Dog with the least appealing appearance, recognized as the World's Ugliest, is from Oregon, at the Sonoma County Fair event
Petunia, a 2-year-old hairless English-French bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon, has been crowned the winner of the 2023 World's Ugliest Dog Contest. The competition, hosted by the 4th District Agricultural Association and sponsored by MUG Root Beer, took place at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, on Friday evening.
Petunia's distinctive appearance, characterised by her short, stunted legs and wrinkled face, earned her the title. She was rescued and is owned by Shannon Nyman, who accepted the $5,000 prize on her behalf.
The contest serves as a reminder to advocate for the "adoration of all animals and the benefits of adopting." Many of the contestants in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest were rescues themselves, including Jinny Lu, a pug who came in second place. Jinny Lu, adopted from the Pug Rescue of Korea, has an affinity for local produce.
The event ended just after 7 p.m. with cheers and photos from the crowd. Many attendees swarmed the dogs, offering congratulations and a healthy dose of pats on the head and scratches behind the ears.
In addition to the prize money, Petunia and her owner will be flown to New York City for an interview on NBC’s “Today” show. Petunia will also have her own limited-edition merchandise sponsored by MUG, including T-shirts, dog toys, and a custom MUG root beer soda can.
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is an annual event in Sonoma County, beloved by audiences nationwide. Other contestants included Merle Haggard, a grumpy 4-pound mutt; Chula the Chupacabra from Foster City; and Little Prince, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested dog from Los Angeles, who is part of magician Christopher Wonder's magic routine and has performed at all 27 shows on his European tour.
Local nonprofit Dogwood Animal Rescue was honoured with a donation from MUG in recognition of their efforts in animal welfare. For more information about the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, contact Staff Writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or [email protected].
Petunia's owner, Shannon Nyman, described her as a "world class snuggler." Despite her unique appearance, Petunia requires a daily coconut oil and sunscreen skin routine to keep her comfortable and healthy. The World's Ugliest Dog Contest article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, Calif.) is the source of this information.
In the midst of Petunia's victory at the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, crowds gathered to celebrate, offering congratulations and affection to her in Seattle, where the news of her win sparked interest in the city's pet-loving lifestyle. As attention turns towards the upcoming interview on NBC’s “Today” show, Petunia will serve as a powerful symbol for the advocacy of pet adoption.
