The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest took place this weekend at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa in California - and if you’re anything like us here at Euronews Culture, the term “ugly” may be pushing it a bit far for the four-legged cuties who strutted the red carpet.
Still, as Serge Gainsbourg once said: “Ugliness is in a way superior to beauty because it lasts”... A hairless French bulldog mix named Petunia made a lasting impact on this year's judges, as she walked away with the $5,000 (€4,280) prize. And plenty of bragging rights.
Here are some of the highlights of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest:
THE WINNER: Petunia and owner Shannon Nyman win first place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest (THE WINNER: Petunia and owner Shannon Nyman win first place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest)Petunia celebrates winning first place (Petunia celebrates winning first place)A dog named Merle Haggard competes in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest (A dog named Merle Haggard competes in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest)Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested (Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested)Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua (Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua)Poppy, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested (Poppy, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested)Truffles, a 6-year-old micro bully (Truffles, a 6-year-old micro bully)Jinny Lu, a 5-year-old pug (Jinny Lu, a 5-year-old pug)"Where are you taking me, hooman?" ("Where are you taking me, hooman?")
The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is anannual competition which has been held since the 1970s. This year's editiontook place on 8 August 2025.
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