A dog in the US named Wild Thang has been crowned the ugliest in the world after winning the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California. Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese, had competed in the contest five times, finishing second three times before finally clinching the top prize this year.
Wild Thang contracted the viral disease canine distemper as a puppy, which resulted in permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stick out, and his right front leg paddles constantly. Despite these physical issues, Wild Thang is described as a healthy, happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy. The dog and his owner, Ann Lewis, took home a cheque for $5,000 (£4,000).
The World’s Ugliest Dog competition, which has been held for nearly 50 years, celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique. According to the event’s website, it is not about making fun of ‘ugly dogs’, but about having fun with their wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are truly beautiful.
In this year’s contest, a 14-year-old Pug named Rome came in second place, while a 14-year-old rescue dog named Daisy Mae took third place.