A corgi happily poses for the camera at the 2016 Oregon Corgi Beach Day at Cannon Beach. "Corgis are happy dogs," said Jennifer Robinson, organizer of the Portland Corgi Meetup Group. "Who wouldn't love a goofy, smiling, short dog?"
Shirley Chan / OPB
Cannon Beach faced an invasion of short-legged, happy-go-lucky creatures with ears bigger than life and smiles to match during the 4th Annual Oregon Corgi Beach Day on Saturday, July 30.
Hundreds of corgi owners and admirers cooed over the corgis as they pranced along the Oregon Coast, kicking up sand and water underneath the warm, summer sun. Whether it’s the goofy smiles or the adorably disproportionate body-to-legs ratio, entertainment never falls short with these dogs.
“They’re lovable,” said Jennifer Robinson, the organizer of the Portland Corgi Meetup Group who hosts the yearly event. “It’s hard to look at a corgi and not smile.”
Famous Instagram accounts like @corgnelius, @aquacorg, @corginstagram and @ralphthecorgi, range from 80,000 followers up to nearly 700,000. There's no doubt that corgis have stolen the heart of many.
“It’s the fact that they’re so happy with their people,” said Donna Newton, the breed rescue contact for the Columbia River Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club. “They’re smiling all the time. I think that’s why they appeal to people.”
The interest shown on social media has translated well in reality. Started in 2007, the Portland-based corgi meetup group has grown from 30 members to more than 500. This year the group cordially hosted an estimated 700-plus people, doubling last year's attendance.
Even though it was a corgi beach day, all breeds could participate. With more than 700 people signing in at Cannon Beach, the Oregon Humane Society estimated at least 350 corgis attended.
"Everyone I've seen has had one or two or three," said Christy Blahutka, who worked at the Oregon Humane Society booth, in regards to the number of corgis people brought with them.
Linda Kay poses with her corgi Wallace next to a corgi-themed cornhole board while wearing a shirt with a corgi printed on it at the 2016 Oregon Corgi Beach Day in Cannon Beach.
Shirley Chan / OPB
On Facebook, there were more than 2,000 people “interested” in the event and another 1,000-plus RSVP'd as “going” to the event.
As the event grew larger each year, the group decided to reach out to the Oregon Humane Society. This is the second year the event has benefited the Oregon Humane Society. Last year’s event raised $1,500.
“As our event started growing we wanted to do something to help the community as well,” Robinson said.
Combining a love for corgis with a dedication to giving back, the group also participates in events like Dogtoberfest, Walk in the Pearl, Doggie Street Fest and Strut Your Mutt.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect correct attendance numbers. OPB regrets the error.