The Unconventional Charm: 5 'Ugliest' Dogs In The World That Prove Beauty Is More Than Skin Deep

Every year, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest captivates global attention, not to mock, but to celebrate the profound truth that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. This annual event, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, serves as a powerful platform to advocate for dog adoption, highlight the importance of rescue, and showcase the amazing personalities of unique-looking canines. As of December 2025, the stories of recent champions like Wild Thang and Scooter continue to inspire, reminding us that a dog's pedigree or appearance is irrelevant compared to the love and joy they bring into our lives. These dogs, often misunderstood, are the true champions of unconditional love and resilience.

The term "ugliest" in this context is a badge of honor, a celebration of the extraordinary features that make these pets one-of-a-kind. From perpetually sticking-out tongues to bodies that look like a patchwork of fur and skin, these animals redefine what it means to be a beloved companion. We delve into the recent winners and the breeds most commonly associated with this heartwarming competition, exploring the personalities and unique challenges that come with their unconventional looks.

Recent Champions: The World's Ugliest Dog Contest Hall of Fame

The contest has crowned many memorable winners over the decades, but the most recent champions embody the spirit of the event: resilience, uniqueness, and the power of a loving home. Their biographies are a testament to the fact that every dog deserves to be adored.

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• Wild Thang (2024 Winner):
  • Breed: Pekingese
  • Age: 8 years old (at the time of winning)
  • Unique Features: Known for his signature fluffy, unkempt coat and his tongue that perpetually hangs out. His appearance is a result of a case of distemper he contracted as a puppy, which prevented his teeth from growing properly and caused permanent nerve damage.
  • Backstory: Wild Thang competed in the contest five times before finally claiming the title in 2024. His persistent presence and charmingly wild look finally won the judges over.
• Scooter (2023 Winner):
  • Breed: Chinese Crested (Hairless)
  • Age: 7 years old (at the time of winning)
  • Unique Features: Scooter's most defining characteristic is his reversed hind legs, which face backward. He also has wispy white hair on his head, a nearly-bald body, and a wrinkly pot belly. He uses a mobility cart to get around.
  • Backstory: Scooter was rescued from a shelter after a breeder brought him in to be euthanized due to his birth defect. His owner, Linda Elmquist, adopted him and provided him with the necessary care and love, making his victory a true rags-to-riches story.

The Top 3 Breeds That Redefine 'Ugly-Cute'

While mixed-breed rescue dogs often take the crown, certain purebreds consistently feature in the contest and top the lists of the world's most unique-looking canines. These breeds possess genetic traits that give them their distinctive appearance, often leading to specific care requirements.

1. The Chinese Crested: The Reigning King of Unconventional Looks

The Chinese Crested is arguably the most represented breed in the history of the "ugliest dog" competition, and with good reason. The hairless variety, with its tufts of hair on the head (the "crest"), tail, and feet (the "socks"), combined with smooth, often spotted skin, creates a striking and unusual look. Breeds like Scooter exemplify this perfectly. Their appearance is a result of a dominant, but lethal, gene that causes hairlessness and often affects dentition, leading to the characteristic "snaggletooth" look.

Key Characteristics & Care:

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• Skin Care: Their exposed skin requires diligent care, including sunscreen to prevent sunburn and moisturizer to prevent dryness.
• Dental Health: Due to the hairless gene's link to teeth development, many Cresteds have missing or "primitive" teeth, requiring specialized dental attention.
• Health Concerns: They are prone to eye problems (like Primary Lens Luxation and Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Patellar Luxation, and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

2. The Pekingese: The Fluffball with a Perpetual Bad Hair Day

The Pekingese, exemplified by the 2024 winner Wild Thang, is known for its flat face, large eyes, and a massive, lion-like mane of hair. While often considered regal, their unique features can also land them on the "ugly" list, particularly when their hair is unkempt or their facial folds are pronounced. Their pushed-in faces are a result of brachycephaly, which creates a look of perpetual surprise or grumpiness, endearing them to many.

Key Characteristics & Care:

• Brachycephalic Syndrome: Their flat faces make them prone to Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can cause breathing difficulties, especially in heat or during strenuous exercise.
• Eye Care: Their large, prominent eyes are susceptible to injury and conditions like corneal ulcers.
• Coat Maintenance: The thick, double coat requires daily grooming to prevent matting and skin issues.

3. Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog): The Ancient and Elegant Oddity

The Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo, is a breed with a history dating back over 3,000 years, revered by the Aztecs. Its appearance is strikingly unique: a sleek, muscular body with smooth, hairless skin and an occasional tuft of hair on the head. While considered elegant by many, their lack of fur and often wrinkled skin lands them on the list of unconventional beauties. They come in three sizes (toy, miniature, and standard) and are known for their calm, protective, and highly intelligent nature.

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Key Characteristics & Care:

• Temperature Sensitivity: Being hairless, they are sensitive to cold and require coats in winter.
• Sun Protection: Like the Chinese Crested, their skin needs sunscreen when exposed to the sun to prevent burns.
• Temperament: They are excellent companions, known for forming a strong bond with one person or family.

The True Mission: Why We Celebrate Imperfection

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not a spectacle of ridicule; it is a profound celebration of the human-animal bond and an advocacy campaign for rescue dogs. The core mission is to show the world that every dog, regardless of physical appearance or medical history, is deserving of love and a forever home.

Many of the contestants and winners are rescue dogs, like Scooter, who was saved from euthanasia. Their stories highlight the fact that the traits that make them "ugly"—reversed legs, missing fur, odd teeth—are often the result of birth defects or past trauma. By celebrating these unique features, the contest encourages potential adopters to look past superficial flaws and embrace the dog's inner beauty and personality.

The event promotes the idea that "ugly is beautiful" and that true value lies in the dog's spirit, resilience, and capacity for love. It's a powerful reminder that adopting a pet means accepting them exactly as they are—imperfections and all. This focus on character over convention is what makes the contest a beloved annual tradition and a significant force in the world of animal advocacy.

Ultimately, the "ugliest dogs" are the ones who teach us the most important lesson: that unconditional love sees no flaws. Whether you're drawn to the wild charm of a Pekingese, the quirky elegance of a Chinese Crested, or the ancient mystique of a Xolo, these unique-looking canines prove that the most beautiful thing a dog can be is loved.