The annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest may not offer the most flattering accolade, but Wild Thang certainly doesn't seem to mind. The eight-year-old Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon, emerged victorious at this year’s competition held on Friday at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Adopted from a dog shelter, Wild Thang has participated in five previous editions of the contest, finally clinching the title this year.
Wild Thang's journey has been marked by challenges. Diagnosed with canine distemper as a puppy, he faced the hindrance of stunted teeth growth and a muscular disorder in one of his legs. Despite these obstacles, he has become an emblem of resilience.
The World’s Ugliest Dog contest, organized annually for nearly five decades, promotes the importance of advocating for all animals and the value of adoption. Wild Thang's victory not only brought pride to his owner, Ann Lewis, but also comes with a cash prize of $5,000 and an appearance on NBC’s Today show.
Among the contenders, the runner-up was a 14-year-old pug named Rome, while a white-coated mixed-breed dog named Daisy Mae secured third place. Daisy Mae, rescued from the streets at age two, has overcome challenges including the loss of teeth, hair, and vision.
Other participants in the contest included chihuahua mixes, Chinese crested mixes, and pug mixed breeds. Notably, a 14-year-old Brussels Griffon/Pug mix named Freddie Mercury, though not awarded this year, serves as the official mascot of Petaluma's local ice-cream truck.
The judging panel comprised notable figures such as NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz, human rights advocate Linda Witong Abrahm, and California’s state treasurer, Fiona Ma. The event, conceived in 1971 by Petaluma resident Ross Smith, aimed to raise funds for the community's Old Adobe Association. Since 1988, the Sonoma-Marin Fair has hosted the contest, celebrating the unique charm and resilience of its participants.
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