dog for the competition. Throughout the Trail, the community will be invited to visit the participating locations, try the Wild Dogs, follow the competition, vote for their favorites, and help crown the inaugural Wild Dog Trail Champion.
At least $2 from every official Wild Dog sold will support Wild Heart Haven and help sustain the work behind our mission.
How It Works
Eat a Wild Dog.
Help a Real Dog.
The Wild Dog Trail is designed to make supporting dogs in need something fun, local, and easy to be part of.
Every official Wild Dog sold will generate at least $2 for Wild Heart Haven, helping provide flexible operational support for the work, programs, partnerships, rescue efforts, and community initiatives behind our mission.
Different Wild Dogs. One mission.
Each participating restaurant will create one original Wild Dog for the competition.
Every restaurant starts with the same basic canvas — a hot dog — but what they do with it is entirely their own.
Bold. Classic. Spicy. Over-the-top. Chef-driven. Unexpected.
Throughout the 60-day challenge, the public will be encouraged to:
Visit the participating restaurants
Try the different Wild Dogs
Follow the competition
Vote for their favorites
Track the standings
Help support dogs with every purchase
Who Should Compete?
We are currently selecting the five inaugural Wild Dog Trail competitors.
Know a local restaurant, brewery, hot dog spot, neighborhood favorite, or chef-driven concept that should take on the challenge?
Tag them. Tell them. Nominate them.
Restaurants may also nominate themselves.
Only five competitors will be selected for the inaugural Trail.
Interested in Competing?
The Wild Dog Trail is designed to be a collaborative community campaign, not simply another fundraiser.
Participating restaurants will receive campaign promotion, branded marketing materials, social media exposure, inclusion in Wild Heart Haven’s Trail content, and the opportunity to compete in a highly visible local food challenge.
Participating restaurants will be expected to:
Create one original Wild Dog
Offer it throughout the 60-day campaign
Contribute at least $2 from every Wild Dog sold
Report Wild Dog sales every Tuesday
Promote their participation
Display official Wild Dog Trail materials
Follow the official competition rules
Final Wild Dog names, recipes, descriptions, prices, and contribution amounts must be submitted by
October 7, 2026.
Only five restaurants will be selected for the inaugural Wild Dog Trail.
The Competition
The inaugural Wild Dog Trail will feature several awards recognizing different kinds of success.
Wild Dog Trail Champion
The overall winner of the competition.
People’s Choice
The Wild Dog receiving the most valid public votes.
Pack Leader
The restaurant that sells the most Wild Dogs during the 60-day campaign.
Top Dog Fundraiser
The restaurant that contributes the most total dollars to Wild Heart Haven.
Wildest Dog
Recognition for the most creative Wild Dog entry.
Full voting, judging, and award details will be announced before the Trail begins.
This Is Just the Beginning
The Wild Dog Trail is being built now, and this page will become the central hub for everything that follows.
As the inaugural Trail comes together, this is where you’ll find the five participating restaurants, official Wild Dog reveals, Trail locations, voting information, standings, campaign updates, and final results.
Check back often, follow Wild Heart Haven, and get ready to hit the Trail.