The world’s “ugliest dog” competition, held in Petaluma, California, celebrates all dogs, including the less photogenic. This year’s winner, Wild Thang, is a Pekingese whose early bout with distemper caused his front teeth not to grow in. As a result, his tongue permanently hangs out of his mouth. Despite his appearance, Wild Thang is fond of people and other dogs. His owner used the platform to advocate for getting pets vaccinated.
The runner-up and people’s choice award went to Rome, a 14-year-old Pug who lives at a senior sanctuary. Rome visits people in hospice and brings joy to their lives with her friendly demeanor. In third place was Daisy Mae, a senior dog of indeterminate breed who enjoys chasing squirrels and sunbathing.
The contest aims to raise awareness about rescue dogs and show that even the ugliest dogs can be beautiful on the inside. The event highlights the importance of adopting pets from shelters rather than buying them from breeders or pet stores. It also encourages people to get their pets vaccinated to prevent illnesses like distemper that can cause permanent damage to a dog’s appearance and health.
