- Petunia, a rescue bulldog mix, wins the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California.
- The competition promotes shelter adoptions and celebrates unique pets.
- Runners-up include a pug with a protruding tongue and a nearly hairless Chinese crested dog.
A two-year-old bulldog mix named Petunia stole the spotlight at the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Santa Rosa, California.
The annual event, running for nearly five decades, serves a greater purpose beyond the spectacle. Organisers use the platform to promote dog adoption, spotlighting shelter pets and rescues with unconventional appearances.
From Shelter to Stardom: Petunia Named World’s Ugliest Dog 2025
This year’s competition drew an eclectic mix of canine contenders, each with a story as compelling as their appearance. Second place went to Jinny Lu, a pug whose permanently protruding tongue and expressive eyes won her $3,000. Third place was awarded to Poppy, a Chinese crested dog with large patches of bare skin and a confident stage presence, earning a $2,000 prize.
The judging process combined audience participation with a panel evaluation, where cheers, claps, and laughter helped determine crowd favourites. Points were awarded not just for unusual looks, but also for personality and stage presence, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Animal rescue groups and adoption agencies lined the fairgrounds with booths, offering information on available pets and resources for responsible pet care. Many attendees left inspired to consider adopting animals with special needs or unique appearances.
Petunia’s victory highlights the core message of the competition: every dog, regardless of appearance, is deserving of love and a permanent home. Her win underscores the transformative journey from rescue shelter to celebrated champion, proving that charm often lies in what makes a pet different.
Petunia’s triumph is more than a quirky title—it’s a reminder that beauty is subjective, and that unconditional love transcends appearances.
“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” — Coco Chanel
