World's ugliest dog contest won by Wild Thang
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Picture taken from the Sonoma-Marin Fair website.
The winner of the Ugliest Dog contest, Wild Thang, and his owner Ann Lewis
Wild Thang, an adorable Pekingese who is eight years old, was named the champion of this year's competition for the World's Ugliest Dog.
Taking place at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, this year's competition featured eight participants. The majority of these furry friends were once rescues from shelters before being adopted by loving families.
Wild Thang, hailing from Coos Bay, Oregon, has participated in the World's Ugliest Dog competition five times before, but this is the first time he has taken home the top prize.
Wild Thang has a one-of-a-kind appearance because he contracted canine distemper as a young puppy at 10 weeks old.
The illness stopped his teeth from growing, which caused his tongue to hang out, and also led to a muscle disorder in one of his legs.
The contest for the ugliest dog in the world has been happening for almost half a century. It honors the flaws that make every dog one-of-a-kind and extraordinary, as stated on their official website.
Wild Thang, along with his owner Ann Lewis, will be awarded with $5,000 and will appear on NBC's The Today Show.
A 14-year-old pug named Rome, who uses a wheelchair, won the second spot in the competition and was awarded a prize of $3,000. This was Rome's debut in the contest.
"I think it's great that the competition showcases dogs that are not perfectly flawless but still perfect in their own unique way," mentioned Michelle Grady, who owns Rome.
Yet another newcomer, Daisy May, a 14-year-old rescue dog with a white coat and mixed breed, earned the third-place prize of $2,000.
She was saved from the streets when she was two years old. She lost her hair, teeth, and eyesight.
Elizabeth Whitehouse, the owner of Daisy May, expressed her surprise at placing in the top three.
"I thought she would be a unique and charming dog, but it seems that others don't appreciate her appearance like I do," she commented.
Fans were able to vote online to choose a special dog to win the People's Choice Award, which was given to Rome, the second-place winner chosen by the judges.
The yearly competition highlights the significance of providing homes for all types of animals.
The competition is not about mocking "unattractive" dogs, but rather "celebrating unique characters and showcasing the beauty of these dogs to the world!"
The panel of judges for this year consisted of Gadi Schwartz, who is a correspondent for NBC News, Linda Witong Abrahm, a human rights advocate, and Fiona Ma, who is the Treasurer for California's 34th district.
This year's blog posts featured Chihuahua crossbreeds, Chinese Crested hybrids, and Pug blends.
One participant, Freddie Mercury, did not win a prize. He is a rescue dog who entered the competition for the first time this year.
Fred, known for his expressive face, works as a mascot for the ice cream truck in Petaluma.
He also goes to youth soccer matches and is a popular choice for birthday celebrations.
