Pekingese dog Wild Thang, a glamorous and ugly mix breed from Coos Bay, Oregon, won the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. This was Wild Thang’s fifth time participating in the competition with his owner Ann Lewis. The duo was thrilled to be in the running for the title and walked down the red carpet and across the stage with confidence.
Five judges including Gadi Schwartz of NBC News, Linda Witong Abrahm, Brian Sobel, Amy Gutierrez, and Fiona Ma were impressed by Wild Thang’s unique appearance during judging. The judges declared him as the winner after beating out seven other competitors.
Wild Thang’s distinctive looks are due to surviving a case of distemper as a puppy which left him toothless and with a permanently protruding tongue. He also has an uneven right leg which makes it challenging for him to walk long distances. Despite his appearance, Wild Thang uses his newfound celebrity status to raise funds for rescuing Pekingese dogs in war zones in Ukraine. He has successfully relocated seven dogs so far to the United States and Canada.
As part of his winnings, Wild Thang received $5,000, a year’s supply of Mug Root Beer and an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to appear on NBC’s Today show. His unique appearance and heartwarming story have touched audiences making him a true champion in his own right.
