From Wild Thang to Zsa Zsa: See the 19 Ugliest Dogs in the World Ever

Mar. 15, 2025

Wild Thang.Photo:Courtesy of World’s Ugliest Dog

Courtesy of World’s Ugliest Dog

Let’s hear it for these dogs!The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California has been gathering some of the most unique looking four legged friends for more than two decades and these 19 dogs have walked away winners! From three-time champion Sam who appeared onCriss Angel’sMindfreakHalloween special to 2024’s winner Wild Thang who competed five times before finally securing the title, read on to learn more about all of the contests' big winners.

Let’s hear it for these dogs!

The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California has been gathering some of the most unique looking four legged friends for more than two decades and these 19 dogs have walked away winners! From three-time champion Sam who appeared onCriss Angel’sMindfreakHalloween special to 2024’s winner Wild Thang who competed five times before finally securing the title, read on to learn more about all of the contests' big winners.

01of 19Wild Thang (2024)Wild Thang.Courtesy of World’s Ugliest DogAfter entering the competition four years prior,Wild Thang proved that fifth’s time the charm in 2024. The 8-year-old Pekingese’s triumph was “a testament to his undeniable charm and resilience,” a press release for the event said.

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Wild Thang (2024)

Wild Thang.Courtesy of World’s Ugliest Dog

After entering the competition four years prior,Wild Thang proved that fifth’s time the charm in 2024. The 8-year-old Pekingese’s triumph was “a testament to his undeniable charm and resilience,” a press release for the event said.

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Scooter (2023)

Courtesy of WORLD’S UGLIEST DOG

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Mr. Happy Face (2022)

Ben Trivett

The annual competition is meant to inspire dog lovers to adopt and not shop while celebrating the pups who are less likely to be adopted based solely on how they look.

04of 19Scamp the Tramp (2019)Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesA former stray named Scamp the Tramp, with untamable hair, won the $1,500 prize during theSonoma-Marin Fairin Petaluma along with his owner Yvonne Morones from Santa Rosa, Calif.

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Scamp the Tramp (2019)

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A former stray named Scamp the Tramp, with untamable hair, won the $1,500 prize during theSonoma-Marin Fairin Petaluma along with his owner Yvonne Morones from Santa Rosa, Calif.

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Zsa Zsa (2018)

JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty

Two weeks after winning the competition, Zsa Zsa died in her sleep, leaving Brainard “in shock.” The owner and her daughter held a special farewell ceremony for their beloved dog.

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Martha (2017)

Justin Sullivan/Getty

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Sweepee Rambo (2016)

Sonoma-Marin Fair

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Quasi Modo (2015)

09of 19Peanut (2014)Sonoma-Marin FairThe 2-year-old mutt’s owner hoped the pup, a burn survivor, would bring awareness to an important cause with his win. “We’re trying to use him as a poster child for what can happen to animals who are abused,“Holly Chandler told the Associated Press. Chandler planned to use the $1,500 prize money to assist others with their vet bills.

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Peanut (2014)

The 2-year-old mutt’s owner hoped the pup, a burn survivor, would bring awareness to an important cause with his win. “We’re trying to use him as a poster child for what can happen to animals who are abused,“Holly Chandler told the Associated Press. Chandler planned to use the $1,500 prize money to assist others with their vet bills.

10of 19Walle (2013)Courtesy of World’s Ugliest Dog ContestWalle the Mutt, the 4-year-old with an unusually large head, humpback and duck-like waddle, won the top prize at the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. “His head has always been bigger than his body,” his owner, Tammie Barbee, told PEOPLE. “He’s an amazing dog. … He has a big personality. He wants to please people.”

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Walle (2013)

Courtesy of World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

Walle the Mutt, the 4-year-old with an unusually large head, humpback and duck-like waddle, won the top prize at the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. “His head has always been bigger than his body,” his owner, Tammie Barbee, told PEOPLE. “He’s an amazing dog. … He has a big personality. He wants to please people.”

11of 19Mugly (2012)Courtesy Kira Stackhouse/Nuena.comWhat’s in a name? For a dog called Mugly, it’s a whole lot of ugly. The 8-year-old Chinese crested, already one of the U.K.’s ugliest dog honorees, won big in 2012. He and his owner, Bev Nicholson, showed their British pride with Union Jack-embellished accessories.In 2016, Mugly won the 2016 Heroic Hounds award at the National Pet Show in London for his work as a therapy dog.

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Mugly (2012)

Courtesy Kira Stackhouse/Nuena.com

What’s in a name? For a dog called Mugly, it’s a whole lot of ugly. The 8-year-old Chinese crested, already one of the U.K.’s ugliest dog honorees, won big in 2012. He and his owner, Bev Nicholson, showed their British pride with Union Jack-embellished accessories.

In 2016, Mugly won the 2016 Heroic Hounds award at the National Pet Show in London for his work as a therapy dog.

12of 19Yoda (2011)Noah Berger/APThe force was with this 14-year-old mutt when Yoda snagged the trophy at the 23rd annual contest. Sadly, her reign was short-lived:She died just eight months later.After Yoda’s win in 2011, her owner, Terry Schumacher, said that her friends had been asking her for years to enter the pooch into the contest, but it took some convincing: “She’s not ugly — she’s cute!”

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Yoda (2011)

Noah Berger/AP

The force was with this 14-year-old mutt when Yoda snagged the trophy at the 23rd annual contest. Sadly, her reign was short-lived:She died just eight months later.

After Yoda’s win in 2011, her owner, Terry Schumacher, said that her friends had been asking her for years to enter the pooch into the contest, but it took some convincing: “She’s not ugly — she’s cute!”

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Grace Chon/Shine Pet Photos

14of 19Pabst (2009)Courtesy World’s Ugliest Dog ContestThings got downright unsightly when this 4-year-old boxer mix ran off with the 2009 title, beating out the favorite, the Chinese crested Rascal. Pabst’s owner, Miles Egstad, claimed, “I don’t think he’s that ugly!” while adding that his dog’s most compelling feature is Pabst’s underbite.

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Pabst (2009)

Courtesy World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

Things got downright unsightly when this 4-year-old boxer mix ran off with the 2009 title, beating out the favorite, the Chinese crested Rascal. Pabst’s owner, Miles Egstad, claimed, “I don’t think he’s that ugly!” while adding that his dog’s most compelling feature is Pabst’s underbite.

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Gus (2007)

He’s not winking! The one-eyed Chinese crested from St. Petersburg, Fla., strutted his stuff (on just three legs!) and took home a $1,600 cash prize.

16of 19Elwood (2007)Ben Margot/APThat’s a Mohawk to remember! The 2-year-old Chinese crested’s mane was immortalized in achildren’s bookafter his win.Sadly, Elwood died in November 2013 when he was 8 years old.

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Elwood (2007)

Ben Margot/AP

That’s a Mohawk to remember! The 2-year-old Chinese crested’s mane was immortalized in achildren’s bookafter his win.

Sadly, Elwood died in November 2013 when he was 8 years old.

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Archie (2006)

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F (2003–2005)

Rafael Maldonado/AP

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Rascal (2002)

source: people.com