World's Ugliest Dog Contest: 8 Years Old Pekingese Named Wild Thang Crowned

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On a special Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, Wild Thang won. He is an 8-year-old Pekingese overcoming big health challenges named the World’s Ugliest Dog¹². This unique dog won after trying five times. He has a special walk and teeth problems¹. Wild Thang comes from Los Angeles and now lives in Oregon with a loving family. He won thanks to his toughness and his owner’s support for dog vaccinations¹³. Wild Thang’s owner gets $5,000, a year of Mug Root Beer, and a trip to New York City for the Today show on NBC¹³².

Key Takeaways

Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, won the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.
Wild Thang had competed five times before finally winning this year.
The contest took place at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.
Wild Thang’s owner, Ann Lewis, will receive a $5,000 prize.
The event emphasizes animal adoption and celebrates imperfections in dogs.

The Unique Journey of Wild Thang

Wild Thang is an 8-year-old Pekingese from Coos Bay, Oregon. He has overcome many health challenges. He won the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest⁴.

Surviving Distemper

When he was a puppy, Wild Thang fought canine distemper. This left him with no teeth and a hanging tongue⁴. But, he stayed strong.

Growing Teeth Challenges

Distemper made his teeth grow the wrong way. Even with these challenges, Wild Thang never gave up. His owner Ann Lewis made sure he was still happy and healthy.

Award-Winning Personality

Wild Thang has a special way in pet contests. Everyone loves how he sticks close to people and enjoys lying on ice packs. This made him stand out and win the 2024 contest⁴¹.

Ann Lewis got $5,000 for Wild Thang’s win. They also got a year’s supply of Mug Root Beer and a trip to the Today show in New York⁴. It was a great day because of all their hard work.

A Brief History of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest stands out among pet shows. It shines a light on dogs that look a bit different but are still loved. This event mixes heartwarming tales with humor, making it a hit.

Origin and Evolution

In the 1970s, the ugly dog contest was born. It hit its 25th milestone in 2013, marking decades of celebrating unique doggie features⁵. What started as just a fun event in Sonoma grew fast, bringing fame and fans from everywhere⁵. People come from all over the U.S. and the world, forming an unmatched group of pups⁵.

Key Highlights Over the Years

The show has had many standout moments. For instance, in 2014, Peanut, a pup that survived abuse, won big, highlighting the moving stories of the competitors⁵. Then, Martha, a huge Neapolitan Mastiff, took the top spot in 2017, showing the contest’s love for all dog kinds⁵.

Between 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the event each year, proving its popularity is still increasing⁵‌. The 2018 contest added a People’s Choice Award, making the fans’ role even more special⁵. Besides fun, the contest spreads the word about rescuing dogs and the importance of finding them homes⁶.

The contest paused for two years due to COVID-19 but bounced back strong in 2022, showing it’s here to stay⁷. Winners get cash, which often goes towards their pets’ health or helping more animals find homes⁷.

Take Wild Thang, the 2024 winner from Oregon, for example. Winning does more than bring home money. It celebrates these dogs and their owners’ dedication⁶.

Both the competition and its stars show incredible strength and the power of love for pets⁶.

Wild Thang’s Life Before the Crown

The story of Wild Thang starts in Los Angeles. There, a special Pekingese was born. This dog would become a champion of being unique.

Born in Los Angeles

Wild Thang’s early life was tough but full of spirit. Living in Los Angeles, he stood out because of his looks and energy. As a young pup, he battled distemper and other health woes. His teeth didn’t grow right, and he could only paddle his right leg³. But, Wild Thang’s unique traits and strong spirit made him different from the others.

Adopted Family in Oregon

Wild Thang found a special family in Oregon. They adopted him and gave him the love he needed to grow. In their care, his unique charm was recognized and supported. This family helped him face health troubles and cheered him on in competitions. In the end, he won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, thanks to their love and support⁸ and³.

Wild Thang’s Path to Victory

Wild Thang, the eight-year-old Pekingese, didn’t win easily⁹. It took years of trying before he won the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest⁹. This year, eight dogs joined the contest, showing the many dogs waiting for homes in shelters¹.

Wild Thang tried five times before winning this year¹. His never-give-up attitude and charm finally made him a champion. It shows how important it is to keep trying, even when it seems hard⁹.

