The fifth edition of the international Corgi race in Vilnius, held in Vingis Park, attracted 150 Corgi dogs and their owners from around the world. Although speed is not the main element of this event, it offers many entertainments, including costume contests, 'smartest nose,' and loudest bark competitions.
According to the organizers, this was the largest event to date. Participants included dogs from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, Czechia, the USA, and Great Britain, which is closely associated with this breed due to the preferences of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Ninety-four dogs participated in the main race, going through preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and the final. Organizer Edvinas Miskas told the Associated Press that in the first year, 40 Corgis gathered from one city, whereas this year 150 dogs from nine countries are participating, and for the first time, a participant from the breed's country of origin appeared.
Miskas continued that they consider Vilnius the European capital of Corgis, and the appearance of participants from the native country makes this title more significant.
In the final, where Corgis competed over a 25-meter distance, the American participant GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog, won. The second place went to another American participant, Mr. Corington, who narrowly edged out his rivals. Third place was taken by the Lithuanian Moka, a two-time champion of this competition.
A large part of the program moved away from the focus on speed to demonstrate other abilities of the dogs and their owners. A costume contest took place, in which 38 Corgis participated, dressed in dinosaur costumes, dresses, or sportswear. This category was won by a dog named Amigo in the voting by both the jury and the public via Facebook, thanks to its knight costume.
The search for hidden treats, called 'smartest nose,' ended in a tie between the Lithuanian participants Tora and Rasti.
For the North American participant Mr. Corington, there was also a loudest bark contest. Duke, a 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi from Sedbergh in Northwest England, was also a strong contender in this category. He did not participate in the main race due to his age, but his owner noted that he had been training for this his whole life.
Half of the Corgis registered in Vilnius this year participated for the first time, while six veterans—Amigo, Foxas, Foxis, Madeira, Bulka, and Dziugas—were present at all previous editions.
