The 5 Most Unforgettable World's Ugliest Dogs: Celebrating The 2024 Champion And His Unbreakable Spirit

Every June, the world turns its attention to Petaluma, California, for an annual event that flips the script on traditional beauty pageants. The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not a competition to mock imperfections; rather, it's a heartwarming celebration of the unique characters, resilient spirits, and unconditional love offered by dogs of all shapes, sizes, and—most importantly—looks. This event, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, is a powerful platform for pet adoption advocacy, proving that a dog's pedigree or appearance has no bearing on its incredible heart.

The 2024 contest, held on Friday, June 21, 2024, crowned a champion whose victory was five years in the making. The winner's journey is a testament to the competition's core message: that every dog deserves love, regardless of its challenging start in life. This year's champion and his fellow competitors remind us that true beauty lies beneath the fur, in the triumph of spirit over adversity.

The Reigning Champion: Wild Thang's Inspiring Biography

The 2024 title of World's Ugliest Dog was finally claimed by Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon.

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• Name: Wild Thang
• Breed: Pekingese
• Age: 8 years old
• Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon, USA
• Owner: Ann Lewis
• Unique Features: A permanently hanging tongue, a perpetually frizzy and unkempt coat, and a lack of teeth.
• Backstory: Wild Thang contracted the viral disease canine distemper as a 10-week-old puppy while at a foster home. Although he survived the life-threatening illness, it left him with permanent neurological damage.
• Distemper Effects: The disease prevented his permanent teeth from growing and caused a muscle condition in one of his legs, which is the reason for his tongue's permanent position and his signature disheveled, "just-rolled-out-of-bed" look.
• Contest History: This was Wild Thang's fifth attempt at the title, having placed as runner-up in three previous contests.
• Prize: The winner receives $5,000, a trophy, and a trip to New York City for media appearances.

Wild Thang's victory is more than just a trophy; his owner, Ann Lewis, uses his platform to advocate for the importance of pet vaccinations, specifically against canine distemper, a devastating disease that is entirely preventable.

The True Purpose: What the Contest Really Celebrates

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest, which has been running since the 1970s at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, is fundamentally a celebration of uniqueness and a powerful advocacy tool.

The event is a direct counter-narrative to traditional dog shows, which focus on rigid breed standards and perfect lineage. This contest champions the underdog, proving that a dog's worth is tied to its personality, its story, and the joy it brings its human family. The vast majority of competitors are rescue dogs, many of whom have overcome significant challenges, such as birth defects, injuries, or illnesses like canine distemper.

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The Judging Criteria: Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

The judging process is rigorous, yet entirely subjective, focusing on the dog's inner spirit and unique physical characteristics. A three-judge panel rates the dogs using the American System of Judging across several key categories.

Crucially, all contestants must provide a note from a veterinarian to prove they are healthy and that their "ugliness" is a natural feature, not the result of abuse or neglect.

The dogs are scored on the following elements:

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• First Impression: The initial reaction to the dog's appearance.
• Natural Ugliness: The degree of inherited or natural-condition-based unique features.
• Unique Features: This includes specific characteristics like a hanging tongue, mismatched eyes, a hunched back, or an unusual gait.
• Personality and Charm: The dog’s demeanor, enthusiasm, and connection with its owner.
• Audience Reaction: The crowd's cheers and applause often sway the judges, highlighting the dog's "star power."

The contest is divided into two main categories: Pedigreed and Mixed Breed (or Mutt), with the winners of each category then competing for the overall "Ugliest Dog" title.

The Unforgettable Runners-Up and Past Champions

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has created numerous canine celebrities over the years, many of whom have gone on to become ambassadors for pet adoption and rescue organizations. These champions demonstrate the enduring appeal of the "ugly-cute" dog.

The 2024 Runner-Up: Rome the Resilient Pug

Taking second place and winning the coveted People's Choice Award in 2024 was Rome, a 14-year-old pug from Rohnert Park, California.

• Rome's most distinguishing feature is his mobility aid—he uses an attached wheelchair on his hind legs, a common necessity for senior pugs who often experience mobility issues.
• His owner, Michelle Grady, has turned Rome's unique look into a force for good; Rome is a therapy dog who spends his time visiting patients at the Pug Hotel and other facilities, spreading joy and awareness about senior dog care.

A Hall of Fame of Unconventional Beauties

The contest's history is filled with dogs whose appearances might be shocking at first glance but whose stories are deeply inspiring. The Chinese Crested breed, known for its patchy hair, spotted skin, and tendency toward dental issues, has historically dominated the competition, but other breeds have also taken the crown.

• Sweepee Rambo (2016): A 17-year-old blind Chinese Crested who finally won after placing second the year prior.
• Martha (2017): A massive, 125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff known for her bloodshot eyes and incredibly large, sagging jowls that drooped over her face.
• Yoda (2011): A tiny, 14-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix whose wiry tufts of hair and protruding tongue made her a fan favorite.
• Scamp the Tramp (2019): A rescue dog whose dreadlocked, matted coat and wild, untamed look earned him the title.
• Princess Abby (2010): A one-eyed Chihuahua with a permanently curved spine and legs, a wonderful example of a dog overcoming physical challenges.

These champions, from the tiny Chinese Crested prone to conditions like patellar luxation and skin allergies, to the resilient Pekingese like Wild Thang, highlight the importance of embracing all dogs.

More Than a Contest: The Advocacy and Adoption Message

The lasting legacy of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest is its message of advocacy. Every dog that walks across the stage at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, whether a purebred with a genetic anomaly or a mixed-breed rescue with a unique scar, becomes a global ambassador for rescue and adoption.

The contest encourages potential pet owners to look beyond superficial appearances and open their hearts to dogs that are often overlooked in shelters. The stories of dogs like Wild Thang, who survived a serious illness, and Rome, who requires a wheelchair, serve as powerful reminders that special needs dogs offer just as much, if not more, love and companionship.

In a world obsessed with perfection, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest offers a refreshing perspective: that the most beautiful dogs are those that are perfectly imperfect, and their unique features are badges of honor. The competition is an annual, joyful reminder to advocate, adopt, and adore all pets, celebrating the wonderful character that defines a truly great companion.