The World’s Ugliest Dog title goes to Pekingese named Wild Thing – after judges can’t resist his crazy fur and lolling tongue

An eight-year-old pekingese with a muscular disorder has won the title many pooches might not want – being named the World’s Ugliest Dog.

Wild Thang, from Coos Bay, Oregon, who was diagnosed with canine distemper as a 10-week-old pup which prevented the growth of his teeth and caused a muscular disorder in one of his legs, won the title on Friday.  

Wild Thang, from Coos Bay, Oregon, who was diagnosed with canine distemper as a 10-week-old pup which prevented the growth of his teeth and caused a muscular propbin one of his legs, won the title on Friday.  

Eight dogs, who were adopted from shelters, went head to head for the title at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.  

Wild Thang’s owner, Ann Lewis, (pictured) will receive $5,000 for the win and will appear on NBC’s Today show

The unconventionally cute winner has a crown of grey frizzy hair and a tongue that sticks out of his mouth. 

The event has been running for over 50 years and according to the website it is not about ‘making fun of ugly dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters’.

The site notes that ‘the contest speaks to the importance of advocating for the adoration of all animals and the benefits of adopting’.

Organizers say the real objective is to show the world that ‘these dogs are really beautiful!’ 

The unconventionally cute winner has a crown of grey frizzy hair and a tongue that sticks out of his mouth

Ann Lewis held her dog Wild Thang after winning the World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair 

A white-coated mixed-breed 14-year-old dog named Daisy Mae, who was rescued from the streets at age two and has lost her teeth, hair and vision, took third place

Wild Thang’s owner, Ann Lewis, will receive $5,000 for the win and will appear on NBC’s Today show. 

She’s said previously that her dog is simply ‘glugly’, explaining ‘He is a healthy, happy Glugly (glamourous/ugly) guy.’

The runner-up in the contest was a 14-year-old pug named Rome, from Rohnert Park, California

The runner-up in the contest was a 14-year-old pug named Rome, while a white-coated mixed-breed 14-year-old dog named Daisy Mae, who was rescued from the streets at age two and has lost her teeth, hair and vision, took third place. 

Last year, a seven-year-old Chinese Crested named Scooter who narrowly avoided being put down after being born with deformed back legs won the title of World’s Ugliest Dog. 

A Chinese Crested dog named Scooter won the title last year, after he narrowly avoided being put down after being born with deformed back legs

Scooter, who was almost euthanized in his early years over his birth defects, swept the competition at the Petaluma after being compared to a ‘hairy hippopotamus.’

‘Today Scooter is not only surviving but thriving,’ his biography on the contest’s website said. ‘He has no idea that he is any different from any other dog.’