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A hairless English-French bulldog mix named Petunia was crowned the winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest on Aug. 8
She won $5,000 and the honor of appearing on limited-edition cans of Mug Root Beer
The contest, which has been taking place for nearly 50 years, “celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” according to organizers
A hairless English-French bulldog mix named Petunia has been crowned the winner of the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
The 2-year-old pup, from Eugene, Ore., and her owner, Shannon Nyman, walked away with a $5,000 prize — and of course, bragging rights — during the event at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 8.
Petunia will also have the honor of appearing on limited-edition cans of Mug Root Beer, a sponsor of the contest, and will make an appearance on the Today show on Monday, Aug. 11, per The New York Times.
The bulldog beat out 10 fierce competitors, among them Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested, and Nezumi, a 13-year-old chihuahua.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty
Petunia the dog receives her $5,000 prize at the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest on Aug. 8, 2025
According to the Times, Petunia was rescued from “the chaos of a backyard breeder and hoarder” in Las Vegas and brought to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue. There, she received much-needed medical care, including a spay and surgery to correct an elongated palate, a condition that makes breathing difficult and painful.
She is described as a “gentle soul who adores other dogs, cats and people,” per the Times.
The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been taking place for nearly 50 years. On the contest’s website, organizers said the annual event is “a testament that the pedigree does not define the pet.”
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Little Prince Wonder, a contestant in the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest
The light-hearted competition “celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.” Many of the contestants have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills, organizers said, helping to raise awareness for pet adoption.
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During the contest, the dogs, accompanied by their handlers, show off their “unique beauty” to the judges and fans. Some wear special clothes and accessories for the occasion.
“It’s a wonderful show of pageantry and pride,” organizers said.
In 2024, an 8-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang took top honors at the competition. The dog, distinguished by his wild and unruly fur, was competing for the fifth time when he finally nabbed the crown.
“Despite facing numerous challenges, including surviving distemper as a puppy, Wild Thang has emerged as a healthy and happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy,” organizers said in a press release at the time.
According to Wild Thang’s contestant bio, the distemper prevented his teeth from growing in, which causes his tongue to stay out.
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