The Unconventional Crowns: Meet Petunia, Wild Thang, And The 5 Most Recent Winners Of The World's Ugliest Dog Contest

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not a mockery of man's best friend, but a heartwarming celebration of the unique beauty, resilience, and personality found in all dogs, especially those who have overcome adversity. As of this current date in December 2025, the newest reigning champion is a two-year-old rescue dog whose unconventional looks and endearing spirit captured the hearts of judges and spectators alike, proving that true beauty is far more than skin, or fur, deep.

This annual event, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, has become a global phenomenon, transforming "ugly" into a badge of honor and a powerful platform for dog adoption advocacy. The competition shines a spotlight on rescue animals and purebreds with unusual features, reminding the world that every dog deserves a loving home, regardless of their crooked teeth, hairless body, or perpetually dangling tongue. The following is a deep dive into the most recent winners who have embraced their unconventional crowns.

The Reigning Champion: Petunia (2025)

The title of World's Ugliest Dog for 2025 was proudly claimed by Petunia, a two-year-old hairless English-French Bulldog Mix whose striking appearance and joyful personality won her the top prize. Petunia, a rescue dog from Eugene, Oregon, embodies the spirit of the contest by celebrating her differences and advocating for animal adoption.

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Petunia's Biography and Unique Characteristics

• Name: Petunia
• Year Won: 2025
• Breed: Hairless English-French Bulldog Mix (Bulldog Mix)
• Age at Win: 2 years old
• Owner: Shannon Nyman
• Location: Eugene, Oregon
• Prize: $5,000 and a coveted appearance on the Today Show.
• Unique Features: As a hairless mix, Petunia sports a wrinkly, spotted body that is both unusual and strangely endearing. Her "ugly" features are a testament to her unique genetic makeup, which she carries with confidence.
• Backstory: Petunia was rescued by her owner, Shannon Nyman, and her journey from a rescue shelter to the world stage highlights the contest's core message of celebrating all animals.

Petunia's victory not only secured her owner a $5,000 cash prize but also provided a massive platform to promote the importance of adopting rescue animals. Her win in August 2025 cemented her status as the current global icon of unconventional canine beauty.

A Look Back: The Champions of Recent Years (2022-2024)

The contest has a rich history of celebrating dogs with extraordinary features. The champions from the years immediately preceding Petunia’s win each brought their own unique brand of charm to the competition, often overcoming significant physical challenges.

Wild Thang (2024)

The 2024 winner was Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese whose fluffy, untamed coat and permanently visible tongue made him an instant fan favorite. Wild Thang had competed multiple times before finally claiming the title, proving that persistence pays off.

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• Name: Wild Thang
• Year Won: 2024
• Breed: Pekingese
• Age at Win: 8 years old
• Owner: Ann Lewis
• Location: North Bend, Oregon
• Unique Features: Wild Thang's distinct look is due to a muscular disorder in one of his legs and a lack of teeth, which causes his tongue to constantly dangle out of his mouth. He is also known for his massive, fluffy coat.
• Backstory: He had competed five times before his 2024 victory, making his win a heartwarming tale of a long-time competitor finally achieving his goal.

Scooter (2023)

In 2023, the crown went to Scooter, a seven-year-old Hairless Chinese Crested dog from Tucson, Arizona. Scooter’s victory highlighted the resilience of dogs with mobility issues, as he was born with severely deformed back legs that point backward.

• Name: Scooter
• Year Won: 2023
• Breed: Hairless Chinese Crested
• Age at Win: 7 years old
• Unique Features: Scooter's most notable feature is his backward-facing hind legs, a birth defect that requires him to use a custom-made cart or hop with his front legs to move.
• Contest Message: His story focused heavily on the importance of giving a chance to dogs with special needs, proving that physical challenges do not diminish a dog's capacity for love and joy.

Mr. Happy Face (2022)

The 2022 winner, following a two-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was Mr. Happy Face. This Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix charmed the judges with his incredibly unique appearance and joyful demeanor.

• Name: Mr. Happy Face
• Year Won: 2022
• Breed: Chinese Crested/Chihuahua Mix
• Unique Features: Mr. Happy Face has a distinct look that includes a crooked mouth, a perpetually winking eye, and a prominent white mohawk, contrasting with his mostly hairless body.
• Backstory: His owner adopted him from a shelter, and his name is a testament to his happy, resilient personality despite his unusual features.

The True Mission: Celebrating Unconditional Love and Adoption

While the name of the competition—"World's Ugliest Dog Contest"—might sound harsh, its actual mission is deeply rooted in compassion and advocacy. The contest, which has been held annually since the 1970s, serves as a powerful platform to promote the adoption of rescue animals and to celebrate the internal beauty of all dogs.

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Judging Criteria and Topical Authority

The judging process is not purely about which dog is the most "ugly" in a superficial sense. Instead, the panel of judges—often including celebrities, veterinarians, and animal advocates—evaluates the contestants based on three key criteria:

1. Appearance: This category focuses on the dog's unconventional features, such as unusual hair, crooked teeth, overbites, underbites, or unique body structures.
2. Personality: The dog's temperament, enthusiasm, and ability to charm the crowd and judges are crucial. The dogs who exude joy and confidence often score the highest.
3. Backstory/Adoption Story: A significant portion of the score is dedicated to the dog's history, especially if they are a rescue. The contest champions the message that even dogs who may look different or have special needs deserve a loving forever home.

The consistent appearance of certain breeds, such as the Hairless Chinese Crested and various Bulldog mixes, highlights the genetic predispositions for the "ugly" features celebrated in the contest, like sparse hair, skin issues, and dental deformities. Past winners like Sam (a three-time Chinese Crested champion from the early 2000s) and Sweepee Rambo (2016 winner) underscore the long-standing tradition of these breeds dominating the competition.

The event is a beacon for animal rescue organizations, proving that what some might consider a flaw is actually a unique characteristic that brings joy and worldwide attention. The contest is a reminder to potential pet owners to look beyond perfect symmetry and purebred standards and instead focus on the unconditional love and unique personality that every dog, beautiful or "ugly," has to offer. The champions—Petunia, Wild Thang, Scooter, and Mr. Happy Face—are global ambassadors for celebrating the perfectly imperfect canine companion.