Vilnius Corgi Race Draws 150 Dogs From Nine Countries for Fifth Annual Event

The fifth edition of the Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park on Saturday, marking what organizers described as the biggest event yet for the international celebration of short-legged dogs.

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International Turnout and the European Capital of Corgis

Competitors travelled 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 known as a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Organizer Edvinas Miskas highlighted the growth of the gathering, noting that the event started with a modest local footprint before expanding across borders.

“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.”
Edvinas Miskas, organizer

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, he said.

The Main Racing Event Over Eighty-Two Feet

Out of the total registry, ninety-four dogs participated in the primary running competition, which progressed through qualifiers, semifinals, and a final heat over an 82-foot course.

American competitor GG, whose full name is Gustave the Girl Dog, claimed victory in the final race. Her win in Lithuania followed a previous triumph at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington, marking her second consecutive victory there.

Lithuania’s own Moka, a two-time former champion, took third place in the main event.

Costumes, Noses, and the Loudest Bark

Beyond the sprint competition, the program tested other canine skills. A costume parade featured 38 corgis dressed in outfits ranging from dinosaur suits and dresses to doggy sports gear. Amigo secured a double win, sweeping both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook vote with a knight-like costume.

Photo: Theglobeandmail

In the “smartest nose” challenge, where dogs searched for hidden treats, Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared the victory. Meanwhile, the loudest bark competition brought forward unique contenders, including 12-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from Sedbergh in northwest England. Duke sat out the main running race due to his age but entered the barking contest.