Hundreds of stumpy, adorable corgis and their dog parents gathered on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach this weekend for Corgi Con’s Fall 2016 gathering. The furry revelers raced over sand dunes, splashed around in the chilly Pacific water and looked as adorable as could be.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
With no sign of Karl — San Francisco’s fog — on the horizon, the day got off to a frapping good start. The festivities began with a meet and greet, where corgis and their human companions mixed and mingled.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
Corgi Con participants and observers browsed the merchandise being sold, including t-shirts, vests and water bottles. The proceeds of which went to two nonprofit groups: Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Rescue and CorgiAid, Inc.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
“My own corgi was adopted from Stumpy Dog, and having them here is great because they educate people about corgis and about adoption,” Corgi Con’s founder Cynthia Lee told This Dog’s Life during during Saturday’s festivities.
With Halloween just around the corner, it seemed only right that the corgi-themed festival would include a costume contest. While every single pup who joined the contest looked ridiculously cute, there could only be three winners. Ralphie, who got into character in a Star Wars BB-8 costume, took home the first place prize.
Ralphie. Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
Second place went to a corgi dressed as a Vaporeon pokemon, while a corgi named Gracie in a loofa costume took third prize.
Image Credit: Haley Losberger
“We try to go for the ‘awwwws’ from the crowd, which I think we got yesterday especially when I put her shower cap on her!” says Haley Losberger, whose dog, took third place with the loofah costume. “She always knows when she wins too. She gets super excited and barks along with everyone’s clapping.”
After costume prizes were handed out, it was time for the main event: the Corgi Races. Like a furry, pint-sized Olympics, contestants competed in heats, with the top two fastest pups from each race advancing to the next round. Mickey, the reigning champ who has won every SF Corgi Con race for the last four years, was slated to defend his title from speedy contenders like Smalls.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
We caught up with Smalls owner, Janet Moon, before the race and got the scoop on why she and Smalls attend every year. “[Smalls] loves being around the other dogs and loves playing on the beach. Plus, he has some fans who like to see him out and about,” Moon told This Dog’s Life. That’s for sure — the Oakland-based Smalls has more than 70,000 followers on Instagram, many of who came out to see him take on Mickey in Saturday’s races.
Smalls and Mickey both won their heats and met in the final round along with the best of the best from the other races. In a controversial and heart-stopping finale, Mickey took the lead and seemed to secure his fifth champion title.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
While slow-motion footage of the race was reviewed, the packed crowd cheered and waited for the final results. In the end, the footage showed that Mickey did indeed come in first, with Smalls close on his furry heels. Third place went to an excited pup named Wally.
Image Credit: Cody Perhamus
“[Mickey’s] dad was a little worried because he wasn’t here to hold him, but it all worked out,” Mo said with a smile. “[Mickey] just really loves [Corgi Con] — you can see how excited he is,” she said, as Mickey raced around in the waves with some of his corgi friends.
Such a full day can wear on little stumpy-legged creatures but in typical corgi fashion, Corgi Con’s many furry participants didn’t show any signs of slowing down — or being any less cute — as they made their way home when the ceremonies ended.
