The Unconventional Icons: Meet The World's Ugliest Dog Contest Winners Of 2025, 2024, And 2023
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has transcended its quirky name to become a beloved annual celebration of unique beauty, unconditional love, and the power of dog adoption. As of , the contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, continues its nearly 50-year tradition of honoring the unconventional canines who win hearts with their charming imperfections and inspiring rescue stories. This is not a mockery of "ugly" dogs, but a powerful platform to advocate for pets that might otherwise be overlooked in shelters, proving that a loving spirit trumps a perfect pedigree every single time.
The latest champions from the 2025, 2024, and 2023 contests are a testament to this mission, each possessing a distinct look and a powerful narrative that challenges traditional standards of canine aesthetics. From a hairless bulldog mix with rolls of wrinkles to a Pekingese whose tongue permanently hangs out, these dogs have become global superstars for all the right reasons. Their stories are a poignant reminder that the most beautiful dogs are often those who have overcome the most.
The Reigning Champions: 2025, 2024, and 2023 World's Ugliest Dog Winners
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is a prestigious event where judges score contestants on a variety of criteria, including first impressions, unique physical attributes, personality, and audience reaction. The following dogs are the most recent titleholders, whose unique features and compelling biographies have earned them the coveted prize.
Petunia (AKA Pinky): 2025 Winner
- Name: Petunia (also known as Pinky)
- Year Won: 2025
- Breed: Hairless English-French Bulldog Mix
- Age: 2 years old (at the time of winning)
- Unique Features: Petunia is a "wrinkled wonder" with a completely hairless body, except for a small tuft on her head. Her skin is a tapestry of deep, exaggerated wrinkles, and her prominent underbite gives her a permanent, endearing scowl.
- Biography/Story: Petunia's story is a direct reflection of the contest's mission to promote adoption and challenge pedigree bias. As a hairless bulldog mix, she embodies the unique beauty found in mixed-breed and rescue dogs. Her owner, who celebrates Petunia's unconventional appearance, highlighted the dog's affectionate and playful personality, proving that her distinct look is merely a charming exterior to a loving soul. She was crowned the winner of the 50th annual competition, taking home a substantial prize and a trophy.
Wild Thang: 2024 Winner
- Name: Wild Thang
- Year Won: 2024
- Breed: Pekingese
- Age: 8 years old (at the time of winning)
- Unique Features: Wild Thang's most distinguishing feature is his permanently protruding tongue, which hangs out of his mouth. He is also known for his wild, unkempt mane of hair that often obscures his eyes, giving him a perpetually surprised and shaggy appearance.
- Biography/Story: Wild Thang's victory was a long time coming. The Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon, had been a perennial favorite and a runner-up in previous years, having competed in the contest five times before finally clinching the title in 2024. His physical issues, which contribute to his "Glugly" (glamorous/ugly) look, are the result of a severe case of distemper he contracted as a puppy. Despite his health challenges, his owner describes him as a "healthy, happy" guy who has inspired countless people with his resilient spirit. His persistence and unique charm finally paid off, making him a true underdog champion.
Scooter: 2023 Winner
- Name: Scooter
- Year Won: 2023
- Breed: Chinese Crested
- Age: 7 years old (at the time of winning)
- Unique Features: Scooter possesses several striking attributes common to the Chinese Crested breed, including an almost entirely bald body with a shock of sparse, wiry white hair on his head, a long tongue that often spills out, and a wrinkly pot belly. Most notably, Scooter's hind legs appear reversed, a birth defect that requires him to use a mobility cart to get around.
- Biography/Story: Scooter was rescued from a shelter after being brought in by a breeder who could no longer care for him due to his unique condition. His owner, Linda Elmquist of Tucson, Arizona, adopted him and celebrates his resilience. His story is a powerful testament to the love and care available for special needs pets. Despite his mobility challenges, Scooter's cheerful personality and his distinctive appearance—including his "ratlike tail"—made him a heartwarming and deserving winner of the 2023 title.
The Philosophy of 'Ugly': Why the Contest Matters
While the title "World's Ugliest Dog" might sound derogatory, the event's underlying message is profoundly positive and crucial for animal welfare. For nearly five decades, the contest has served as a powerful advocacy tool, shifting the focus from physical perfection to the inner beauty and unique spirit of every dog.
