When 150 corgis came together for an international race in celebration of the small herding dogs that have their roots in Wales, it was more than just a showcase of short-legged speed.
The event featured a costume parade, a competition to find the dog with the “smartest nose,” and, of course, a contest to determine the loudest bark.
The fifth edition of the Corgi Race Vilnius took place at Vingis Park in the Lithuanian capital on Saturday, attracting dogs and their owners from various countries. It was declared the largest gathering by the organizers so far, with participants from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, the United States, and Britain, the nation closely associated with the breed, especially favored by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Organizer Edvinas Miskas highlighted the growth of the event, stating, “From an initial gathering of 40 corgis from one city in the first year, we now have 150 dogs from nine countries participating, including a representative from the breed’s place of origin for the first time. This has earned Vilnius the title of the European capital of corgis, and with participants from the breed’s homeland joining us, the significance of this title has increased.”
The main running event saw ninety-four dogs competing in qualifiers, semifinals, and the final race, where corgis raced over a distance of 25 meters. The victor was GG, an American competitor known as Gustave the Girl Dog.
Another U.S. contender, Mr. Corgington, secured the second position closely behind the winner. Lithuania’s Moka, a two-time former champion, claimed the third spot.
Despite the emphasis on speed in the race, much of the event was dedicated to exploring the talents of the dogs and their owners.
Mr. Corgington Emerges as the Loudest Barker
The costume parade featured 38 corgis dressed in a range of outfits, including a dinosaur costume, formal wear, and sports attire for dogs. Amigo stood out with a knight-themed costume, winning both the jury’s approval and the public vote on Facebook.
In the “smartest nose” challenge, corgis demonstrated their ability to locate hidden treats. The Latvian duo of Tora and Rusty shared the victory in this segment.
The competition also featured a segment to determine the loudest barker among the corgis.
While the 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from England did not take part in the main race due to age, he competed in the barking contest after extensive training. Mr. Corgington emerged as the winner of the loudest bark competition.
Among the participants, Mr. Corgington was one of the most well-traveled, having secured a rematch opportunity after finishing second to GG in a previous major race