VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — It’s not all about speed on short legs when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There is a costume parade, the “smartest nose” and, of course, the loudest bark. The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius attracted dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis Park on Saturday in what organizers said was the largest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, Czech Republic, the United States and Great Britain, the country most closely associated with the breed, famous for being a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. “In the first year we gathered 40 corgis from one city. This year, there are 150 from nine countries, and for the first time we have a participant from where the breed originated,” said organizer Edvinas Miskas. “We call Vilnius the corgi capital of Europe, and when people from the breed’s homeland start coming to us and not the other way around, that title starts to sound a little more serious.” Ninety-four dogs took part in the main race, competing in the heats, semi-finals and final. In the final, which pitted corgis against each other over 25 meters (82 feet), the winner was American competitor GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog. Another American participant, Mr. Cloggington, finished in second place. Lithuanian Moka, a two-time champion, came third. But much of the show dispensed with speed to explore the other abilities of dogs and their owners. There was a costume parade with 38 corgis in various outfits, including a dinosaur suit, a dress and dog sportswear. Amigo swept both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook vote for an impeccable gentleman-like costume. In the “smartest nose” challenge, the dogs searched for hidden treats. Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared the victory. And then came the loudest barking competition. The first British competitor, Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke, 12, from Sedbergh in the northwest of England, did not participate in the main race due to his majestic age, but was a hope in the barking game after, as his owner said, training throughout his life. However, it was Mr. Cloggington who won the loudest barking contest. Subscribe to Morning Wire: Our flagship newsletter breaks down the day’s biggest headlines. He was one of the competitors who traveled the most. The final race offered him revenge after finishing second to GG in a major race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington – his second consecutive victory there. Half of the corgis registered in Vilnius this year participated for the first time. But six veterans (costume winner Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka and Dziugas) have attended each edition.
