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Fast legs were not the only focus as 150 corgis gathered for an international event celebrating the breed. Beyond the track, festivities featured a costume parade, a scent challenge, and a competition for the loudest bark.
The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius brought dogs and owners to Vingis park in Lithuania‘s capital on Saturday for its largest event yet. Competitors arrived from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Britain—the nation most tied to the breed as favored by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“In the first year, we gathered 40 corgis from one city. This year, it’s 150 from nine countries, and for the first time we have a participant from the place where the breed originated,” organizer Edvinas Miskas said.
The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius brought dogs and owners to Vingis park in Lithuania’s capital on Saturday for its largest event yet (AP)
“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 tournament, racing through qualifiers, semifinals, and the final.
In the 25-meter (82-foot) final, victory went to American entrant GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog. US contender Mr. Corgington finished second, while Moka, a two-time former champion from Lithuania, took third.
Much of the schedule, however, set speed aside to highlight other canine skills.
A parade of 38 corgis featured outfits ranging from athletic wear to a dinosaur suit (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Amigo won both a four-member jury vote and a Facebook poll with a knight-themed costume (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
A parade of 38 corgis featured outfits ranging from athletic wear to a dinosaur suit. Amigo won both a four-member jury vote and a Facebook poll with a knight-themed costume.
Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared victory in the “smartest nose” test, locating concealed treats.
The loudest bark contest featured the first British contestant, 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from Sedbergh in northwest England. Duke skipped the main race due to his age, hoping to rely on what his owner described as a lifetime of vocal training.
While half the entries were first-timers in Vilnius, six veterans—Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas—have attended every edition (AFP/Getty)
Mr. Corgington ultimately claimed the loudest bark title.
As one of the most traveled contenders, the final gave him a rematch against GG after finishing second to her at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington—her second straight win there.
While half the entries were first-timers in Vilnius, six veterans—Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas—have attended every edition.