‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ Contest Crowns New Winner

Petunia, a rescue dog from California, was crowned the 2025 winner of the “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest on August 8 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Standing alongside her owner Shannon Nyman, Petunia claimed the top prize in the nearly 50-year-old competition that celebrates unconventional-looking canines.

Why It Matters

The contest serves a deeper purpose beyond entertainment, advocating for dog adoption and celebrating the beauty in all animals regardless of their appearance.

The competition highlights rescue dogs and shelter animals, many of whom have overcome significant challenges including puppy mill backgrounds. This platform helps shift public perception about what makes dogs worthy of love and homes, potentially influencing adoption decisions nationwide. As organizers emphasize, the event demonstrates that “pedigree does not define the pet.”

World's Ugliest Dog contest — Petunia celebrates winning first place in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025.

AP Photo/Noah Berger

What To Know

The “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest welcomes canines of all breeds and sizes with unconventional appearances, following rigorous health protocols. All participants must provide veterinary paperwork confirming their health status prior to arrival, with additional on-site veterinary checks conducted before the competition begins, according to event details. The day features pre-contest entertainment, pet care information sessions, and adoption resources, creating a comprehensive celebration of animal welfare.

Participants often include animals with missing teeth, dangling tongues, fur challenges, missing eyes, and deformed limbs. Each contestant and handler take center stage to showcase their unique beauty to judges, media, hosts, and fans in what organizers describe as “a wonderful show of pageantry and pride.”

Animal rescue and adoption groups maintain booths on-site, providing information about adoptable pets and raising awareness for animals still seeking homes.

What People Are Saying

Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds Event Center: “For nearly 50 years, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been a testament that the pedigree does not define the pet. This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.”