The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest just celebrated its 50th anniversary by crowning another unique pooch.
As PEOPLE reports, on Aug. 14, the 50th Annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, produced by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, took place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif. Once again, there was a parade of odd-looking, yet sweet, pups vying for the unusual honor of being named “The World’s Ugliest Dog.”
Jinny Lu the Pug takes the Crown
For 2026, Jinny Lu, a 6-year-old pug, outstrutted the other entrants. As the winner of this internationally known contest, Jinny Lu’s owner, Michelle Grady, will receive $5,000 furnished by MUG Root Beer, and the opportunity to replace MUG’s mascot, Dog, on their own custom, limited-edition MUG Root Beer can.
The beverage brand also provided $3,000 to the second-place winner, Pinky the Chihuahua/Pomeranian
mix, and $2,000 to the third-place winner, Otto, a Chihuahua mix.
“Jinny Lu was adopted through Pug Rescue 4 years ago, and ever since, she has been a constant source of mischief and joy,” MUG said in a statement.
Added owner Grady of her dog — who marked her fourth attempt at earning the title of World’s Ugliest Dog — “She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for.”
Dog the MUG mascot appeared to have no hard feelings about being temporarily booted from his root beer can, as he was there to help crown the winner.
Jinny Lu unseats Petunia the bulldog, who won 2025’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Before her loving owner, Shannon Nyman, adopted her, the practically furless canine was rescued from a backyard breeder in Las Vegas.
Celebrating Each Dog’s Individuality and Inner Beauty
While some may find the title of the competition cruel, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has never been about shaming pups.
Instead, the minds behind the contest see the event as an opportunity to highlight each dog’s individuality and inner beauty and to promote pet adoption by showing all the amazingly odd and affectionate dogs out there waiting to be loved.
“The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has never really been about finding the world’s ugliest dog,” Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, said in a statement.
She added, “For 50 years, this event has celebrated the uniqueness of every dog while sharing an important message of compassion, rescue, and acceptance. It’s incredible to see how a small local tradition has grown into an event that captures hearts around the world.”
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Photo Credit: Canine Caricatures / Shutterstock.com
