The annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest took place at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, unearthing some unique dogs who stole the show. After five previous attempts, Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, finally won the crown and the $5,000 prize. Judge Fiona Ma described him as a fan favorite, as he had competed before but never won. She mentioned his heartwarming story of surviving a virus as a puppy, which left him with permanent damage, including undeveloped teeth, a floppy tongue, and a paddling front leg.
Despite his unique appearance, Ma added that Wild Thang is a sweet dog who enjoys cuddles and needs a forever home like many rescue dogs. The contest organizers emphasized that the competition is not about making fun of the dogs but celebrating their beauty and unique characters. Second place went to Rome, a one-eyed pug who has retired to the Pug Hotel Senior Sanctuary in California and participates in charitable activities like visiting hospice patients and raising money for wheelchairs for dogs.
Wild Thang and other competitors have also made significant contributions to society, such as raising money to evacuate dogs from Ukraine and visiting senior centers and taking care of foster kittens. Many of the dogs in the contest, including third-place winner Daisy Mae, have been rescued and have overcome challenges like losing hair, teeth, and vision. Despite their adversities, these dogs have gained friends, confidence, and spunk, showcasing the beauty in embracing differences and providing love and care to animals in need.