Meet Wild Thang, Voted World’s Ugliest Dog

Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese, has been crowned the winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog competition.

Held at the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, this year’s competition featured eight contestants — the majority rescues who came from shelters before finding their forever families.

Wild Thang, of Coos Bay, Oregon, has competed in five previous World’s Ugliest Dog competitions, but this is his first victory.

Wild Thang’s unique appearance is due to a case of distemper when he was a 10-week-old puppy.

The disease prevented his teeth from growing, resulting in his hanging tongue and a muscle disorder in one of his legs.

The World’s Ugliest Dog competition has been running for nearly 50 years and “celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” according to its website.

Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis will receive $5,000 and be featured on NBC’s The Today Show.

A 14-year-old pug in a wheelchair named Rome came in second place and received a $3,000 prize. It was the first time that Rome participated in the competition.

“I love that (the competition) represents imperfect, imperfectly perfect dogs,” Rome owner Michelle Grady said.

Another first-time entrant, a 14-year-old white-coated mixed-breed rescue dog named Daisy May, took home the third-place title and will receive $2,000.

She was rescued from the streets at the age of two. She lost her hair, teeth and vision.

Daisy May’s owner Elizabeth Whitehouse said it was a surprise to make it to the podium.

“I thought she would be the prettiest, ugliest dog, but it turns out other people don’t see the beauty in her that I see,” she said.

Voting was also open online for fans to select a special dog to receive the People’s Choice Award, which went to judges’ finalist Rome.

The annual contest highlights the importance of adopting all animals.

It’s not about making fun of “ugly” dogs, according to the competition, but rather about “having fun with wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are truly beautiful!” »

This year’s judges included NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz, human rights advocate Linda Witong Abrahm and California 34th Treasurer Fiona Ma.

This year’s entrants included Chihuahua mixes, Chinese Crested mixes and Pug mixes.

One of the contestants who missed out on an award, Freddie Mercury, is a lifeguard who made his competition debut this year.

Fred, who is described as having “a face like a forklift,” spends his days as a mascot for Petaluma’s local ice cream truck.

He also attends youth soccer games and is a special request at birthday parties..