An 8-year-old Pekingese dog has won the title of “World’s Ugliest Dog” in a contest held last weekend.
On June 24, in Petaluma, California, USA, the “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest took place with 8 dogs competing for the crown.
This annual event aims to find the dog with the most unattractive appearance in the world. Although it is not a prestigious title, the contest attracts a large number of participants, including many dogs with disabilities, illnesses, and unattractive appearances that have been rescued by new owners to compete.
Wild Thang, the dog crowned at this year’s “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest (Photo: Getty).
This year’s winner is Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese. Wild Thang hails from Coos Bay, Oregon, and has suffered from canine parvovirus since just 10 weeks old, which stunted its dental growth and caused muscle disorders in one leg.
Second place in the contest went to a pug named Rome, while third place was awarded to a mixed-breed dog with black and white fur named Daisy Mae. Both of these dogs are 14 years old and were discovered by a rescue team wandering the streets in poor condition, missing teeth, losing fur, and experiencing vision loss.
Rome – the second-place dog in this year’s contest (Photo: Getty).
The results of the contest were determined by a panel of judges and public voting on the contest’s website. The owner of Wild Thang will receive a prize of $5,000.
Winners of this contest sometimes make guest appearances in movies or music videos.
Wild Thang and owner receiving the $5,000 prize after winning the contest (Photo: Getty).
The “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest was first held in 1971 in Petaluma, inspired by local resident Ross Smith. The event aims to raise community funds to support rescue organizations and care for abandoned animals.
“This contest highlights the importance of promoting love for animals and the benefits of adopting abandoned pets,” a representative of the contest organizers stated.
