5 Shocking Revelations About Wild Thang, The World's Ugliest Dog 2024 Winner

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has once again captured global attention, proving that true beauty is found in the most unique and imperfect packages. The 2024 title was awarded to a dog who had been a perennial runner-up, finally achieving the coveted crown on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the annual event held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. The winner, an 8-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang, is more than just a dog with a distinctive look; he is a furry ambassador for a critical cause, his appearance a direct result of a devastating illness he suffered as a puppy. This year's contest, sponsored by MUG Root Beer, celebrated the wonderful characters of all the competitors while raising awareness for pet adoption and the vital importance of animal vaccinations.

Wild Thang: A Biography of the 2024 Champion

Wild Thang's journey to the top of the "ugliest" dog world is a testament to resilience and the power of a loving owner. His unique features, which ultimately earned him the $5,000 grand prize, tell a story of survival.

• Name: Wild Thang
• Breed: Pekingese
• Age: 8 years old
• Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon
• Owner: Ann Lewis
• Contest History: Five-time competitor; previously placed second multiple times before winning the 2024 title.
• Distinguishing Features: A perpetually lolling tongue, no teeth, and a "wonky" right leg.
• Cause of Unique Appearance: Contracted canine distemper as a 10-week-old puppy, which stunted the growth of his teeth and caused a muscular disorder.
• Mission: To raise awareness and funds for pet vaccinations globally.

The Heartbreaking Reason Behind Wild Thang’s Look

Wild Thang's appearance—a shaggy coat that often obscures his eyes, a protruding tongue that never fits back in his mouth, and a gait affected by a limp—is not a genetic quirk but the result of a serious medical battle. As a puppy, he was one of the few to survive a severe case of canine distemper.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems of dogs. For Wild Thang, the lasting effects included permanent nerve damage, which prevented his teeth from developing and caused the muscular issues that leave his tongue constantly hanging out. His owner, Ann Lewis, has dedicated his public platform to promoting pet vaccinations to prevent other dogs from suffering the same fate.

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The judges, who evaluate the dogs based on their natural ugliness, personality, and audience reaction, noted that Wild Thang’s unruly fur and endearing, unapologetic weirdness made him the clear choice for the 2024 crown. His story resonated deeply with the spirit of the contest, which is less about mockery and more about celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the importance of rescue and adoption.

The Top 3 Ugliest Dogs of 2024 and Their Unique Features

While Wild Thang took the $5,000 first-place prize, the competition was fierce, featuring a variety of breeds famous for their unique looks, such as the Chinese Crested and various mixed-breeds. The total prize pool of $10,000 was split among the top three finishers.

1. Wild Thang (Pekingese) - $5,000 Winner

As detailed, Wild Thang's victory was a culmination of five years of competing. His fluffy, unkempt coat contrasts sharply with his exposed, lolling tongue, creating a look that is both bizarre and undeniably charming. His win highlights the contest's focus on dogs with a compelling backstory that transcends mere appearance.

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2. Rome (Pug) - $3,000 Runner-Up

The second-place spot was claimed by Rome, a 14-year-old, one-eyed Pug. Pugs are a breed often associated with pushed-in faces and prominent eyes, but Rome’s unique combination of age, a single eye, and a distinct lack of teeth gave him a particularly endearing, if unconventional, look. Rome also won the People's Choice Award, demonstrating his popularity with the audience.

3. Daisy Mae (14-Year-Old Dog) - $2,000 Third Place

Rounding out the top three was Daisy Mae, a 14-year-old dog whose specific breed mix was not prominently featured but whose age and overall "ugliness" secured her the third-place prize. The inclusion of older dogs like Rome and Daisy Mae underscores the contest's commitment to celebrating senior pets and those often overlooked in shelters due to their age or physical challenges.

The Legacy of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, held annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, has been running since the 1970s and is much more than a novelty act. It serves as a powerful platform to advocate for animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the idea that every dog, regardless of its physical appearance, deserves a loving home.

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The contest routinely features breeds and mixes with common "ugly" characteristics, such as severe underbites, alopecia (hair loss), and unusual skeletal structures. Past champions have included Scooter (the 2023 winner, a Chinese Crested with backward hind legs), Quasi Modo (the 2015 winner with a spinal birth defect that gave him a hunchback), and Zsa Zsa (a 2018 English Bulldog with an extremely long tongue).

The Chinese Crested breed, known for its hairless body and tufts of fur on its head and paws, has historically dominated the competition, winning the title nine times since 2002. However, Wild Thang’s victory in 2024 with his shaggy Pekingese coat proves that the judges are looking for a unique combination of character, backstory, and visual distinctiveness, rather than just the typical hairless dog look.

The message remains clear: the competition’s true purpose is to encourage people to adopt pets from shelters, promoting the idea that a dog's character and heart are far more important than its looks. Wild Thang, the resilient Pekingese, is now the world's most famous example of this beautiful truth.