The winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog in Petaluma, California is a Pekinese breed called Wild Thang.
The dog, which had been a runner-up in 3 previous editions, took home the prize check for its appearance, judged to be the most unpleasant at the show.
Winning Dog is Pekinese
Pekinese dogs are a Chinese breed with a distinctive gait and a small, robust-looking body.
They often suffer from health problems, but all dogs at the show are required to be checked by a vet before they can be entered into any World’s Ugliest Dog competitions.
Distinctive Appearance
Wild Thang’s (pictured) victory was aided by his distinctive appearance, with a long, droopy tongue and matted fur.
According to his entry, Wild Thang’s tongue is due to him contracting distemper, a serious, full-body viral infection affecting dogs and cats, as a puppy.
Competition’s Rich History
The World’s Ugliest Dog competition has been held for over 50 years, but the title of World’s Ugliest Dog has only been trademarked since 2009.
As media attention on the contest has grown, so too has the prize for the owner of the less-than-photogenic canine.
A Celebration of Diversity
The competition isn’t intended as a sneer at the unpleasant appearance of some unfortunate dogs.
On the contrary, it’s supposed to be a celebration of the diversity between dogs, even those of the same breed. Last year’s winner, a Chinese Crested, had reversed hind legs and used a mobility cart.
The Contest is Supposed to Promote Adoption
Another aim of the competition is to promote the adoption of older, neglected dogs from shelters.
Many of the previous winners first met their owner at a shelter. The third placed runner-up of this year’s edition, Daisy Mae, was rescued from the street and had lost her sight, hair and teeth.
Previous Winners
Previous winners have been a mix of both pure and mixed breed dogs, and the competition holds a preliminary event separating these two types of dogs.
Aside from last year’s impaired Chinese Crested, previous winners include an English bulldog with a very wide gait in 2018 and a mixed beagle, boxer and basset hound with a massive head in 2013.
Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Bride
This is Wild Thang’s fifth entry into the contest, and its near perennial position as runner-up (it came second in the past 3 events) may have contributed to its final victory.
One of the judges said that Wild Thang’s hard luck in missing out helped define their decision-making process, as it “kind of tugged at our heartstrings.”
Contest Hugely Popular
The contest has grown massively over recent decades, in both its media presence and with its live attendance numbers.
The fair now attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, all keen to see the canine stars up close.
Worthwhile Prize
If their dog wins the show, owners can expect a substantial prize for their entry.
The prize, once $1000, this year was $5000. The prize also includes a free trip to New York to be interviewed on NBC’s Today Show.
