Hairless bulldog named Petunia steals the world's ugliest dog crown, and set to appear on Mug Root Beer cans
Petunia's journey, from a rescue pup to pageant holder
Petunia's road to glory was far from glamorous. She was rescued from what insiders described as 'chaos,' a backyard breeder and hoarder situation in Las Vegas. Brought to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue, she received essential medical care, including a spay and corrective surgery for an elongated palate, which made breathing a struggle. Despite her rough start, Petunia has been called a gentle soul who adores everyone, dogs, cats, and humans alike.
Beating the best (or ugliest) of the best
This year's competition was no walk in the park. Petunia outshined 10 eccentric challengers, including Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested with high-fashion energy, and Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua with sass for days. Judges were tasked with celebrating the quirks, wrinkles, and 'unique beauty' of each contestant, because in this arena, imperfection reigns supreme.
The ugly crown with a beautiful purpose
Running for nearly 50 years, the World's Ugliest Dog contest is not just a quirky headline, it is a celebration of rescue animals and a reminder that a pedigree does not define a pet's worth. Many competitors are adopted from shelters or saved from puppy mills, making the stage as much about awareness as it is about applause.
Petunia's win means more than a trophy. Her image will soon pop up on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans, turning her into a four-legged pop culture icon. She is also set to appear on the Today show, officially cementing her status as the ugly-cute queen of 2025. And as far as we are concerned, that is one crown she wears perfectly, hair or no hair.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Hairless bulldog named Petunia steals the world's ugliest dog crown, and set to appear on Mug Root Beer cans
Petunia's journey to international fame is the kind of glow-up story you do not see coming. The two-year-old bald beauty from Eugene, Oregon, just claimed the top spot at the 2025 World's Ugliest Dog contest, held at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. And yes, her victory came with a cool $5,000 prize, bragging rights for life, and her face immortalised on special-edition Mug Root Beer cans. Petunia's journey, from a rescue pup to pageant holder Petunia's road to glory was far from glamorous. She was rescued from what insiders described as 'chaos,' a backyard breeder and hoarder situation in Las Vegas. Brought to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue, she received essential medical care, including a spay and corrective surgery for an elongated palate, which made breathing a struggle. Despite her rough start, Petunia has been called a gentle soul who adores everyone, dogs, cats, and humans alike. Beating the best (or ugliest) of the best This year's competition was no walk in the park. Petunia outshined 10 eccentric challengers, including Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested with high-fashion energy, and Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua with sass for days. Judges were tasked with celebrating the quirks, wrinkles, and 'unique beauty' of each contestant, because in this arena, imperfection reigns supreme. The ugly crown with a beautiful purpose Running for nearly 50 years, the World's Ugliest Dog contest is not just a quirky headline, it is a celebration of rescue animals and a reminder that a pedigree does not define a pet's worth. Many competitors are adopted from shelters or saved from puppy mills, making the stage as much about awareness as it is about applause. Petunia's win means more than a trophy. Her image will soon pop up on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans, turning her into a four-legged pop culture icon. She is also set to appear on the Today show, officially cementing her status as the ugly-cute queen of 2025. And as far as we are concerned, that is one crown she wears perfectly, hair or no hair.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
This hairless bulldog won $5,000 for being the 'world's ugliest dog'
A hairless English-French bulldog has earned a prize of $5,000 for being awarded the title of the world's ugliest dog. Petunia, the 2-year-old dog, won the World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair near San Francisco. Petunia, the two-year-old pup from Oregon, lives with her owner, Shannon Nyman. (X/@w3bsag3) The annual competition judges dogs on a few activities, but mostly focuses on their not-so-cute appearances. The contest raises money to help pet shelters find animals forever homes. According to its website, the contest is five decades old, and many of the contestants "have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills." "Dogs of all breeds and sizes have warmed our hearts and filled our lives with unconditional love. This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique." Petunia, the two-year-old pup from Oregon, lives with her owner, Shannon Nyman. According to reports, rescuers first discovered her in a chaotic backyard breeder and hoarding situation in Las Vegas. She was later relocated to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue, a nonprofit organisation. 'She's the most wrinkled 2-year-old I've ever seen,' one judge told the TV station. Her charming imperfections earned her the contest crown, a $5,000 prize and a spot on upcoming limited-edition MUG Root Beer cans, courtesy of one of the event sponsors. Following her win, Petunia appeared live on the Today show with Nyman.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
World's Ugliest Dog 2025: Hairless bulldog wins Rs 4 lakh cash prize; pics go viral
. A hairless mixed-breed bulldog named Petunia from Oregon has been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog for 2025 at the annual contest held in California on August 8. The 2-year-old English and French bulldog mix, owned by Shannon Nyman, took home the prestigious title along with a cash prize of $5,000. The unique competition, which celebrates unconventional canine beauty, drew contestants from various regions to showcase their distinctively appearing dogs. Petunia's hairless appearance and mixed bulldog heritage set her apart from other participants in this year's event. The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been a beloved tradition in California for 50 years, attracting international attention and participants. The competition aims to promote adoption and celebrate dogs regardless of their physical appearance. Many of the dogs entered in the contest have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills, the organizers told NY Post. Petunia's victory brings attention to both English and French bulldog breeds, highlighting the diverse characteristics that can emerge from mixed breeding. The hairless feature, while unusual for bulldogs, became a defining characteristic that caught the judges'timesofin Nyman, a resident of Oregon, entered her pet into the competition, showcasing Petunia's distinctive appearance to the judges and audience. The substantial cash prize of $5,000 (equivalent to over 4 lakh rupees) rewards both the owner and her unique companion.
