Wild Thang Wins 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest
In a heartwarming turn of events, Wild Thang, an eight-year-old Pekingese, has been crowned the champion of the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest after competing four times previously. The prestigious event took place on June 21 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, where Wild Thang triumphed over seven other canine contestants.
A Historic Win at the Sonoma-Marin Fair
Wild Thang’s victory comes with a $5,000 cash prize and a feature on a limited-edition MUG Root Beer can. This is a noteworthy achievement for the Pekingese, who has competed five times and placed second three times in 2019, 2022, and 2023 before finally taking home the trophy.
Judges Commend Wild Thang’s Charm
Judge Fiona Ma expressed her admiration for Wild Thang, stating, “He was a fan favorite … he’s kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride.” She added that his unique appearance and engaging personality truly “tugged at our heartstrings and deserved to win.”
A Journey Against All Odds
Wild Thang’s life story is both inspiring and poignant. Born in Los Angeles, he has recently moved to North Bend, Oregon. His early life was fraught with challenges as he contracted distemper from a foster rescue, which left him with permanent effects. Despite these challenges, Wild Thang epitomizes resilience; he remains a “healthy, happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy,” the Sonoma-Marin Fair reports.
Wild Thang’s journey also serves a greater purpose: he advocates for the vaccination of pets. Additionally, he has launched a GoFundMe initiative to help his fellow Pekingese in Ukraine find homes and improve their living conditions.
Celebrating the Unique Beauty of All Dogs
The Sonoma-Marin Fair insists that the World’s Ugliest Dog contest is not merely a spectacle but a celebration of the unique qualities that make each dog special. It aims to promote awareness about animal adoptions and the significance of loving and accepting all breeds, regardless of their appearance.
Other notable contestants this year included Rome, a 14-year-old one-eyed pug who secured second place, along with People’s Choice winner Daisy Mae from Lafayette, California, Mochi the Chihuahua-Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Poppy the Chinese Crested Dog.
For more details on Wild Thang’s remarkable journey, you can watch the video here.
