Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is now accepting applications

World's Ugliest Dog Contest: Submissions now open

By

Every summer, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest helps owners and canine connoisseurs appreciate what makes each and every dog unique. Whether they’re missing some fur or are hard of hearing, they’re no less lovable or capable of bringing us joy. And what’s not to celebrate about that?

This year, the Sonoma-Marin Fair will host their pup pageant on June 23. Each owner and pet will get the chance to walk the red carpet in front of judges, media, and (of course) doting fans. It’s the perfect place for any dog to shine!

Recommended Videos

Do you know what’s even cooler, though? The winner will be heavily rewarded! According to CNN, the first-place winner of this contest will earn $1,500, while the second-place and third-place winners get $1,000 and $500, respectively.

According to the contest’s website, “The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!” The event also advocates for pet adoption by providing information about rescues and showcasing adoptable pets.

A gray Chinese crested dog looks up while their tongue hangs out to the side
Veronika_Andrews / Pixabay

How to apply for the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

If you or someone you know has the world’s ugliest dog, you can use the link on the contest website to start your application. As CNN reports, “Interested applicants need to submit an entry form, short biography, photo, and proof of vaccination for their homely pooch before June 21.” Yep, you read that correctly — that’s only two days before the competition itself! That also means there’s plenty of time to decide whether to apply.

Related

“Prior to arriving for the contest,” notes the World’s Ugliest Dog website, “all the dogs must provide a veterinarian’s paperwork asserting that they are healthy.” The contest will also include an on-site checkup by a veterinarian to ensure that contestants are healthy enough to appear. Once that’s out of the way, you and your ugly dog can enjoy your 15 minutes of fame.

The World’s Ugliest Dog: Mr. Happy Face

If you’re lucky, your pup might just be crowned the ugliest dog in the world. What a feat! If they win the judges’ votes, they’d be following in the footsteps of Mr. Happy Face, an ugly yet adorable rescue pup who was awarded last year’s title.

The senior Chinese crested/Chihuahua mix was rescued at the ripe old age of 17, and his life only went up from there. He and his mom have enjoyed TV talk show visits, lots of media interviews, and even more treats. What dog doesn’t want that?

If you want to watch the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest this summer, don’t forget to catch it at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on June 23. You’ll be witnessing history in the making when the winner is crowned!

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
This is how you stop your dog from constantly begging at the table
If you give in, you're reinforcing this bad behavior
A Cavalier King Charles spaniel begs for food at the table.

Your dog is your best friend, and you've been through a lot together. From walks in the park to daily snuggles on the sofa, you share almost everything with your pooch. One thing you don't want to share? Your food. If you're noshing on chocolate or a full plate of spaghetti, you should know that many human foods are actually toxic to your pup and should never be shared.

But even if you're eating a pet-safe snack, like a turkey sandwich, you probably don't want your beastie begging for food every time you sit down to a meal. Have you ever wondered what prompts a dog begging for food when they get plenty to eat? We're here to dish out the scoop on why pooches beg and how you can get them to stop. 
Is dog begging a learned behavior?

Read more
These dog breeds are the favorites of celebrities
You might be surprised by some of the pups on this list
A Frenchie makes himself into a dog burrito by wrapping himself in a blanket

You might comb celebrity Instagram to get all the latest gossip, but have you ever taken a deep dive into their pet preferences? From Demi Moore's Chihuahua Pilaf to Lady Gaga's French bulldogs, famous folk certainly know how to dote on their pups and deck them out in style.

When Bored Panda reviewed news and reports on 2303 celebs and their pooches, they found some interesting trends among the stars. Here's the dog breeds actors, athletes, and musicians all choose (plus how closely that lines up with the breeds Americans love).
Celebrity top dogs are very similar to everyone else's

Read more
Love cold weather? These are the breeds that will join you in the snow
Look for a dog with a fluffy coat and a love of the outdoors
Two malamutes in the snow

When you look at a Yorkie or Chihuahua, it's impossible to imagine that these guys came from wolves. However, other pup pups seem happiest in the wild and seem right at home against a snowy field. While lots of dogs can't handle temps below 70, a few breeds thrive in the coldest months of the year. They tend to have bigger bodies, thick coats, and a penchant for the outdoors. If you're the type to enjoy winter hikes, sledding, or building a snow pup, consider one of these cold-weather dogs.

Siberian huskies

Read more