World's Ugliest Dog Contest

Saturday, June 21, 2024, 6 p.m. at Sonoma Marin County Fair

Sonoma-Marin Fair
175 Fairgrounds Drive
Petaluma, CA
sonoma-marinfair.org
Free entry until May 17, 2024; $10 May 17-June 14, 2024

The annual world's ugliest dog contest is not about making fun of "ugly" dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful! Can the new contestants beat out the likes of a little squirt named Sweepee Rambo?

World's Ugliest Dog Contest: All dogs will be entered into one large class, rather than being separated by pedigree or mutt. | Grand Prize of $1,500 for first place, as well as second place and third place trophies and cash awards. | Luckiest Dog is based in part on your dog's biography that you submit with your entry. | $10 per dog gives full admission to the fair, and each dog will receive a special gift for being a contestant!

World's Ugliest Contest takes place each year at Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Dogs are evaluated by a select panel of judges and the winner determined at the completion of the actual contest. New at the annual contest is consolidation of categories, pedigreed and mutt, with awards now given for the World's Ugliest Dog and the addition of the Spirit Award. Dogs are judged generally on appearance, personality, and audience interaction. The World's Ugliest Dog Spirit Award honors a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles and/or are providing service to the community based on the dog's biography. Dog owners must submit a high-resolution close-up photo of the dog, a bio, a health certificate showing up-to-date vaccinations, and a $10 entry fee.

A popular online "people's choice" contest shows pictures in which viewers can vote for their favorite Ugly Dog. This gallery is just for fun and is conducted as a popular voting site only. This does not determine the winner of the Official Ugly Dog Contest, which is conducted at the fair. For over 25 years the World's Ugliest Dog contest has brought international attention to the plight of animals, showcasing the loving homes that non-pedigree dogs can benefit from. The most grateful animals in the world are often rescued from horrible situations. Some have been near death in the care of hoarders, or perhaps they've survived beatings, wrecks, and other calamities before they were successfully placed in loving homes. The dogs in the contest may be cross-eyed, have patches of fur missing, waddle like ducks, have tongues that droop to one side of the mouth, and more. They will not win awards in any traditional contest but this is the event where they can really shine. Owners learn that it's OK to have a not-so-beautiful pet, as long at the dog is happy, healthy and treated well.

Past winners have included Mugly, World's Ugliest Dog 2012 Contestant

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.