Video. World’s Ugliest Dog contest crowns its 2026 winner
Rescued Pug Takes Top Honor at 50th World's Ugliest Dog Contest
Poinews.com – The Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, hosted the latest edition of a competition that has run for five decades: the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. This year's champion was Jinny Lu, a pug who earned her owner Michelle Grady a $5,000 purse.
A Second Chance from South Korea
Jinny Lu did not arrive in California by choice. She was pulled from the mountains of South Korea as a rescue before finding adoption and a new life stateside. Her win at the fair underscores the contest's core mission — drawing attention to the rewards of giving shelter dogs a home.
Runners-Up on the Podium
Finishing second was Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua cross. Third place went to Otto, another Chihuahua mix, who collected $2,000 for his showing.
A Polish Entry with a Bigger Message
Among the entrants this year was Clara, a 12-year-old Chinese Crested who made the journey from Poland alongside her owner, Marcelina Kasprusz. Asked whether the cash prize drove their participation, Kasprusz downplayed the money and reframed the stakes entirely.
"If the contest encouraged even one person to adopt a shelter dog, they had already won."
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