© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Petunia, a two-year-old hairless English-French bulldog mix from Eugene, Oregon, has been named the “World’s Ugliest Dog” for 2025. She and her owner, Shannon Nyman, took home Rs 4.3 lakh in prize money at the annual contest held last week at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, The New York Post reported.
Petunia beat 10 other contestants, including Little Prince Wonder, an eight-year-old Chinese Crested, and Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua.
According to the report, Petunia was rescued from a backyard breeder and hoarder in Las Vegas, and brought to Oregon through Luvable Dog Rescue. Unethical breeding practices had left her completely without fur.
Despite her rough start, Petunia has a loving personality and is thriving in the spotlight. “I think she’s feeling great. She loves all the attention, she loves all the affection, all the humans petting her,” Nyman told The New York Post.
As part of her win, Petunia will appear on limited-edition cans of a popular beer brand.
Last year’s title went to Wild Thang, an elderly Pekingese who finally won after competing five times. This year’s runner-up was Rome, a 14-year-old pug, while third place went to Daisy Mae, a 14-year-old mixed-breed rescued from the streets at age two who has since lost her teeth, hair, and vision.
Now in its fifth decade, the “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest is less about looks and more about celebrating uniqueness. As the event’s website notes, it “celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique” and promotes adoption and animal welfare.
The tradition began in 1971 when Petaluma resident Ross Smith launched it as a fundraiser for the Old Adobe Association. Since 1988, it has been a highlight of the Sonoma-Marin Fair, the report said.
