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The Unconventional Champions: A Look At The World's Ugliest Dog Contest Winners And Their Heartwarming Stories

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Every year, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest transforms a seemingly negative title into a badge of honor, celebrating the unique imperfections that make certain canines utterly lovable. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most recent champion to capture the world’s attention with his shaggy, perpetually surprised look is an eight-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang, who finally took home the coveted title in 2024 after years of trying. This annual event, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, is far more than a simple beauty pageant; it is a powerful platform for dog rescue, adoption advocacy, and a celebration of "natural ugliness" that proves true beauty is found in unconditional love and acceptance.

The contest highlights dogs who might be overlooked in a shelter due to their unusual attributes, from dangling tongues and crooked teeth to mobility challenges and fur loss. The stories of these champions, like Wild Thang and the 2023 winner, Scooter, are a testament to resilience and the enduring bond between a dog and its owner. They prove that every dog, regardless of its physical appearance, deserves a loving home and a moment in the global spotlight. This article dives deep into the biographies of the latest winners and the fascinating history of this beloved, quirky competition.

Meet the Reigning Champions: Wild Thang (2024) and Scooter (2023)

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest winners are not just dogs; they are personalities, often with heart-wrenching backstories that make their victories even sweeter. The two most recent champions perfectly embody the spirit of the competition: celebrating the unconventional.

Wild Thang: The 2024 Champion

  • Breed: Pekingese
  • Age: 8 years old
  • Hometown/Origin: Coos Bay, Oregon, USA
  • Owner: Ann Lewis
  • Unique Features: Wild Thang has a distinct, shaggy coat and a tongue that often hangs out. His most notable feature is that his entire body was affected by distemper as a puppy, which prevented his adult teeth from growing in and caused his tongue to permanently loll.
  • Contest History: He was a perennial contestant, having competed in five editions of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest before finally winning the grand prize in 2024.
  • Prize: Wild Thang and owner Ann Lewis won $5,000 in prize money.

Scooter: The 2023 Champion

  • Breed: Chinese Crested
  • Age: 7 years old
  • Hometown/Origin: Tucson, Arizona, USA
  • Owner: Linda Elmquist
  • Unique Features: Scooter is a hairless Chinese Crested with a striking, unique appearance. His most defining feature is his reversed hind legs, which point backward.
  • Backstory: Scooter was rescued from a shelter where he was almost euthanized due to his birth defect. His owner, Linda Elmquist, adopted him from the Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE) program. He uses a custom-made mobility cart to help him get around.
  • Impact: His victory in 2023 was a powerful testament to the beauty of rescue dogs and the importance of adopting pets with special needs.

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest: A Tradition of Love and Laughter

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is an annual tradition that has been running for over 50 years, dating back to the 1970s. Held during the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, the event has grown from a local curiosity into a globally recognized competition that is broadcast internationally. The contest's true mission is to promote the adoption of rescue animals, and it serves as a lighthearted celebration of the non-traditional beauty found in dogs with unusual physical characteristics.

What Are the Judging Criteria?

Contrary to what the name might suggest, the dogs are not judged on breed standards or against a traditional definition of beauty. Instead, the panel of judges—which often includes celebrities, dog experts, and media personalities—scores the competitors based on five key areas.

The judging criteria focus on the dog's unique presentation and personality:

  • First Impressions: The initial visual impact the dog makes upon entering the stage.
  • Unusual Attributes: This category celebrates the dog’s specific, quirky, or odd physical features, such as missing hair (fur challenges), crooked snouts, underbites, mismatched eyes, or deformed limbs.
  • Natural Ugliness: The dog must be "naturally ugly," meaning their appearance is not the result of intentional alteration or abuse. Owners must provide a veterinarian's note to prove the dog is healthy and its features are natural.
  • Personality: The dog's demeanor, enthusiasm, and ability to charm the audience and judges.
  • Audience Impression: The reaction and applause from the crowd, which demonstrates the dog's ability to win hearts.

The contest often features separate categories for purebred dogs and mixed-breed dogs (mutts), with the two category winners then competing for the overall Grand Prize title. The ultimate goal is to showcase that a dog's character and spirit are what truly matter, not their physical perfection.

Notable Past Winners and Their Quirky Charms

The history of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest is filled with memorable champions whose unique looks and compelling stories have left an indelible mark on popular culture. These dogs, with their "natural ugliness" and incredible personalities, have become global icons, advocating for the adoption of all canines.

Sam (Winner 2003-2005)

Perhaps the most famous winner in the contest's history, Sam was a blind, hairless Chinese Crested who won the title three years in a row. His startling appearance, which included tufts of white hair and a deeply wrinkled face, made him a global sensation and helped to cement the contest's place in the media spotlight.

Zsa Zsa (Winner 2018)

Zsa Zsa, a nine-year-old English Bulldog, won the 2018 contest thanks to her wide stance, pronounced underbite, and a long, floppy tongue that hung almost to the ground. Her owner traveled for 30 hours from Anoka, Minnesota, to participate, proving the dedication of the contestants.

Peanut (Winner 2014)

Peanut, a small mutt, won the 2014 title. Her unique look—a wild, toothy grin, intense gaze, and patches of hair loss—was the result of health issues stemming from being severely burned as a puppy. Her victory was used to raise awareness for animal abuse and the importance of rescue.

Martha (Winner 2017)

Martha, a 125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff, stood out with her massive size and dramatically sagging jowls and bloodshot eyes. Her relaxed, droopy appearance won over the judges, demonstrating that "ugly" can also mean wonderfully weird and endearing.

The legacy of these unconventional champions, from the tiny Chinese Crested with a mobility cart to the massive Mastiff with a droopy face, underscores the contest's core message: love is blind. The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is ultimately a celebration of the underdog, providing a powerful platform to advocate for adoption, responsible pet ownership, and the idea that every single dog is beautiful in its own unique way.

The Unconventional Champions: A Look at the World's Ugliest Dog Contest Winners and Their Heartwarming Stories
world's ugliest dog contest winners
world's ugliest dog contest winners

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