Wild Thang’s win means a lot. His owner got a $5,000 prize because of their hard work¹. Winning took more than just looking different. It needed strength and a good heart. Rome, the second-place pug in a wheelchair, won $3,000. Daisy May, the third-place mixed breed rescue, got $2,000¹.

Many dogs, like Chihuahua mixes and Pug mixes, made this year’s contest special¹. Even Freddie Mercury, a dog with a unique look, won people’s hearts as Petaluma’s ice cream truck mascot¹. Wild Thang taught us to hope and never give up. His win means a lot to all dog lovers.

Details of the 2024 Competition

The 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest was at the famous Sonoma-Marin Fair. It’s a top place, welcomed 20,000 to 30,000 guests yearly during the event¹⁰. This time, eight dogs took part in the contest. Unfortunately, two left during the competition¹¹.

Location and Venue: Sonoma-Marin Fair

The Sonoma-Marin Fair was the perfect spot for the contest with its warm vibes. Wild Thang, a Pekingese who’s 8, seized everyone’s hearts. The fair draws many pet lovers, making it just right for this special event.

The Judges and Their Criteria

Judges like Gadi Schwartz and Fiona Ma looked at the dogs’ special features. Wild Thang, known for his long hair and sticking-out tongue, won many people over¹¹. They love it when dogs, especially those from shelters, show their beauty in unique ways. This helps others see how special these dogs are, supporting adoption¹².

Sponsors and Cash Prizes

Mug Root Beer made this year’s event more fun by sponsoring it. They gave out big prizes, like $5,000 for the first place¹¹. The winning dog gets to be on their special cans. And, Rome, a 14-year-old pug in a wheelchair, got a nice award too¹². Daisy May, a mix, won third and took home $2,000¹¹.

The Role of Ann Lewis in Wild Thang’s Journey

Ann Lewis is from Coos Bay, Oregon, and she is Wild Thang’s proud owner. She helped him win the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Her big heart and strong love for dog vaccinations made a big difference. She not only cared for Wild Thang but also taught others about taking care of pets.

Ann’s Dedication and Support

Ann showed Wild Thang her love from the very start, despite his sickness. Wild Thang faced canine distemper, making him look different with small teeth and a big tongue. Ann kept cheering him on¹. After trying five times, they finally won in 2024. This shows their never-give-up spirit⁶¹¹¹.

Advocacy for Dog Vaccinations

Ann goes beyond just caring for Wild Thang. She works hard to show others the value of dog vaccinations. Her story with Wild Thang’s overcoming distemper is a lesson for many¹¹¹. Her strong message reaches many, making her a great voice for pet health worldwide⁶.

“Ann Lewis’ unwavering support and advocacy for vaccinations have not only propelled Wild Thang to victory but also highlighted critical aspects of pet health.” — Veterinary Wellness Journal

What Made Wild Thang Stand Out

Wild Thang was very special at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest this year. His mix of funny dog traits won everyone over. Both judges and fans loved him for it.

Waddling Right Leg

Wild Thang’s waddling right leg was quite unique. It got a lot of looks during the contest. Long before, distemper affected his leg, making his walk special¹¹¹³.

Rogue Tongue

His rogue tongue was always out because of his teeth. It made him charming and unique. This made him a top pick for everyone, from the judges to the crowd.

Unique Appearance

Wild Thang had a face that was both sad and loveable. Many found his appearance and his personality winning. This won over the title for him this year. His owner, Ann Lewis, got a $5,000 prize for his big win¹¹¹³¹⁴.

The Impact of the Win on Wild Thang’s Life

Wild Thang won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Now, he’s not just any dog. He’s a famous, celebrated pooch. People love him for his looks and his story of beating hard times. This change has made Wild Thang happy and has given him new chances¹¹.

Newfound Celebrity Status

After his big win, everyone knows Wild Thang. People from all over love his story and his charm. He’s been on TV and famous shows like the Today show. His journey from being rescued to becoming a champion shows that any pet can have a great life.

Fundraising Activities

Wild Thang’s owner, Ann Lewis, is using his fame to help other Pekingese dogs. They are raising money for dogs in need. Their work shows that dogs everywhere should be safe and healthy. Wild Thang’s win has helped shed light on these important dog issues.

Upcoming Appearances

Wild Thang still has a lot to do. He’s going to be at many events and campaigns. These include pet shows and places raising money for good causes. At each event, Wild Thang shows how pets can make a difference in the world. His work helps keep the focus on pet health and saving animals.