Ugliest Dog in the World 2025: Winner, Contest & Breeds

Most dog owners beam with pride over their pup’s adorable face, but a hairless Bulldog from Oregon just proved that beauty is anything but standard. This year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest turned Petunia, a two-year-old rescue, into a champion, celebrating the quirks that make each dog one of a kind.

Contest started: 1970s ·
2025 winner: Petunia the hairless Bulldog ·
Location: Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California ·
Prize: $5,000 and media coverage

What is the ugliest looking dog?

Official contest criteria

The World’s Ugliest Dog contest doesn’t rely on a single definition. Judges evaluate “natural ugliness,” personality, and crowd reaction — meaning a dog’s story matters as much as its face. According to the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association (official contest organizer), entries are judged on first impressions, unusual attributes, personality, and audience reaction. No costume or gimmick is allowed — the dog must be authentically, naturally “ugly.”

What this means: The contest explicitly rejects any form of animal cruelty or artificial enhancement. Dogs with health issues from breeding are not celebrated; rather, the event highlights unique genetics and rescue-background dogs like Petunia.

The implication: This redefinition of ugliness turns the contest into a celebration of survival and care, not deformity.

Photogenic oddity vs health issue

A key distinction separates breeds that naturally look unusual from dogs suffering from medical conditions. Hairless breeds like the Chinese Crested naturally lack fur and have unique features, while some entrants have survived distemper or other illnesses that affected their appearance. Wild Thang, the 2024 winner, survived canine distemper as a puppy, which left him toothless with a protruding tongue — a story of resilience, not breeding.

The pattern: Contest winners increasingly come from rescue backgrounds, shifting the focus from mere oddity to survival narratives. Petunia, for example, is a “perfectly healthy two-year-old hairless Frenchie + English Bulldog mix,” according to official contest records.

Who won World’s ugliest dog?

Petunia (2025)

Petunia, a two-year-old hairless French Bulldog-English Bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon, took the top prize at the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest on August 8, 2025. The contest awarded her a $5,000 prize and the honor of appearing on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans, as reported by (People). Her owner described her as “naturally naked,” a condition that makes her appearance instantly recognizable.

ABC7 News (San Francisco-based news outlet) reported that Petunia’s win was met with applause from the crowd at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The competition also recognized Jinny Lu as second-place and Spirit Award winner, and Poppy as third-place finisher, according to official contest results.

Other past winners

Past winners reveal a pattern: hairless and wrinkled breeds dominate. Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon, won the 2024 title after competing five times, as reported by BBC News. The 2024 runner-up was Rome, a 14-year-old pug in a wheelchair; third place went to Daisy May, a 14-year-old mixed breed rescue dog. Chinese Cresteds have won the contest nine times since 2002, according to (TIME).

The implication: A dog’s breed doesn’t guarantee a win — but unique looks combined with a compelling backstory create the strongest contender.

Who won the title of Britain’s ugliest dog?

Peggy the pug cross

Across the Atlantic, a pug-cross rescue named Peggy won Britain’s Ugliest Dog competition in 2023. Peggy became famous for her unusual features, including a large tongue that hangs from her mouth and a somewhat lopsided face. She was adopted from a rescue organization, reinforcing the theme that “ugly” dogs often make the most loving companions.

The catch: No official 2024 UK winner has been announced as of this writing, suggesting the competition may be returning with new entries in the coming year.

Age and background

Peggy’s age was not widely reported, but rescue records indicate she was an adult at the time of winning. Her story parallels Petunia’s: both are rescue dogs whose appearance generated public fascination and media coverage.

What are the top 10 ugliest dog breeds?

Six breeds, one pattern: the most “ugly” dogs share exaggerated features — hairlessness, extreme wrinkles, or pushed-in faces. According to Daily Paws (pet care publication), the ugliest dog breeds list includes Pug, Chinese Crested, Bedlington Terrier, Xoloitzcuintli, and Pekingese. These breeds frequently appear in “ugliest dog” lists due to their distinctive appearances.

Why this matters: Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs) face significant health risks including breathing difficulties, eye problems, and heat sensitivity. Prospective owners should prioritize health testing over aesthetics when considering these breeds.

What is the weirdest looking dog in the world?

Hairless breeds

Hairless breeds like the Chinese Crested and Xoloitzcuintli often top “weirdest” lists. Their exposed skin, combined with occasional tufts of hair, creates an alien-like appearance that photographs especially well — or poorly, depending on perspective. The Chinese Crested’s dominance in contest history (nine wins since 2002, per (TIME)) confirms that hairlessness is a recurring theme in ugly dog competitions.

Extreme brachycephaly

Extreme brachycephaly — the medical term for a pushed-in face — gives dogs like Bulldogs and Pugs their characteristic look, but at a cost. Brachycephalic dogs often suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can make exercise difficult and even lead to heat stroke. The BBC News noted that Wild Thang’s distemper-related issues, not breeding, caused his unusual appearance — a key distinction for animal welfare advocates.

The trade-off: Weird-looking dogs attract attention and win contests, but owners of breeds with extreme features must budget for potential veterinary costs and modified lifestyles (avoiding heat, limiting vigorous exercise).

World’s Ugliest Dog contest history and timeline

Four decades of winners, one pattern: the contest shifted from novelty to rescue advocacy. Here’s how the timeline unfolds.

The pattern: Each decade brought a new breed into the spotlight, but the defining shift is the contest’s pivot toward rescue stories. Petunia, Wild Thang, and Peggy all come from rescue backgrounds — not puppy mills.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• World’s Ugliest Dog Contest occurs annually at Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California (Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association).
• 2025 winner: Petunia, a two-year-old hairless Bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon (official contest page).
• Peggy won Britain’s Ugliest Dog in 2023 (multiple news reports).
• Daily Paws lists 17 ugly dog breeds, including Pug, Chinese Crested, and Xoloitzcuintli (Daily Paws).
• Wild Thang won the 2024 contest after five attempts (BBC News).

What’s unclear

• Exact first year of contest before the 1970s is not documented (contest page confirms “since the 1970s”).
• Specific $1 million dog claim circulating online is unverified with no official source found.
• Comprehensive list of all past winners is not publicly available in one place.
• Whether all contest years have been held continuously is unconfirmed.
• Exact criteria weighting across judges is not publicly disclosed.

“Petunia is a perfectly healthy two-year-old hairless Frenchie + English Bulldog mix living in Eugene, Oregon.”

— Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, official contest results

“She’s naturally naked,” said her owner, describing Petunia’s unique appearance.

— Reported by ABC7 News

For prospective dog owners, the implication is clear: adopt based on compatibility, not conventional looks. A “weird-looking” dog rescued from a shelter may become the most loyal companion you’ll ever know — and might even win you $5,000.

Petunia, a two-year-old bulldog mix, won the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest, a competition that celebrates unique canine appearances, as detailed in the 2025 Worlds Ugliest Dog contest.

Frequently asked questions

For rescue shelters and prospective adopters in the US, the takeaway is clear: promote unconventional-looking dogs as adoption candidates rather than novelties — the data shows they find homes faster when their stories are shared. The next contest on August 14, 2026, will likely feature more rescue champions, continuing the shift from simple spectacle to genuine advocacy.