The 5 Most Shocking Winners Of The World's Ugliest Dog Contest (Including 2024's 'Glugly' Champion)

The title of "World's Ugliest Dog" is not an insult, but a badge of honor, celebrating the unique imperfections and incredible spirit of canines who have overcome adversity. As of the December 2025 update, the reigning champion is a fluffy, charismatic Pekingese whose journey from a near-fatal illness to international stardom encapsulates the true meaning of the contest: a celebration of inner beauty and resilience. This annual event, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, turns the concept of canine beauty on its head, rewarding the most endearingly "glugly" (glamorous/ugly) dogs in the world. The 2024 winner’s story is a powerful testament to the unbreakable bond between a dog and its owner.

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been running since the 1970s, evolving from a local fair attraction into a globally recognized event that spotlights the importance of adoption and rescue. The competition is judged not just on physical appearance, but on personality, backstory, and the connection with the owner. The latest winner, who finally achieved the coveted title on his fifth attempt, perfectly embodies the spirit of the event, proving that a dog's worth is found in their heart, not their looks.

Biography and Unique Features of the Current Champion: Wild Thang

The 2024 World's Ugliest Dog Contest champion is Wild Thang, an 8-year-old male Pekingese whose shaggy, unkempt coat and perpetually exposed tongue have endeared him to judges and fans worldwide. His victory in 2024 was a culmination of five years of competing, finally securing the title and the $1,500 grand prize.

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• Name: Wild Thang
• Breed: Pekingese
• Age: 8 years old (as of 2024 contest)
• Owner: Ann Lewis
• Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon
• Unique Features: Permanent exposed tongue, unkempt fluffy coat, and a muscular disorder in one leg.
• Backstory: Wild Thang contracted canine distemper as a 10-week-old puppy at a foster home.
• Distemper Effects: The viral disease left him with lasting physical effects, including preventing his adult teeth from growing in properly, which is why his tongue is always sticking out. It also caused a muscular disorder in one of his legs.
• Contest History: 2024 was his fifth time competing in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.

Wild Thang's owner, Ann Lewis, has used his celebrity to advocate for pet adoption and to raise awareness about the importance of pet vaccinations, particularly for canine distemper, which is largely preventable. His survival story is a powerful message of hope and resilience, turning a devastating illness into an opportunity for global recognition and positive change.

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest: Celebrating Imperfection

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is far more than a simple beauty pageant in reverse; it is a heartfelt celebration of the unique characteristics, personalities, and often challenging backstories of rescue and purebred dogs. The event, which takes place annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, has a core mission to promote adoption and responsible pet ownership.

Judging Criteria and the "Glugly" Factor

The judges evaluate the competitors based on several key areas, ensuring the focus remains on the dog's spirit and narrative, rather than just their physical abnormalities. The competition actively seeks out the "glugly"—a term coined to describe dogs who are simultaneously glamorous and ugly.

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The official judging criteria include:

• First Impression: The dog's overall appearance and immediate impact on the judges.
• Unique Features: Physical attributes that set the dog apart, such as unusual hair, missing teeth, excessive wrinkles, or unique body shapes.
• Personality: The dog's charisma, enthusiasm, and ability to charm the crowd.
• Natural Ugliness: The contest strictly prohibits any intentional alterations to make the dog look "uglier."
• Backstory/Spirit: The dog's history, especially if they are a rescue, and the inspiring journey they have taken with their owner.

The contest offers a significant cash prize, with the 2024 winner receiving $1,500, the first runner-up receiving $1,000, and a special Spirit Award also being presented to a dog whose biography best exemplifies overcoming adversity.

A Hall of Fame: Notable Past Winners and Their Unique Traits

The contest's history is filled with memorable champions, many of whom have become global celebrities, using their fame to champion animal welfare causes. These dogs often represent breeds commonly associated with the "ugliest" title, such as the Chinese Crested, which has won the competition numerous times due to its hairless body and tufts of fur.

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Here are some of the most notable and endearingly "ugly" winners:

1. Scooter (2023 Winner)

Scooter, a seven-year-old Chinese Crested-mix, was the 2023 champion. His most striking features were his backward-facing hind legs, which were a birth defect. He was nearly euthanized as a puppy but was rescued and now uses a custom-made cart to help him move. His story highlights the incredible dedication of rescue organizations and owners.

2. Mr. Happy Face (2022 Winner)

This 17-year-old Chinese Crested-Chihuahua mix won the 2022 title. Mr. Happy Face was a rescue with a severe underbite, a perpetually lopsided face, and a distinctive mohawk of white hair. Despite his age and health issues, his joyful and resilient spirit captured the hearts of the judges and the global audience.

3. Scamp the Tramp (2019 Winner)

Scamp the Tramp, a rescue dog of unknown breed, was the 2019 winner. His unique look was defined by his "dreadlocked" coat and wild, unkempt hair that resembled a mop, paired with a perpetually worried expression. His owner, Yvonne Morones, often described him as a "gentle soul" who loved visiting elderly residents and children.

4. Quasi Modo (2015 Winner)

Quasi Modo, a Pit Bull-Dutch Shepherd mix, won in 2015. Her "ugliness" was due to a severe spinal birth defect that left her with a hunchbacked appearance. Despite her physical challenges, she was celebrated for her sweet nature and the message that every dog, regardless of physical appearance, deserves a loving home.

5. Peanut (2014 Winner)

Peanut was a mutt with a wild, toothy grin and an intense gaze, whose unique look was the result of health issues he suffered as a puppy. His owner used his fame to advocate for animal abuse awareness, turning his challenging past into a platform for good.

The Most Common 'Ugliest Dog' Breeds

While the contest is open to all breeds, including mixed breeds, certain purebred dog types consistently appear in the competition, often due to their exaggerated features that can be seen as "ugly" by conventional standards, but are celebrated in the contest. These breeds often possess a unique charm and personality that makes them irresistible.

• Chinese Crested: The undisputed champion breed of the contest, winning the title numerous times. Their hairless bodies (or small tufts of hair), often accompanied by a distinct "crested" head of fur, missing teeth, and spotted skin, make them frequent contenders.
• Pekingese: Known for their flat faces, long, flowing coats that often obscure their eyes, and a waddling gait. Wild Thang is a prime example of a Pekingese winning the title.
• Chihuahua: Often appear in the mix category (like Mr. Happy Face). They are known for their large, protruding eyes, small stature, and sometimes nervous demeanor, which can contribute to an "ugly-cute" look.
• Neapolitan Mastiff: Known for their massive size, loose skin, and excessive wrinkles and jowls. Past winners, like Martha (2017), have represented this breed, showcasing their unique, droopy features.

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest serves as a powerful reminder that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. By celebrating the most visually unusual dogs, the competition champions the message that all animals deserve love, respect, and a forever home, regardless of their imperfections. The current champion, Wild Thang, is a fluffy, five-time competitor whose survival story and goofy charm make him the perfect ambassador for this heartwarming and important annual event.