The cost to own a dog or cat can be extensive. It's about to get more expensive.

-



ugliest dog in the world :: Article Creator

Photos: Pekingese Is The World's Ugliest Dog - The Mercury News

It's a contest where beauty is in the eye of the leash holder.

At the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, an 8-year-old Pekingese from Oregon named Wild Thang finally became top dog.

Known for his unique looks characterized by a lolling tongue and unruly fur, Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis of North Bend took home a $5,000 check.

Wild Thang had finished second place in the contest three times in previous years.

"Wild Thang was a fan favorite," said Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer and one of the judges of this year's contest. "The fact that he had been competing for five times and only came in second, it's kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride. I think it really tugged on our heartstrings that he deserved to win."

Wild Thang was born and raised in Los Angeles until recently moving to Oregon. According to his bio, he contracted distemper as a puppy from a rescue foster, causing his tongue to stick out.

Apart from the physical issues, his owner says Wild Thang is healthy and happy.

The World's Ugliest Dog contest has been a highlight at the fair for almost 50 years and promotes adopting dogs from shelters, instead of breeders, especially senior dogs.

Second place went to a wheelchair-bound pug named Rome, with the bronze medal awarded to a mixed-breed rescue called Daisy May.

According to The Press Democrat newspaper in Sonoma County, who tried to interview Lewis after Wild Thang's win, prizes for this year's Ugliest Dog contest were contingent on her giving an exclusive first interview to NBC's "Today" show. Look for Lewis and Wild Thang to appear on the show live Monday morning.

— Staff and wire reports

PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A dog named Ozzie is held up during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A dog named Ozzie is held up during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  Freddie Mercury, a 14-year-old pug/Brussels griffon mix named for his unusual set of teeth, competes in the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)Freddie Mercury, a 14-year-old pug/Brussels griffon mix named for his unusual set of teeth, competes in the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Michelle Grady, of Rohnert Park, California, walks her dog Rome down the red carpet during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Michelle Grady, of Rohnert Park, California, walks her dog Rome down the red carpet during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A dog named Daisy Mae looks on during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A dog named Daisy Mae looks on during the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A Chinese Crested dog named Poppy looks on during on the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: A Chinese Crested dog named Poppy looks on during on the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)  A man in a Bulldog mask holds Freddie Mercury, a 14-year-old pug/Brussels griffon mix named for his unusual set of teeth, during the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)A man in a Bulldog mask holds Freddie Mercury, a 14-year-old pug/Brussels griffon mix named for his unusual set of teeth, during the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)  Spectators wear dog-themed shirts at the World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)Spectators wear dog-themed shirts at the World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)  Rome, a 14-year-old Pug, walks on-stage to compete in the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)Rome, a 14-year-old Pug, walks on-stage to compete in the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 21, 2024. Wild Thang, a Pekingese dog who had already entered the competition four times, finally won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)  Fans cheer for Rome, who took second place, at the World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)Fans cheer for Rome, who took second place, at the World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)  PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang with NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 21: Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang with NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz after winning the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair on June 21, 2024 in Petaluma, California. A Pekingese dog named Wild Thang won the 34th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest and was awarded $5,000. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 

Originally Published: June 22, 2024 at 1:03 PM PDT


World's Ugliest Dog Contest: Wild Thang Takes First Place As Winner - USA TODAY

Your browser is not supportedusatoday.Com

logo

usatoday.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.

Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on usatoday.Com


2023 World's Ugliest Dog Competition Winner: Scooter Wins! - 13NEWSNOW.com

The pup met some major challenges early in his life, but now he's "not only surviving but thriving."

Scooter has a frizzy crown of white hair like a mad scientist, a tongue that hangs out of his mouth, a wrinkly pot belly, and hind legs that appear reversed. He's just been declared the ugliest dog in the world — and that's not a bad thing. 

The 7-year-old Chinese Crested won the 2023 World's Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California on Friday, wowing judges with his unique looks and heartrending backstory. 

According to his biography on the contest's website, Scooter was nearly euthanized as a puppy when a breeder took him to a Tucson, Arizona animal control facility. He was born with two deformed back legs, and it didn't look like he would ever be able to walk or even crawl. That didn't stop a volunteer from rescue group Saving Animals from Euthanasia from seeing Scooter's potential, and his new life began.

"Today Scooter is not only surviving but thriving," his biography says. "He has no idea that he is any different from any other dog."

Scooter has always used his two front legs to get around, swaying back and forth and using his rear end as a "tripod." Because he tires easily moving around in his unique way, Scooter's owner, Linda Elmquist, raised some funds to get him a mobility cart, allowing him to "zoom around and check things out."

Elmquist said she's "overjoyed and incredibly proud" of Scooter's win.

"Despite the challenges he has faced with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination," she said in a statement to the contest. "He has become an inspiration to countless people around the world." 

Scooter competed with the likes of four-time competitor Wild Thang, a 7-year-old Pekinese known for his "glamorous/ugly" charm and protruding tongue, and Harold Bartholomew, a 16-year-old "curmudgeonly" chihuahua. They won second place and the community service-based "Spirit Award," respectively. 

In contrast to traditional dog shows, the decades-old World's Ugliest Dog Contest welcomes dogs of all breeds and sizes and raises awareness for animal rescues. Contest organizers say despite the name, it's all about beauty — just the less perfect, more unique kind. 

"The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of 'ugly' dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!" a description on the event's website says. 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Animals in the United States

-
Image
koala animal :: Article Creator Grim Statistics On Koala Survival Odds Records of koala admissions to veterinary hospitals in South East Queensland show euthanasia was the most common outcome, according to University of Queensland research. The research was published in Society and Animals. Ph.D. Candidate Renae Charalambous and colleagues at UQ's Faculty of Science analyzed the records of more than 50,000 koala sightings and hospital admissions between 1997 and 2019. "Diseases like chlamydia make up almost 30 percent of vet hospital admissions, followed by a multitude of threats stemming from habitat loss, including dog attack and motor vehicle strike," Ms. Charalambous said. "Only 25 percent of koalas rescued and admitted to hospital went on to be released into suitable habitat. "Many of the animals died before arriving at a vet hospital and those that did make it were often euthanized on the grounds of welfare,...
Read more

Best in the biz: The very best of Bill Flick

-
Image
kennel near me :: Article Creator Officer Who Accidently Killed His Own K9 After Neighbors Dog's Attacked Identified SAN ANTONIO - The officer who accidentally killed his assigned K9 when he opened fire during a dog attack has been identified. On Saturday, police responded to calls of a shooting in progress at a home near the corner of Lands Point Street and Hill Trails Street. Authorities say that upon making contact with the homeowner, off-duty SAPD officer Christopher Timmer, the officer reported that the neighbor's dogs had broken through a wooden fence, and attacked his assigned police K9. Police discovered that three of the neighbor's dogs had broken through a wooden fence, and began the officers assigned K9, Gordy. After unsuccessfully attempting to separate the dogs from one another, the officer opened fire on the dogs attacking his K9 to stop the attack. Despite fatally hitting two of the attacking dogs with gunf...
Read more