Eight-year-old Pekingese dog from Coos Bay, Oregon was crowned as the World’s ugliest dog on Friday. The canine, named Wild Thang, claimed the title in the 2024 edition of the competition held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. This annual event, celebrating its nearly 50-year tradition, highlights the unique and special imperfections of dogs from various backgrounds, most of whom are rescues.
Who were the contenders?
This year’s contest featured eight contenders, many of whom were rescued from shelters and have since found loving homes. Wild Thang, who had participated five times before, secured his first victory this year. His distinctive appearance is the result of a case of canine distemper when he was just 10 weeks old, which stunted his teeth growth, causing his tongue to dangle, and led to a muscular disorder in one of his legs.
Wild Thang and his owner, Ann Lewis, will receive a $5,000 prize and an appearance on NBC’s The Today Show. The runner-up is a 14-year-old wheelchair-bound pug named Rome who received a $3,000 prize and won the People’s Choice Award through online voting. Rome’s owner, Michelle Grady, praised the competition for celebrating the beauty in imperfection.
Who were the judges?
Judges for this year’s event included NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz, human rights advocate Linda Witong Abrahm, and California’s 34th Treasurer Fiona Ma. The contest featured a variety of breeds, including Chihuahua mixes, Chinese Crested mixes, and Pug mixes.
Freddie Mercury, a debutant contestant and local mascot with a distinctive “fork-lift” face, also charmed the audience despite not winning a prize. It is pertinent to note that the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition continues to emphasize the importance of adopting all animals and showcases the unique beauty of dogs considered “imperfect.”