On Saturday, April 20, hundreds of corgis and ‘stumpy’ pooches gathered at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. These dogs, known for their short features, met for the annual ‘StumpyCon’ while their owners bonded over their shared love for these quirky canines.
While all kinds of “stumpy” dogs were in attendance, like the French Bulldog, Basset Hound, or Dachshund, the event was predominantly Corgis. Corgis, with their short and stocky stature, fox-like face, and fluffy behinds, have procured a cult-like following. Hats, hoodies, plushies, and an endless array of accessories adorned with adorable corgis were available.
Activities for all, short and tall
The day was full of fun competitions, photo opportunities, and good times with the canine community. Dog obstacle courses were set up, which proved challenging to some owners because of their pup’s stubborn personality.
“We had trouble getting [our corgi] through the obstacle course because she’s always doing her own thing. She’s very independent, for better or for worse” said a StumpyCon attendee.
Throughout the 7-hour event, competitions kept the crowds excited and engaged. It was accompanied by a costume contest, a fetch game, and even a talent show for the tail (or nub) waggers to show off their tricks.
Corgi Community
With over 5,000 attendees at the last CorgiCon and potentially more at StumpyCon, the question arises: how is such a niche event organized? Most dogs have Instagram accounts managed by their owners, which makes getting the word out about StumpyCon a breeze.
“The community is very strong and tight-knit [since] most dogs have Instagram accounts. Because of that, there’s an online community [and] they all come here to meet up,” said event organizer Cynthia Lee.
The best part of the event: some corgis get to see their long-lost siblings as the Bay Area corgi owners gravitate towards reputable breeders nearby.
“A lot of times owners will get a corgi from the same breeder, so they can come and meet up with their siblings,” said Lee.
Whether StumpyConners brought a Corgi, Boston Bull Terrier, Dachshund, Doberman, or maybe just themselves, everyone had a great time at the fairgrounds connecting with old friends and making new ones.
“The next CorgiCon event will be on September 14th, 2024. There will be a corgi ninja warrior and a costume contest” said an announcer.
