Amidst the laughter and cheer of a lively crowd, one furry contestant stood out, not for his traditional beauty, but for his unique charm and resilience. This year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest brought heartwarming stories and unforgettable faces to the stage, but none more captivating than that of Wild Thang, the 8-year-old Pekingese who finally claimed his long-awaited victory.

In a whirlwind of cheering and ugly dogs, Wild Thang emerged victorious in the contest conducted at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. It was Wild Thang’s fifth attempt at clinching the title, making his win a long-awaited triumph for both him and his owner, Ann Lewis.

Eight-year-old Wild Thang recently won the Ugliest Dog award. Photo courtesy of Ann Lewis

“If he didn’t win, I wouldn’t have cared. I would go again next year because I just want to support the cause,” said Lewis, highlighting the point of the competition. The contest celebrates imperfections and advocates for animal adoptions, showing that pedigree does not define the pet. “We really want to shine a light on advocating for adoption, and bringing home a pet that doesn’t necessarily fit the norm,” said Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Even though something may be ugly in the eye of the beholder, it’s beautiful to others.”

Started about 50 years ago, the contest has become a staple of the four-day fair, which also features a carnival, car show, and farm “Olympics”. This year, approximately 39,000 visitors made it to the fair, with the dog contest being a major highlight.

The contest featured eight dogs, each introduced to the crowd with a brief biography. Wild Thang, described as a “glugly” guy — a blend of glamorous and ugly — stood out among the contestants. After an intense deliberation, a panel of judges, including NBC News correspondent Gadi Schwartz and California state treasurer Fiona Ma, selected Wild Thang as the winner.

“Wild Thang and Ann have been there for a number of years, and I think that persistence and never-give-up attitude really helped and pushed them over the edge this year,” Clendenen said.

Wild Thang triumphed over other notable contestants, including Rome, a 14-year-old one-eyed pug, and Mochi, a 9-month-old Chihuahua-Jack Russell terrier mix with a significant underbite. Other participants included Daisy Mae, a 14-year-old pup described as “the reigning queen of unconventional beauty,” and Ozzy, a 10-year-old terrier mix with a distinctive bedhead look.

Rome, a 14-year-old pug, came in second at the contest. Photo courtesy of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest

Wild Thang contracted distemper as a puppy, affecting his teeth and leaving his tongue permanently sticking out, Lewis said. Despite these challenges, Wild Thang remains a happy and healthy dog. “He is a happy dog,” Lewis said. “His tail is always going.”

Although Wild Thang is not a rescue dog, Lewis is deeply involved in the rescue community, having fostered and rehomed more than 50 dogs. She also offers free dog training classes and uses Wild Thang’s story to highlight the importance of pet vaccinations. The contest, sponsored by Mug Root Beer, awarded Wild Thang a $5,000 prize, which Lewis plans to partially donate to Friends of Coos County Animals and use the remainder for travel expenses.

Since winning, Wild Thang has enjoyed a surge in popularity and has gone viral online. .At the airport, he was recognized by many who wanted pictures with him. Hendrix Yancey, a 12-year-old actress from “Stranger Things,” met Wild Thang and couldn’t stop herself from posing with the newly-crowned pup. “I don’t think he’s the ugliest dog, I think he’s the cutest dog,” she said.

Ultimately, Lewis hopes Wild Thang’s story will remind people that appearances aren’t everything. “Even imperfect dogs can be perfect,” she said, reinforcing the event’s message that every dog deserves love and a home.