Hundred Fifty Corgis Raced Internationally to Honor These Small Dogs

Hundred Fifty corgis met for an international race honoring the little canines, and it’s much more than just short-legged speed. There’s a costume parade, the “smartest nose,” and, of course, the most bark.

The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius attracted dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park on Saturday for what organizers described as the largest edition yet. Competitors came from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Britain, which is most closely identified with the breed and was a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II adored corgis since she grew up with them when her father brought the breed into the royal family in 1933. She admired their colorful and feisty personalities, intelligence, and independence, forging a lasting friendship that lasted decades.

“In the first year, we collected 40 corgis from a single city. This year, there are 150 participants from nine nations, and for the first time, we have a participant from the origin of the breed,” stated organizer Edvinas Miskas.

“We call Vilnius the European capital of corgis, and when people from the breed’s homeland start coming to us rather than the other way around, that title begins to sound a little more serious.”

Ninety-four dogs competed in the main running event, including qualifying, semifinals, and the final.

In the final, which pitted corgis against each other over 25 meters (82 ft), American contender GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog, emerged victorious. Mr. Corgington, another American participant, came in a close second place. Moka, Lithuania’s two-time past champion, finished third. However, most of the training emphasized the dogs’ and their owners’ other skills over speed.

A costume parade featured 38 corgis dressed in various attire, including a dinosaur suit, a frock, and doggie sports gear. Amigo won both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook voting for her perfect costume submission with a knight-like appearance.

The “smartest nose” contest involved canines searching for hidden rewards. Tora and Rusty, Latvian corgis, split the victory. Then there was the loudest barking competition. The first British contestant, 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from Sedbergh in northwest England, did not compete in the main race due to his advanced age, but he was a contender in the barking categories after, as his owner described it, “training his entire life.”

However, Mr. Corgington emerged victorious in the loudest barking battle. He was a well-traveled competitor. The final race provided him a rematch after he finished second to GG in a major race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, where she had won twice in a row.

Half of the corgis registered in Vilnius this year took part for the first time. However, six veterans, costume winner Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas, have attended every edition.

Content contributed by Liudas Dapkus, reported from Vilnius, Lithuania, sourced by AP