Beauty is a lie. Well, maybe not a lie, but it’s definitely narrow-minded. Every year, a group of people gathers in Petaluma, California, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair to celebrate the exact opposite of what you’d see at Westminster. We're talking about the World’s Ugliest Dog winner, a title that sounds mean but is actually a massive, tear-jerking love fest for the underdogs of the canine world.
In 2024, a Pekinese named Wild Thang finally took home the top prize. He tried five times. Five! Talk about persistence. Most people see a dog with his tongue hanging out permanently and hair that looks like a static electricity experiment gone wrong and think "poor guy," but Wild Thang is living his absolute best life. He’s a survivor of distemper, a nasty virus that almost killed him as a puppy and left him with some physical quirks.
Honestly, that’s the secret sauce of this whole event. It isn’t about being "ugly" in a derogatory way. It’s about celebrating "imperfection" and highlighting that even the weirdest-looking creatures deserve a couch to sleep on.
The 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Winner: Who is Wild Thang?
Wild Thang isn’t your average lap dog. He’s an eight-year-old Pekingese from North Bay, Oregon. If you saw him walking down the street, you’d probably do a double-take. His tongue hangs out of the left side of his mouth constantly because his teeth never grew in properly due to that distemper bout. One of his front legs also does this rhythmic paddling thing. It’s a neurological leftover from the virus.
His owner, Ann Lewis, has been his biggest hype woman for years. They traveled to the Sonoma-Marin Fair multiple times before snagging the $5,000 prize and the trophy. This isn't just a beauty pageant for the bizarre. It's a platform. Ann uses Wild Thang’s "celebrity" status to raise awareness about pet vaccinations. It’s a heavy message wrapped in a very fluffy, slightly lopsided package.
Distemper is preventable. Wild Thang is the living, breathing, glitzy-haired proof of why those shots matter.
Why the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest Even Exists
This thing has been running for over 50 years. Think about that. Since the early 1970s, people have been trekking to Petaluma to show off dogs that don't fit the "Golden Retriever on a suburban lawn" aesthetic. It started as a small, local joke but morphed into a global phenomenon.
Basically, the organizers want to advocate for the "unadoptable."
Many of these dogs come from shelters. They were the ones passed over because of a missing eye, a hairless patch, or a jaw that looks like it was put on backward. By crowning a World’s Ugliest Dog winner, the fair turns these perceived flaws into badges of honor. It’s a massive PR campaign for rescue animals.
The Judging Criteria (It’s Not What You Think)
You might think the judges just pick the dog that makes them go "yikes" the loudest. Not quite. There’s actually a scoring system, though it’s definitely more vibes-based than a standard AKC show.
- First Impression: That immediate "wow" factor when the dog hits the stage.
- Unique Features: Missing teeth, crazy hair, mismatched ears, or a tongue that simply refuses to stay inside the mouth.
- Personality: This is huge. A dog can look like a gargoyle, but if it has a "diva" attitude or a heart of gold that shines through, it scores higher.
- Audience Reaction: How much the crowd goes wild when the dog trots (or wobbles) out.
The judges aren't looking for "ugly" in a gross way. They’re looking for "unconventional." There’s a huge difference.
A History of Legendary Losers-Who-Won
Wild Thang is the current king, but he stands on the shoulders of giants. Take Scooter, the 2023 winner. He’s a Chinese Crested who was born with his hind legs reversed. He was literally scheduled to be euthanized as a puppy. A rescuer stepped in, and now he scoots around on his front legs with a little cart. He’s a miracle in a hairless body.
Then there was Happy Face in 2022. Another Chinese Crested mix. This guy survived a hoarding situation and a slew of health issues. He had a tilted head and a mohawk. His owner, Jada Espinoza, adopted him knowing he might only have a few weeks to live. He lived much longer, proving that love—and maybe a bit of fame—is the best medicine.
And who could forget Martha? She was a Neapolitan Mastiff who won in 2017. She wasn't hairless or tiny. She was just... floppy. Massively, incredibly floppy. She had so much excess skin that she looked like a melting candle. She was a crowd favorite because she just didn't care. She’d lie down on stage and fall asleep during the judging. Legend.
The Rescue Connection
The underlying theme here is adoption. Almost every World’s Ugliest Dog winner is a rescue.
