VILNA, Lithuania (AP) — Speed isn’t the only highlight when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating these small dogs. Besides racing, there’s a costume parade, a ‘best nose’ test, and — naturally — the loudest bark competition.
The fifth Vilnius Corgi Race on Saturday attracted dogs and their owners to Vingis Park in Lithuania’s capital. Organizers stated this was the largest edition yet. Competitors arrived from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States, and the United Kingdom, a country closely associated with the breed, famously favored by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Organizer Edvinas Miskas highlighted the growth of the event: “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 breed’s origin.” He added, “We call Vilnius the European capital of corgis, and when people from the breed’s homeland start visiting us instead of the other way around, that title becomes more meaningful.”
Ninety-four dogs took part in the main racing event, competing in qualifiers, semifinals, and the final. In the final, where corgis raced over 25 meters (82 feet), the American competitor GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog, claimed victory. Another participant from the U.S., Mr. Corgington, closely followed in second place. Lithuanian Moka, a two-time champion, secured third.
Much of the program focused on other skills besides speed. There was a costume parade featuring 38 corgis in diverse outfits, including a dinosaur suit, a dress, and sportswear. Amigo impressed both the panel of four judges and the public vote on Facebook with his impeccable knight-like appearance.
In the ‘best nose’ challenge, dogs sniffed out hidden prizes. Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared this award. The barking contest added fun, with Duke, a 12-year-old pembroke welsh corgi from Sedbergh in northwest England, having trained for it over his lifetime, according to his owner. However, it was Mr. Corgington who won the loudest bark competition.
As one of the most-traveled competitors, Mr. Corgington found a chance to outdo GG in the final race after finishing second behind her in a significant race at Emerald Downs, Auburn, Washington, marking her second consecutive victory there.
Half of this year’s Vilnius entrants were first-time participants. However, six veterans — the costume winner Amigo, along with Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas — have attended every edition.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with assistance from a generative AI tool.
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