World's ugliest dog crowned — see why a ‘gentle soul' bulldog named Petunia was tops: ‘Unique beauty'

New York Post

2 days ago

This dog is a little ruff around the edges.
A hairless English-French bulldog mix was crowned as the winner of the 2025 'World's Ugliest Dog' contest.
The 2-year-old pup named Petunia and her owner, Shannon Nyman, walked away with the top prize at the Sonoma County Fair event in Santa Rosa, California, on Aug. 8.
Advertisement
5 Petunia celebrates winning first place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Petunia won the $5,000 grand prize, beating out 10 other unconventional canines, including an 8-year-old Chinese Crested named Little Prince Wonder and a 13-year-old chihuahua named Nezumi.
In addition to the cash prize, Petunia will also be featured on limited-edition cans of Mug Root Beer, one of the sponsors of the canine event, and will appear on the 'TODAY' show on Aug. 11, the New York Times reported.
Advertisement
'I think she's feeling great,' Nyman said on TODAY. 'She loves all the attention, she loves all the affection, all the humans petting her.'
5 A 2-year-old pup named Petunia and her owner, Shannon Nyman, walked away with the top prize.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Petunia's personality is described as a 'gentle soul who adores other dogs, cats and people,' according to the Times.
And her looks are described as '… a mix between Yoda, she's a mix between a hippo, a bat — she's got it all,' NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz said on TODAY.
Advertisement
The pooch was rescued from 'the chaos of a backyard breeder and order' in Las Vegas before being moved to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue.
Once in Oregon, Petunia got the medical care she badly needed, including a spay and a surgery to correct an elongated palate, which makes breathing difficult and painful.
Petunia sadly doesn't have any hair because of her original breeder's unethical practices.
5 Petunia and owner Shannon Nyman were awarded $5,000.
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Advertisement
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been going on for nearly 50 years and 'celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,' according to the event's website.
'The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of 'ugly' dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!' the site said.
5 Jinny Lu, a 5-year-old pug who was rescued from Korea, won second place and a spirit award.
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Many of the dogs entered in the contest have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills, the organizers said.
'The contest speaks to the importance of advocating for the adoration of all animals and the benefits of adopting.'
In this competition, the unique features of some pups, such as wild fur, missing teeth, dangling tongues and wandering eyes are badges of honor to wear proudly.
5 Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested, competed in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
AP Photo/Noah Berger
Advertisement
In 2024, the top spot went to Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese with a dangling tongue, who had been competing for five years before running away with the crown.
Wild Thang survived distemper as a puppy and his teeth didn't grow in properly, which caused his silly tongue — a feature he was known and loved for. One of his front legs also constantly paddles around.