THIS is the "ugliest dog in the world." But you will love it for its 'from illness to fame' story

The eight-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang won the title of "ugliest dog in the world" in the US. The event was held on last Friday during the World's Ugliest Dog competition in California. Wild Thang has made five entries into the competition. Before winning first place this year, it came in second place three times, as per the reports of 'Sky News.' The contest, which took place at the Sonoma Marin Fair in Petaluma, recognizes unique and special dogs.

Wild Thang: From illness to fame

Wild Thang contracted canine distemper as a puppy, which led to lasting physical issues such as teeth that didn't grow in, causing his tongue to stick out, and a front leg that constantly paddles. Despite these challenges, he is a healthy and happy dog. Wild Thang has referred him to as a "gluggy" with affection, a mix of glamorous and ugly. Wild Thang and his owner, Ann Lewis, received a $5,000 prize.

14-year-old Rome comes second

A 14-year-old Pug named Rome came in second, and a 14-year-old rescue dog named Daisy Mae took third place.

With a history spanning nearly 50 years, the World's Ugliest Dog competition seeks to highlight the individual characteristics and quirky traits that set each dog apart. The purpose of the event is to highlight that ridiculing so-called "ugly dogs" is not the goal, but rather to celebrate the amazing personalities of these dogs and demonstrate how wonderfully lovely they are in their unique ways.

The event, sponsored by MUG Root Beer, offered a total prize pool of $10,000, with the top three winners also having the chance to be featured on a limited edition can of the root beer, as reported by Yahoo News.

FAQs:

Who is Wild Thang?
Wild Thang is an eight-year-old Pekingese who won the 2024 World's Ugliest Dog contest in California.

What is the purpose of the contest?
The contest celebrates dogs' individuality and shows that all dogs are special and beautiful in their way.