Maybe it's the way his floppy pink tongue sticks out, or the way his tiny head and big, sparkling eyes shine like jewels beneath his long, curly brown and white fur, but there's something special about Wild Sun – and the judges agreed.
An 8-year-old Pekingese from Oregon took the title of “World's Ugliest Dog” on Friday, proving that tenacity can be rewarded even when you're, well, ugly. This was his fifth time trying to win the contest's top prize.
“His victory is a testament to his undeniable charm and tenacity,” the tournament said in a statement following Wild Tan's big win.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wild Tan's life got off to a rocky start, according to his biography (yes, there is a biography). As a puppy, he contracted distemper, an infection caused by a virus that attacks a dog's respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Though he barely survived, the biography notes, Wild Tan was permanently affected by the disease: “Because his teeth hadn't yet grown in, his tongue remained out and his right front paw flaps around the clock.”
Still, Wild Tan is a “healthy, happy, grumpy guy” who “loves people, other dogs, and especially his toys.”
According to his biography, like other beauty pageant winners, Wild Tan is also involved in important causes: He helps raise funds to relocate his fellow Pekingese dogs in Ukraine to safety, and has already rescued seven from war zones.
According to his Wild Sun biography, his “life purpose is to spread awareness of the need to vaccinate pets.” He recently retired to Oregon with his owner, Ann Lewis, who could not be reached for comment.
Wild Tan's Instagram account is filled with photos and videos of the “purring” dog, showing him in “goblin mode” with his big brown eyes staring intently as he samples food, and a huge storm of brown fur swirling around him.
California State Treasurer and pageant judge Fiona Marr said in an interview with The Associated Press that Wild Sun's tenacity touched people's hearts. “I think the fact that he was a bridesmaid and not the bride, is what really struck a chord with us,” she said.
“He deserved to win,” she added.
Amy Gutierrez, a sports journalist and judge for the competition, called the contest a “misname.”
“There are no 'ugly' dogs, and this event not only raises awareness for adopting rescue dogs, but also serves as a reminder that all dogs deserve to be loved,” she said in a statement.
According to organizers, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest dates back decades and serves as “proof that pedigree doesn't define a pet.”
Dogs of all breeds and sizes are welcome to enter the contest, which “celebrates the imperfections that make every dog special and unique” and encourages people to adopt rather than buy for their family pets.
“Many of the dogs competing have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills, placed in adoptive homes and placed in loving homes,” organizers said in a statement.
That message has resonated even more this year as the number of unwanted dogs has skyrocketed and shelters across the country are at or near breaking point: More than 359,000 dogs were euthanized in shelters in 2023, the highest number in five years, according to animal welfare group Shelter Animals Count.
“A shift from buying puppies to adopting homeless pets is becoming increasingly important to support struggling shelters,” the organization's annual report said.
The World's Ugliest Dog contest is sponsored by the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. The winner, Wild Son, will be featured on NBC's “Today” show Monday morning, have his gorgeous face emblazoned on limited-edition cans from the contest's new sponsor, Mag Root Beer, and take home the $5,000 grand prize.
“The World's Ugliest Dog competition continues to celebrate the beauty of personality and tenacity of these incredible dogs,” organizers said in a statement. “These dogs remind us that true beauty is not measured by traditional standards, but by the love, joy and perseverance they bring into our lives.”