International Corgi Race in Vilnius Draws 150 Dogs From Nine Countries
The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew 150 dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis Park on Saturday for a day of international competition celebrating the short-legged breed, according to reports from the Associated Press and NBC News. The event featured competitors from nine countries, marking its biggest edition yet.
“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, as reported by the Associated Press. “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.”
International Turnout and Origin Representation
Participants traveled to Lithuania from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States, and Britain—the country most closely associated with the breed and famously favored by the late Queen Elizabeth II, according to the Associated Press. Half of the registered corgis attended the event for the first time, while six veteran dogs—Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas—have attended every edition.
Main Running Competition Results
Ninety-four dogs entered the main running event, moving through qualifiers and semifinals before reaching the final, as detailed by the Associated Press. The decisive race challenged the dogs to sprint across a 25-meter (82-foot) course.
American competitor GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog, won the final race. Fellow U.S. entrant Mr. Corgington secured second place, while Lithuania’s Moka—a two-time former champion—finished third, according to the Associated Press.
Costume, Barking, and Sniffing Contests
Beyond the track, the program tested other canine skills. Thirty-eight dogs entered a costume parade showcasing outfits including a dinosaur suit, a dress, and doggy sports gear. Amigo won both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook vote with a knight-like look, according to the Associated Press.
In the “smartest nose” challenge, contestants searched for hidden treats, resulting in a shared win for Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty. Meanwhile, the loudest bark competition featured 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke, the first British competitor. Duke skipped the running event due to his age but entered the barking contest after what his owner described as training for his whole life. Ultimately, Mr. Corgington won the loudest bark title, adding to a busy day that included a rematch with GG following a major race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington.