Aug. 18 (UPI) — A 6-year-old pug was honored with the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog at an annual contest in California.
Jinny Lu, who came in second last year, was dubbed the winner of the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.
The annual event, which aims to celebrate the unique beauty of dogs and promote adoption, marked its 50th anniversary this year.
“For 50 years, this event has celebrated the uniqueness of every dog while sharing an important message of compassion, rescue and acceptance,” Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, said in a news release.
Jinny Lu was rescued from the dog meat trade in South Korea and brought to the United States for adoption by a pair of California rescue groups.
She was adopted four years ago by Ukiah resident Michelle Grady.
Jinny Lu and Grady were awarded with a trophy and a $5,000 prize. The pug’s face will also appear on a limited run of Mug root beer cans.
An albino Chihuahua and Pomeranian mix named Pinky was this year’s runner-up, receiving a $3,000 prize. A Chihuahua mix named Otto came in third and received $2,000.