Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California, USA.
If you are an animal lover, you likely want your pets to be beautiful, clever, and happy.
However, in the US, there is a contest for the ugliest dog that might not be suitable for your pets.
This contest is not about finding the ‘ugliest’ dog in a literal sense. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of loving all animals and highlights the benefits of adopting them.
In a heartwarming celebration of canine uniqueness, the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest crowned a familiar face as its champion.
Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, took top honors at this year’s competition. He continued to hold the title of the world’s ugliest dog, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21.
World’s ugliest dog contest
The World’s Ugliest Dog contest, whichhe World’s Ugliest Dog contest first began over 20 years ago.
The mission of the contest was created to inspire love for all animals, especially rescue pets. The competition celebrates the beauty of individuality and the unbreakable spirit of these remarkable canines.
In 1971, Petaluma resident Ross Smith conceived the contest to raise funds for the local community’s Old Adobe Association. The Sonoma-Marin Fair then began hosting the event in 1988.
This year’s jury includes NBC News reporter Gadi Schwartz, human rights activist Linda Witong Abrahm and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
Pekingese named Wild Thang won the ‘world’s ugliest’ award
Wild Thang won the “world’s ugliest dog” award after beating seven other competitors in the contest held at a fair in California, USA.
Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, participated in the World’s Ugliest Dog contest five times before, but this is his first victory.
Eight dogs competed at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21. Most of them were rescued from shelters before being adopted.
Ann Lewis, Wild Thang’s owner, is expected to receive a $5,000 prize and he will appear on NBC’s Today show.
A press release for the event lauds his victory as “a testament to his undeniable charm and resilience.” Despite facing numerous challenges, including surviving distemper as a puppy, Wild Thang has emerged as a healthy and happy dog, affectionately known as “Glugly” (glamorous/ugly).
Wild Thang’s appearance
Wild Thang comes from the state of Oregon, famous for its unique appearance, shaggy fur and protruding tongue.
Ann Lewis is the owner of Wild Thang, who was born in Los Angeles and now resides in North Bend, Oregon.
Wild Thang, from Coos Bay, Oregon, was diagnosed with Cerebellar Hypoplasia at 10 months old, which prevented his teeth from growing and caused a disorder in one of his legs.
Other winners in the World’s ugliest dog contest
Wild Thang wasn’t the only contestant to win a prize.
Second place in the competition went to a 14-year-old pug named Rome
Michelle Grady of Rohnert Park, California, owned Rome, a 14-year-old pug who not only secured second place but also earned the People’s Choice Award.
Described as “a sweet old man in a tiny pug body” with “tippy tap dance moves” despite bowed legs, Rome contributes to a pug relay team that raises funds for differently-abled dogs needing wheelchairs.
Third place was 14-year-old white mixed-breed dog Daisy Mae
Third place went to a “14-ish”-year-old dog named Daisy Mae from Lafayette, California, owned by Elizabeth Whitehouse. Daisy Mae, the “true queen of unconventional beauty,” enjoys “snuggling, annoying her older sister Harriet, and engaging in intense squirrel-chasing sessions.”
Mug Root Beer, a sponsor of the contest, awarded $5,000 to the first place winner, $3,000 to the second place, and $2,000 to the third place.
