A good hotdog is not defined by its size, ingredients or convenience. It's a creative personal expression of rapturous possibilities far beyond mere tubular meat.

Frankfurter
All-beef, all-pork or mixed beef and pork. Try: PC Street Dog All Beef Frankfurters

Halal
Chicken. Try: Maple Lodge Farms Zabiha Halal Chicken Wiener

Wiener
Pork and spices. Try: Schneiders Country Naturals Wieners

Meatless
Soy protein. Try: Yves Veggie Cuisine Hot n' Spicy Chili Veggie Dogs

Alternative
Turkey, chicken or meat blend with cheese. Try: Schneiders Grill'ems Cheddar

Low sodium
Pork, chicken or beef blend. Try: Maple Leaf Top Dogs Less Salt Wiener

• Grill over high heat using tongs, never a fork, to avoid losing juices

• Parboil before grilling for moist interior and crisp blackened exterior

• Lightly coat pan with vegetable oil. Sauté until crispy on the outside

• Boil quickly until heated through

• Cut shallow diagonal slits in dogs, simmer in barbecue sauce

• Split dogs, stuff with cheese, wrap in dough and bake

The Maui Wowee: Pork dog, chopped mango, banana, papaya, Vidalia onion

The Tree Hugger: Veggie dog, chopped heirloom tomato, sautéed mushrooms, vegan mayo

The Reclining Caesar: Chicken dog, grilled romaine hearts, caesar dressing, grated Parmesan

The Mumbai Mambo: Veggie dog, dal, red-onion raita

The Big Apple Slammer: All-beef dog, French-style mustard, drained sauerkraut, chopped apple

Vegetarian dog
60 cal. Try: Yves Veggie Cuisine Tofu Dogs

Chicken dog
80 cal. Try: Maple Lodge Farms Original Chicken Wiener

Beef Frank
90 cal. Try: Shopsy's Deli-Fresh All Beef Frankfurters

Wiener
90 cal. Try: Schneiders Lifestyle Wieners

Turkey dog
80 cal. Try: Butterball Premium Turkey Franks

Frankfurter
130 cal. Try: PC Blue Menu Original Frankfurters

Circa 850 BC
"Sausage" makes novel debut in Homer's Odyssey

Circa 1690
A German butcher, calling his small sausages "dachshunds," later promotes his new product successfully in Frankfurt

2005
Vancouver's Japadog carts offer unique toppings such as seaweed, wasabi mayo and grated daikon

2011
The record for the world's longest hotdog, measuring 203.8 metres, is set in Paraguay

Illustrations, iStockphoto.com.