You’ve probably seen the photos. A dog that looks like it was assembled from leftover parts, maybe a tongue lolling out at a permanent 45-degree angle, or a coat of hair that resembles a neglected dandelion. It’s easy to chuckle. But if you think the World's Ugliest Dog contest winner is just about making fun of weird-looking pets, you’re missing the entire point.
Honestly, this event is one of the most heartwarming things on the planet.
In August 2025, a hairless wonder named Petunia (affectionately called "Pinky" by those who know her) took the top spot at the Sonoma County Fair. She’s a mix of French Bulldog and English Bulldog. But here’s the kicker: she doesn’t have a lick of hair. She’s two years old, lives in Eugene, Oregon, and is basically the embodiment of why we shouldn't judge a book—or a pup—by its cover.
Meet Petunia: The 2025 World's Ugliest Dog Contest Winner
Petunia didn't just wake up one day and decide to be "ugly." Her journey to the stage in Santa Rosa, California, was anything but glamorous. She was rescued from a backyard breeder and hoarder in Las Vegas by the folks at Luvable Dog Rescue. When they found her, she wasn't "breathing easy" like she is now.
Because of poor breeding, Petunia suffered from BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). She had an elongated palate that made every breath a struggle. Her owner, Shannon Nyman, didn't see a "world's ugliest" candidate; she saw a soul that needed a second chance.
After surgeries to fix her breathing and get her healthy, Petunia became a snuggle expert. She beat out nine other contestants to win the $10,000 prize. That’s a lot of kibble. But more importantly, she became a face for the "unadoptables."
"The only thing ugly about Petunia is the way she was raised and treated early in her life," her rescue family famously said.
It’s a sentiment that echoes through the nearly 50-year history of this contest.
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Why We Are Obsessed With "Glugly" Dogs
Ann Lewis, who owns the 2024 winner Wild Thang, coined a term that I think is just perfect: Glugly. It’s where glamour meets ugly.
Wild Thang is a Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon. He won in 2024 after trying five times. Talk about perseverance. This dog survived distemper as a 10-week-old puppy. The virus was brutal. It stopped his teeth from growing, which is why his tongue is always out, and it messed with the muscles in one of his legs.
When he walks, he "paddles" with one leg. He looks like a sentient floor mop that’s seen some things. But he’s healthy, happy, and uses his platform to raise money to get Pekingese dogs out of war zones in Ukraine.
That’s the secret sauce of the World's Ugliest Dog contest winner circle. These aren't just "ugly" dogs. They are survivors.
The Judging Process (It’s Not Just About the Face)
You might wonder how a panel of judges actually picks a winner. Is there a ruler for tongue length? A "wonky leg" coefficient? Not exactly. The criteria are actually pretty specific:
- First Impression: Does the dog make you go "Whoa!" the second it hits the red carpet?
- Originality: Is this a unique kind of unconventional?
- Audience Appeal: How much does the crowd roar when they see those mismatched ears or that hairless belly?
- Natural Ugliness: This is key. The judges want to see traits that are just there, not groomed into existence.
It’s held every year at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. It’s a massive deal. We're talking 20,000 to 30,000 people showing up to cheer for dogs that usually get passed over at shelters.
A Hall of Fame for the Unconventional
Before Petunia and Wild Thang, there was a whole roster of "beauties" that paved the way.
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Take Scooter, the 2023 winner. He’s a Chinese Crested born with reversed hind legs. He was literally saved from euthanasia because a rescue group saw his spirit. He scoots around on his front legs or uses a mobility cart. He’s proof that a disability doesn't make a dog any less of a companion.
Then there was Mr. Happy Face in 2022. He had a white mohawk and a crooked grin. His owner went to the shelter and specifically asked for the "most unadoptable dog."
That’s a vibe we should all aspire to.
The contest started back in the 70s as a joke to raise money, but it turned into a movement. It’s now sponsored by Mug Root Beer (Petunia is actually going to be on limited-edition cans!), and it’s become a major platform for advocating for pet vaccinations and rescue adoption.
The Reality of Specialized Breeds
While we celebrate these winners, there's a serious side to the World's Ugliest Dog contest winner stories. Many of these dogs, like Petunia, are the result of "backyard breeding." When people try to breed for specific "cute" traits—like the extremely flat faces of bulldogs—they often end up creating dogs with massive health problems.
Petunia needed BOAS surgery just to breathe.
Wild Thang needed specialized care after surviving distemper.
The contest shines a light on these issues without being preachy. It shows the world that even if a dog has been "poorly bred" or has a permanent "wonky" look, they are worth the vet bills. They are worth the effort.
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What You Can Do Next
If you’ve fallen in love with the stories of Petunia or Wild Thang, don't just look at the photos and move on. These winners are ambassadors for a huge population of shelter dogs that are sitting in cages right now because they don't look like a "Lassie" or a "shining golden retriever."
Here is how you can actually make a difference:
- Check the "Long-Termers" First: Next time you go to a shelter, ask the staff which dog has been there the longest. Often, it's the one with a skin condition, a missing eye, or just a "weird" face.
- Support Breed-Specific Rescues: Groups like Luvable Dog Rescue or Pug Rescue of Korea (who helped 2024 runner-up Jinny Lu) do the heavy lifting of medical care for these specialized cases.
- Vaccinate Your Pets: Wild Thang’s "ugliness" came from a preventable disease. Distemper is no joke. Keeping your pets up to date on shots is the best way to ensure they don't have to suffer through the "survivor" route.
- Adopt, Don't Shop: It's the mantra of the contest for a reason. Most of these winners came from hoarders or puppy mills. By adopting, you're cutting off the demand for the kind of breeding that creates these health issues.
The World's Ugliest Dog contest winner Petunia is currently living her best life in Oregon, taking trail walks and snuggling with her cats. She’s a celebrity now, but to her, she’s just Pinky. And honestly? That’s the most beautiful thing about the whole thing.
Next time you see a dog that looks a little "off," remember Petunia. Remember that "glugly" is a badge of honor.
Practical Steps for Your Own "Unique" Pet Journey:
- Consult a vet if you adopt a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed to check for breathing issues early.
- Look into pet insurance specifically for rescue dogs with pre-existing conditions; some plans are more flexible than you'd think.
- Follow the Sonoma-Marin Fair updates if you want to enter your own "perfectly imperfect" pup in 2026.
The contest continues to prove that while beauty is in the eye of the beholder, love is unconditional—no matter how many teeth are missing.