What Are the Corgi Races? It’s The Fast & The Fur-ious!
You and I both know how adorable corgis are.
Their stubby legs, cute faces, and happy dispositions are the reasons why so many people fall head over heels in love with them.
But despite their stumpy appearance, corgis are surprisingly speedy.
In fact, these furry creatures even have their very own event called the corgi races!
So, what are the corgi races? And what happens during this event?
As a corgi lover that can only dream of one day attending such an event, I’ve done a deep dive into exactly what goes on!
Here’s what I found.
What are the corgi races?
You may be familiar with greyhound racing, a competitive dog sport where the participant canines race on an enclosed track. It’s a nationwide industry, much like horse racing.
Corgi racing, however, is a recreational event.
These racing events are merely for fun, but organizers may sometimes use them to raise funds for pet-friendly charities.
Unlike greyhound racing, the competitors for corgi races aren’t professional athletes.
These stubby furballs are regular house pets racing for the glory of their owners—and treats!
In short, the purpose of this annual racing sport is to celebrate the pet owners’ love of all corgis.
It’s a special day when pet corgis can come together and have fun!
When did corgi racing begin?
The Emerald Downs racetrack began holding corgi races back in 2017.
The first race was a huge hit, attracting more than 12,000 people, and so the organizers decided to make it an annual event.
Is corgi racing safe for dogs?
Yes, corgi racing is safe for your little chonk!
Organizers require all participants to provide evidence of up-to-date vaccinations before joining the event.
The only risk for your corgi is the off chance that the dogs scrap with one another. However, these scenarios are unlikely to happen.
What are the Corgi Nationals?
The Corgi Nationals is the largest and most popular statewide speed competition for corgis that began in 2018.
This event happens once a year, bringing together corgi enthusiasts from all over the country.
The Nationals offer a wide range of activities you and your canine friends can enjoy. So you’ll get the chance to showcase your furry friend’s unique talents and need for speed!
The Corgi Nationals holds four events throughout the year.
They have biannual corgi races, Winter and Summer Corgi Nationals, and festivals called Corgi Beach Day in Huntington Dog Beach.
Both Winter and Summer Corgi Nationals typically happen in Sta. Ana Park in Arcadia, California. But the venues can change depending on the year.
What happens during a corgi race?
Corgi racing is similar to human racing. It’s made up of several stages or segments, called heats, and a final championship round where the heat winners compete.
As a recreational sport, the setup for these corgi races isn’t as complicated as other animal racing events. Still, the race happens on actual tracks, usually 125 feet long.
The organizers then line the corgis up at the starting point along with their owners. At the end of the race track is another family member waiting for their little one to cross the finish line!
The owners will simultaneously unleash the pets onto the tracks as the organizers pop the signal. The winner would be the first corgi who crosses the finish line to meet its family.
However, as you may have already guessed, many corgis don’t reach the finish line. Some run the wrong way, some chase other pups, and others leave the race entirely!
Still, these amusing scenarios are a part of the sport’s attraction. And as long as the pets and their families have fun, the spirit of the event remains.
Where do they hold corgi races?
Corgi racing happens all over the United States. But organizers typically hold corgi races in dog-friendly venues like the Corgi Nationals’ Sta. Anita Park and Huntington Dog Beach.
The other venues known for organizing these events are horse racing tracks like Emeralds Down in Auburn, Washington, and Canterbury Park.
In addition to these formal events, many corgi-lover communities often come together to create small-scale corgi races in local parks.
How much can you win in a corgi race?
As a family-friendly corgi sport, monetary prizes aren’t part of the event. The organizers prohibit betting and other forms of gambling as well.
This doesn’t mean, however, that winners come home with nothing. But the prize varies depending on the organizer and location of the race.
Winners of the Corgi Nationals will bring home medals or trophies your pups can play with. You may also get corgi-product gift cards and, of course, bragging rights!
Is corgi racing ethical?
One question many people have about corgi racing is whether it’s ethical. After all, maltreatment of the dogs was a critical issue attributed to greyhound racing.
Corgi races, however, don’t harm the corgis in any way, as the doggies run for fun instead of competing for monetary prizes.
Additionally, the event happens once a year. And the corgis stay with their owners the whole time—except when sprinting on the tracks.
It’s basically you spending quality time with your pet. The only difference is that you spend it with other corgi lovers nationwide.
Your furry companion will have fun playing with you and other corgis. Plus, they have a chance to win a trophy and the possibility of being featured on TV!
How fast are corgis?
Corgis might look stubby and prone to relaxing (rather than running) but as herding dogs, they can actually move very fast.
As surprising as it may sound, corgis can run as fast as 25 miles per hour. That’s faster than the average human sprinting speed, which is only about 18 miles per hour!
Related FAQs
How do you enter the corgi races?
To enter your corgi into the races held at Emerald Downs, keep an eye on their website for updates about the next event. For the Corgi Nationals, the next race will be in February 2024. You can enter your corgi into the race by applying for the lotto.
Are corgis still used for herding?
Yes, some corgis are still used for herding on farms. However, the majority are not working dogs and spend more time running around local parks than farms!
