The Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest is a celebration of unique canine companions that will make you smile. It's a heartwarming event that showcases dogs with one-of-a-kind features.
The contest has been running for over 25 years, with the first winner being a dog named Norbert, a Chinese Crested hairless dog. The contest has since become an annual event.
Each year, the contest attracts over 1,500 entries from all over the world. The dogs are judged on their unique physical characteristics, with the winner receiving a year's supply of dog food and other prizes.
Explore further: Ugly Dog Contest
Winners
The Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest has a rich history of recognizing the most lovable and unique canines.
Since 1976, the contest has been recording its winners.
One notable winner is Boomer, a French mastiff, who took home the title in 1996.
The contest introduced the People's Choice Award in 2018, which is decided solely by online voting results.
Himisaboo, a 12-year-old Chinese Crested-Dachshund mix from Oregon, was the first winner of this award.
For another approach, see: National Dog Show Winner 2021
Event Details
The Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest is a unique and entertaining event that takes place each year. It's held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.
The contest has been running for over 30 years, starting in 1991. It's a popular event that attracts thousands of visitors.
The winner of the contest receives a year's supply of dog food and other prizes. They also get to be the grand marshal of the fair's parade.
The contest is open to dogs of all breeds and mixes, but they must be considered "ugly" by the judges.
See what others are reading: Hot Dog Eating Contest
Past Winners
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been recording winners since 1976.
Boomer, a French mastiff, took home the title in 1996.
The contest introduced the People's Choice Award in 2018, where online voting results determined the winner.
Himisaboo, a 12-year-old Chinese Crested-Dachshund mix from Oregon, received the most votes and won the award.
Zsa Zsa, an English bulldog, won the contest in 2018 with her unique features, including a wide-legged stance, underbite, and long droopy tongue.
2018
The 2018 contest was won by Zsa Zsa, an English bulldog with a particularly wide-legged stance, underbite, and very long droopy tongue.
Zsa Zsa's unique features made her stand out from the crowd, and she was crowned the winner of the 2018 contest.
Zsa Zsa's victory marked the beginning of a special year for bulldog enthusiasts, who got to see their beloved breed shine in the spotlight.
There's nothing quite like seeing a breed's personality shine through in a contest like this, and Zsa Zsa was definitely a showstopper.
Related reading: When Is It Best to Breed a Dog
2008 Gus
Gus, the 2008 winner, was a one-eyed, three-legged pedigree Chinese Crested from St. Petersburg, Florida.
He was a remarkable dog, despite his physical limitations, and his story is a testament to the resilience of animals.
Gus passed away on November 10, 2008, at the age of 9.
His life was cut short, but his legacy lives on as a reminder of the importance of caring for animals in need.
2012 Mugly
In 2012, Mugly took home the top prize. He's a Chinese crested dog from Peterborough, England, owned by Bev Nicholson.
Mugly's already been recognized as one of the U.K.'s ugliest dog honorees. He's an 8-year-old dog, which is quite the senior status.
Mugly's unique features didn't stop him from winning big. He and his owner showed off their British pride with Union Jack-embellished accessories.
As a therapy dog, Mugly's work was recognized in 2016 with the Heroic Hounds award at the National Pet Show in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the world's ugliest dog contest in 2024?
Wild Thang took the top prize at the 2024 World's Ugliest Dog competition. This 14-year-old winner was crowned alongside other notable contestants, including Rome the pug and Daisy Mae.
What is the prize for the ugliest dog contest?
The prize for the ugliest dog contest includes a cash award of $5,000 for first place, with smaller awards for second and third place, as well as a unique opportunity to be featured on a limited-edition product.
Did Wild Thang win the ugliest dog contest?
Yes, Wild Thang won the 2024 World's Ugliest Dog competition. He was crowned the winner on June 21, 2024, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.
What kind of dog won the ugliest dog contest?
The World's Ugliest Dog contest winner is a Chinese Crested pup named Scooter. This unique breed is known for its distinctive appearance.
How to enter world's ugliest dog contest?
To enter the World's Ugliest Dog Competition, submit an entry form, short biography, photo, and proof of vaccination by June 21. All competitors will be grouped together in a single class, regardless of breed or category.
Sources
- "Experience: My dog is the 'ugliest in the world'" (theguardian.com)
- "Super fluffy 8-year-old Pekingese Wild Thang wins 2024 World's Ugliest Dog contest" (npr.org)
- "Eight-year-old pekingese Wild Thang wins World’s Ugliest Dog contest" (theguardian.com)
- "Scooter, a Chinese crested, is crowned world's ugliest dog" (theguardian.com)
- "Meet Scooter, the winner of this year's World's Ugliest Dog contest" (npr.org)
- "Chinese Crested-Chihuahua Mix Named Mr. Happy Face Is 2022 'World's Ugliest Dog'" (nbcchicago.com)
- "A look back at every World's Ugliest Dog Contest winner since 2002" (tucson.com)
- Traveller.com.au (traveller.com.au)
- "World’s Ugliest Dog, Scamp the Tramp, Comes From a Family of Winners" (nytimes.com)
- "PHOTOS: Meet Martha, World's Ugliest Dog" (npr.org)
- "Deformed mutt is crowned World’s Ugliest Dog" (corrected) (apnews.com)
- "World's Ugliest Dog 2014 Contest: And the Winner Is ... Peanut! Check Out a Pic!" (eonline.com)
- "Upset at World's Ugliest Dog contest" (usatoday.com)
- "Ugly Mugly Wins Ugliest Dog Contest" (npr.org)
- "Yoda, World's Ugliest Dog, Becomes One With the Force, Dies at Age 15" (ew.com)
- Chinese crested mix deemed ugliest dog (wivb.com)
- "Newly Rescued Chihuahua Takes 'Ugliest Dog' Title" (foxnews.com)
- "Former World's Ugliest Dog Miss Ellie Dies at 17" (cbsnews.com)
- "Pabst, a boxer mix, crowned World's Ugliest Dog over a field of Chinese cresteds," (latimes.com)
- www.TheWorldsUgliestDog.com (theworldsugliestdog.com)
- "End of the line for Gus, the world's ugliest dog" (theguardian.com)
- "Elwood, crowned world's ugliest dog in 2007, dies" (usatoday.com)
- "Brouhaha Erupts Over Ugly Dog Contest" (ktvu.com)
- "Scamp the Tramp wins World's Ugliest Dog Contest" (sfgate.com)
- "Pug-Nosed in Petaluma: Ugly Dogs Get Their Day at Fair" (pressdemocrat.com)
- "Ross Smith, creator of World's Ugliest Dog competition, dies at 91" (petaluma360.com)
- "A look back at Sonoma-Marin Fair's World's Ugliest Dogs" (pressdemocrat.com)
- "'Drooling, snoring, gassy' Martha the mastiff wins World's Ugliest Dog" (cnn.com)
- World's Ugliest Dog Contest (wikimedia.org)
- World's Ugliest Dog Contest Winners Through the Years ... (people.com)
- Facebook (facebook.com)
- Twitter (twitter.com)
- Facebook (facebook.com)
- the Guardian (theguardian.com)
- Photos: Top 3 Finishers In World's Ugliest Dog Competition (patch.com)
Featured Images: pexels.com