Challenging Pedigree Bias and Promoting Rescue
The majority of competitors in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest are rescue dogs, many of whom were saved from kill shelters or found abandoned. The competition deliberately shines a spotlight on these animals, proving that dogs with unusual appearances—whether due to genetics, injury, or neglect—are just as capable of giving and receiving immense love. The prize money and the global media attention the winners receive are often used to support animal rescue organizations, further cementing the contest's charitable mission. This focus actively challenges the notion that only purebred or conventionally "beautiful" dogs are worthy of adoption.
Celebrating Unique Canine Traits
The judging criteria are specifically designed to reward the unconventional. Judges look for the dog's "inner beauty," their spirit, and the unique physical traits that make them stand out. The contest celebrates features that might be considered flaws in a traditional dog show, such as:
- Protruding tongues or underbites
- Sparse or wiry hair (like a Chinese Crested)
- Deformed or reversed limbs
- Exaggerated wrinkles and skin rolls
- Unusual fur patterns or patches
The Breeds That Define Unconventional Beauty: A List of 'Ugliest' Dog Types
While the contest crowns a single winner each year, certain breeds frequently appear in the competition and are often cited in "ugliest dog lists" due to their striking, unconventional features. These breeds often possess a unique charm and fiercely loyal temperament, proving that their unusual looks are merely a fascinating part of their overall character.
The Chinese Crested
Perhaps the most famous breed associated with the contest, the Chinese Crested is a frequent winner and contender. They come in two varieties—the hairless and the Powderpuff—but the hairless is the one most often seen on the stage. Their features include spotted skin, a "crested" tuft of hair on their head, "socks" of hair on their feet, and a wispy tail, often combined with a permanent tongue-out expression due to missing teeth.
The Pekingese
As demonstrated by 2024 winner Wild Thang, the Pekingese often makes the list due to its flat face, large, bulging eyes, and dense, lion-like mane. Their short legs and rolling gait add to their distinct, charmingly awkward appearance, often described as "Glugly."
The Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
A breed with a history dating back thousands of years, the Xolo is a hairless dog whose smooth, often wrinkled skin and pointed ears give it an almost alien appearance. Their lack of fur and unique body shape place them firmly on the list of unconventional beauties.
The Pug
Pugs are beloved for their wrinkly faces, curled tails, and deep-set eyes, but their brachycephalic (flat) skull shape and smushed-in nose often land them on "ugly-cute" lists. Their perpetually worried or grumpy expression is a source of constant amusement for their owners.
The Neapolitan Mastiff
This massive Italian breed is known for its extensive, loose skin, which forms dramatic, sagging wrinkles and jowls. Their imposing size and bloodshot eyes, as seen on past winner Martha (2017), give them a formidable and distinct look that is far from the conventional standard.
The Affenpinscher
Known as the "Monkey Terrier," the Affenpinscher has a shaggy, wiry coat and a face that resembles a monkey, complete with a prominent jaw and a slightly grumpy expression. Their unique, disheveled look is a perfect example of a dog whose "ugly" features are actually part of its endearing charm.
Ultimately, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest and the global fascination with these unique canines send a clear message: every dog deserves a loving home, regardless of its appearance. The champions of 2025, 2024, and 2023—Petunia, Wild Thang, and Scooter—are not just titleholders; they are ambassadors for adoption, proving that the most beautiful quality a dog can possess is a heart full of love.
Detail Author:
- Name : Wellington Adams
- Username : danielle.klocko
- Email : jankunding@waelchi.com
- Birthdate : 1983-04-27
- Address : 92106 Olson Run Apt. 219 Torpview, MA 60842-4807
- Phone : +1-309-661-0531
- Company : Franecki-Stroman
- Job : Personal Financial Advisor
- Bio : Doloremque eaque occaecati expedita doloribus assumenda nemo tempora. Magni vero in dolores dolores omnis rem sit amet. Incidunt sint et ex ullam sunt.
Socials
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/pacochap
- username : pacochap
- bio : Velit autem quia repudiandae velit cumque. Autem ut ut quia vitae.
- followers : 6886
- following : 523
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/phoebe_pacocha
- username : phoebe_pacocha
- bio : Officiis minima facilis ipsum distinctio dolores.
- followers : 3985
- following : 2943
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@phoebe_dev
- username : phoebe_dev
- bio : Et optio natus qui ex officia magnam. Praesentium quo sit ipsam qui quo vel.
- followers : 6392
- following : 407
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/pacocha1974
- username : pacocha1974
- bio : Ea ut ab aut accusamus ut eos laborum.
- followers : 1615
- following : 941
