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The $5,000 Underdog: Meet Wild Thang, The World's Ugliest Dog 2024 Winner And His Heartbreaking Story

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The title of "World's Ugliest Dog" is not an insult; it is a celebration of the wonderful, unique, and often heartbreaking stories behind our most unconventional canine companions. On June 21, 2024, after five years of trying, an 8-year-old Pekingese finally claimed the coveted title, winning the hearts of judges and spectators alike at the annual competition held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.

This year’s champion is Wild Thang, a dog whose distinctive appearance is not a genetic trait but a testament to his resilience after battling a severe illness as a puppy. His victory, which came with a $5,000 prize, highlights the contest's true mission: promoting adoption and celebrating the beauty of inner spirit over superficial looks.

Wild Thang: Biography and Profile of the 2024 Champion

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is less about finding a dog that is visually displeasing and more about recognizing a dog with an endearing, unique look and a compelling backstory. Wild Thang, a seasoned competitor, finally checked all the boxes in 2024.

  • Name: Wild Thang
  • Breed: Pekingese
  • Age: 8 years old
  • Owner: Ann Lewis
  • Hometown: Coos Bay, Oregon
  • Winning Year: 2024 (after competing five times)
  • Winning Contest: World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair
  • Prize Money: $5,000 USD
  • Cause of Unique Appearance: Canine Distemper contracted as a 10-week-old puppy.
  • Key Features: Permanently protruding tongue, frizzy and unkempt coat that stands up, and a lack of teeth.

The Heartbreaking Backstory: How Canine Distemper Shaped Wild Thang

Wild Thang's signature look is a direct result of a traumatic event early in his life. At just 10 weeks old, while in a foster home, he contracted canine distemper, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease that affects a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.

While Wild Thang miraculously survived the illness, the virus left him with permanent, life-altering damage. The battle with distemper prevented his adult teeth from ever growing, leaving him toothless, and caused a muscular disorder in one of his legs, giving him a unique gait. The most striking feature, his perpetually messy, shaggy coat, is also a residual effect of the disease, preventing his hair from lying flat.

His owner, Ann Lewis, describes the dog as "glugly"—a perfect blend of glamorous and ugly—and has used his platform to raise awareness about the importance of pet vaccinations to prevent canine distemper. Wild Thang’s story is a powerful reminder that rescue dogs, despite their physical imperfections, possess an incredible spirit and capacity for love.

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest: A Celebration of Imperfection

The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not a mean-spirited event. Since its inception in the 1970s, it has evolved into a global platform for celebrating the joy and unconditional love that all dogs, especially those with unusual appearances or challenging backgrounds, bring to their families. The contest strongly encourages the adoption of rescue animals, with many past and current competitors being former shelter dogs.

Held during the Sonoma-Marin Fair, the event draws international media attention, turning the spotlight onto the unique personalities of these "unconventional beauties." The $5,000 prize money is often used by the owners to help with ongoing medical care, a common necessity for dogs with such unique needs.

What the Judges Look For: The Official Judging Criteria

Winning the title requires more than just a strange look; it demands personality, presence, and a compelling narrative. The judging panel, typically comprising celebrity judges and animal experts, scores the dogs on a specific set of criteria. This ensures the contest remains a positive and fun event focused on the dog's inner charm and the bond with its owner.

The scoring is based on five main categories:

  • First Impressions: The initial reaction to the dog's appearance.
  • Unusual Attributes: Specific, unique physical characteristics (e.g., a perpetually long tongue, mismatched eyes, extreme underbite, or a permanently standing coat, like Wild Thang's).
  • Natural Ugliness: The dog must be "naturally ugly," meaning no surgical or cosmetic alterations have been made to enhance its look. Owners must provide a veterinarian's note confirming the dog’s health and natural condition.
  • Personality: The dog's character, demeanor on stage, and overall charisma.
  • Audience Impression: How well the dog connects with the crowd and the level of audience applause.

Past Champions and the Legacy of the "Ugliest" Dogs

Wild Thang joins a prestigious list of champions who have redefined what it means to be beautiful. The contest has historically favored dogs with extreme features, often from the Hairless Chinese Crested and mixed-breed categories. These dogs become instant celebrities, using their fame to champion various animal welfare causes.

The contest's legacy is one of compassion, showcasing that a dog's true value lies in its heart, not its pedigree or physical perfection. The stories of these champions—from Wild Thang's battle with distemper to other winners who overcame severe abuse or neglect—serve as powerful endorsements for the "adopt, don't shop" movement.

Notable Entities and Past Winners:

  • Walle the Mutt (2013): A beagle, boxer, and basset hound mix with an unusually large head and a duck-like waddle.
  • Zsa Zsa (2018): An English bulldog famous for her pronounced underbite and drooping tongue.
  • Scamp the Tramp (2019): A rescue dog with a matted, wild coat and a unique gait.
  • Mr. Happy Face (2022): A Chinese Crested-Chihuahua mix who was rescued from a hoarder’s home.
  • Scooter (2023): A Chinese Crested with backward-facing hind legs.
  • Chi-Chi: A rare African sand dog who holds the Guinness World Record for the most wins (seven times).

The victory of Wild Thang in 2024 is more than just a title; it is a global moment of recognition for a resilient dog who has overcome significant challenges. His fame will undoubtedly inspire more people to embrace the "glugly" dogs in shelters everywhere, proving that every dog deserves a loving home, no matter how unusual their look.

The $5,000 Underdog: Meet Wild Thang, The World's Ugliest Dog 2024 Winner and His Heartbreaking Story
world's ugliest dog
world's ugliest dog

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