6 days ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
