Santa Rosa, Northern California: The stage was set, the crowd clapped enthusiastically, and on the catwalk came some of the most unusual contestants imaginable. The World’s Ugliest Dog competition has been running since the 1970s and this year, one very special participant made history.
Petunia, a two-year-old Bulldog cross, impressed the judges so much with her short, stumpy legs, distinctive bulging eyes and wrinkled face that she was unanimously crowned winner. What might seem like a cruel joke at first glance turned out to be one of the most touching stories of the year.
Petunia's triumph
Owner Shannon Nyman from Oregon could hardly believe her luck. Smiling broadly, she accepted the $5,000 prize (approximately £4,300). “Petunia is the most beautiful creature in the world to me,” said the visibly moved dog owner.
The competition was fierce: Jinny Lu, a five-year-old Pug with a sideways lolling tongue, claimed second place. It was his second attempt, having gone home empty-handed in 2023. Third place went to Poppy, a seven-year-old Chinese Crested Dog with mostly bare skin and a few white tufts of hair.
More than just a beauty contest
More important than the awards or prize money was the message behind the event. The judges assessed not only the appearance of the dogs but also their personality and the audience’s reaction.
“It’s not about making fun of these dogs,” the organisers stressed. “We want to highlight their lovable and beautiful qualities.”
Many of the contestants came from rescue centres and had faced difficult times. The previous year’s winner, Wild Thang, a Pekingese with a storm-swept hairdo, contracted the distemper virus as a puppy and suffered physical deformities. His story touched millions and proved that true beauty comes from within.
A message of love
For Petunia, victory was just the start of her fame. She and Shannon were set to fly to New York to appear on NBC’s Morning Show. The once-unnoticed rescue dog had become a media star and a symbol for all “different” looking animals worldwide.
She is now an ambassador for the competition’s true purpose: every dog, regardless of its appearance, deserves love and a caring home. Abandoned animals deserve a second chance, too, even if they don’t fit conventional beauty standards.