Shelter dogs often get a bad rap for being "damaged goods." This contest flips that narrative. It shows that "damaged" can be beautiful, or at the very least, incredibly entertaining and loyal. When you see a dog like Scamp the Tramp (2019 winner) with his dreadlocked hair and tiny frame, you aren't seeing a "mutt." You're seeing a dog that found a person who loves him exactly as he is.
It makes people think twice before going to a breeder. Maybe they’ll go to the local shelter and look for the dog that everyone else is ignoring. Maybe they'll find their own Wild Thang.
Misconceptions About the Contest
Some people think the contest is cruel. They think we’re laughing at the dogs. Honestly? That couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’ve ever been there, the energy is pure joy. These dogs are treated like rock stars. They get steaks, they get pampering, and they get a platform that most "pretty" dogs will never have.
The owners are fiercely protective. They don't see "ugly." They see the dog that sat by them when they were sick or the dog that makes them laugh every single morning. The contest is a celebration of the bond between humans and animals, regardless of the packaging.
Also, people think the dogs are "made" to look this way. No. These are natural looks (or results of past trauma/illness). There’s no grooming to make them look worse. If anything, these dogs are the most natural versions of themselves.
The Impact on the Winners' Lives
Winning the title of World’s Ugliest Dog winner is like winning the lottery for these pups. They usually end up on The Today Show or Jimmy Kimmel Live!. They get flown to New York. They get brand deals.
But more importantly, they become ambassadors. They raise money for shelters. They visit hospitals. They show the world that you don't have to be perfect to be worthy of attention. Wild Thang’s 2024 win sparked a huge conversation about the Pekingese breed and the importance of responsible breeding and healthcare.
It’s not just a trophy. It’s a megaphone.
How to Support the Underdogs
You don't have to have a dog that looks like a gremlin to participate in this spirit. The core message of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest is about inclusivity in the pet world.
- Adopt Senior Dogs: They are often the ones with the "ugliest" features—cloudy eyes, missing teeth, lumps, and bumps. They are also the most grateful.
- Support Special Needs Rescues: Organizations like Muttville Senior Dog Rescue (which often has contestants in the fair) do the heavy lifting for dogs that need extra medical care.
- Vaccinate Your Pets: Wild Thang’s condition was preventable. Don't skip the vet visits.
- Look Past the Photos: When browsing Petfinder or visiting a shelter, don't just look for the "cute" ones. Spend five minutes with the dog that looks a little "different." You might find a soulmate.
The Reality of Owning a "Unique" Dog
Let’s be real for a second. Owning a dog with significant physical quirks isn't always easy. It can be expensive. Wild Thang needs specific care because of his dental issues and his leg. Chinese Cresteds (who win this contest a lot) need sunscreen because they don't have fur. They get blackheads. They need sweaters in the winter.
It’s a commitment. But every owner who has ever stood on that stage in Petaluma will tell you the same thing: it’s worth it. The quirks are what make the bond special. You aren't just owning a dog; you're stewarding a very specific, very weird little life.
Actionable Steps for Future Pet Parents
If you're inspired by Wild Thang or the long line of champions before him, here is how you can actually make a difference in the world of "less-than-perfect" pets:
Evaluate Your Lifestyle First
Special needs or "unique" looking dogs often come with medical baggage. Before you rush out to find a dog with a permanent tongue-out situation, make sure you have the budget for potentially higher vet bills. Beauty might be skin deep, but dental surgery for a lopsided jaw is pricey.
Volunteer at a Shelter
If you aren't ready to adopt, volunteer. Specifically, ask to work with the "long-term residents." These are usually the dogs that aren't getting adopted because of their looks or age. Giving them some social time makes them more adoptable.
Spread the Word
Follow the World’s Ugliest Dog winner accounts on social media. Share their stories. The more people see these dogs being loved and celebrated, the more the "stigma" of having a weird-looking pet fades away.
Donate to the Sonoma-Marin Fair Foundation
This organization helps keep the contest going and supports the various animal charities associated with it. Your money goes directly toward promoting animal welfare and the "adopt, don't shop" message.
Ultimately, the World’s Ugliest Dog contest isn't about being ugly at all. It’s a giant, televised middle finger to perfectionism. It reminds us that we’re all a little bit broken, a little bit lopsided, and a little bit "ugly" to someone—and that’s exactly why we’re worth loving. Wild Thang didn't win because he's a freak of nature; he won because he’s a masterpiece of survival and personality.
Go out and find your own masterpiece. They’re usually the ones at the back of the kennel, waiting for someone to notice their inner beauty.