Beach training pays off for Juno in the Corgi Derby

The Corgi Derby is part of Musselburgh Racecourse's Easter Weekend.

There was claws for celebration yesterday as hundreds of fans turned out for the Corgi Derby.

Fifteen pooches were on the line as tennis coach Judy Murray dropped the start flag at Musselburgh Racecourse.

It was a ruff experience for some, while others had a time they’ll never fur-get – but nothing could stop Juno showing dogged determination to take the win.

Owners Alisdair Tew and Frances Brandon, from Portobello in Edinburgh, led the cheers for their pet as she completed the 70-metre course.

The three-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi benefited from a Chariots Of Fire-style training regime on Portobello beach.

She was spurred on to beat her ninth-place finish last year by the promise of one of her favourite lamb bagels at the finish line.

Alisdair, 32, said: “Juno won the practice run so we knew she was in the mood.

“She just loves to run and she knew her favourite treat was at the finish line and just went for it. She goes crazy for her treats.”

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JUNO WINS THE CORGI DERBY IS STYLE 🏆🐶 #itvracing

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Juno is a Pembroke Welsh corgi, the breed so beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

But the race comes amid a more serious message from the Kennel Club – which has revealed that we could be at risk of losing certain types of dogs.

Among the vulnerable breeds is the Pembroke’s cousin the Cardigan Welsh corgi.

There were 274 Cardigan puppies recorded in 2014, but there was a boost over the last decade and the breed recorded its highest numbers in 30 years in 2021 during the Platinum Jubilee year.

There has been a slight dip since then, with 760 puppies recorded in 2024.

There are 39 vulnerable native breeds and a further seven classed as “at watch” – this is the highest number at threat than ever before.

Vulnerable dogs include the fox terrier, Sealyham terrier and old English sheep dog. The at-watch list includes wire fox terrier and Airedale terrier.

Judy Murray meets Juno and owners Frances Brandon and Alisdair Tew.

The Kennel Club’s Charlotte McNamara said: “We’re so lucky to have such a variety of breeds in this country, with so many different personalities and characteristics, so the fact that some could disappear completely is concerning.

“There are a number of factors that can play a part in the popularity of particular breeds, including popular culture, celebrity ownership and current fashion trends.

“Many native breeds were bred centuries ago for a specific working function, such as the bearded Collie, which was originally bred to herd, or the Cardigan Welsh corgi, but they are now primarily owned as pets.

“Changes in lifestyle can also have a huge impact.

“For example, the otterhound – while this good-natured and easy-going breed can be a great companion in the right environment, as a bigger breed, they won’t suit those living in cities with smaller living spaces and less access to outdoor space.”

The club also said that a lot of people aren’t aware of some of the breeds available to buy and easy to own.

The top breeds in the UK include the Labrador, golden retriever and cocker spaniel and account for more than 60% of annual puppy registrations for all breeds.

Queen Elizabeth with her corgis at Windsor.

Covid saw a huge surge in puppy sales with soaring demand for dogs such as cockapoos and cavapoos as people sought to find ways of dealing with the strict lockdown.

However, sales have now dipped slightly, with some dogs ending up dumped in kennels by breeders unable to sell them.

The Dogs Trust said the top five breeds in its care last year were the crossbreed, border collie, lurcher, Jack Russell terrier and Labrador retriever.

As of this year, they are crossbreed, lurcher, greyhound, Staffordshire bull terrier and border collie.