A new cub took the crown to ugliest dog in the world.
Wild Thang won 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California, on Friday.
Wildan 8-year-old Pekingese, has competed in the competition four times, placing second three times before finally taking first place this year.
The dog was born and raised in Los Angeles and recently retired to North Bend, Oregon.
Sumiko Moots/NBC News
According to his biography, Wild Thang contracted distemper as a puppy at a rescue shelter.
“He survived, but not without permanent damage,” his biography says. “His teeth did not grow, causing his tongue to stick out and his right front leg to paddle 24/7.”
Aside from his physical problems, Wild Thang is “a healthy and happy Glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy,” his bio says.
He and his owner, Ann Lewis, took home a check for $5,000.
NBC News’ Gadi Schwartz helped judge the 2024 contest, along with Linda Witong Abrahm, Brian Sobel, Amy Gutierrez and Fiona Ma.
Last year, a hairless Chinese crested puppy named Scooter took home the title. Scooter was born with deformed back legs and his breeder turned him over to animal control for euthanasia. He was rescued by the rescue group Saving Animals From Euthanasia, of which his owner is a member, and now uses a stroller to help him walk.
The competition has been running for almost 50 years, according to the competition’s website. Sonoma-Marin Fair, where the event takes place. The annual competition focuses on celebrating the uniqueness of all dogs and the benefits of adoption.
“The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is not intended to make fun of ‘ugly’ dogs,” the website says. “But have fun with some wonderful characters and show the world that these dogs really are beautiful!”
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