Lolling tongues and resting snarl face: The World's Ugliest Dog contest in pictures

Lolling tongues, gnarly overbites and haywire hair — the contestants of the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest have all been dealt a ruff hand in the genetics department.

This year's event took place on the 14th August at the Sonoma County Fair in California, United States, and saw a six-year old pug named Jinny Lu take the top trophy. Her owner, Michelle Grady, won $5,000 (€4,312) along with a trip to New York, where they both will appear on NBC's Today Show.

In second place was Pinky, an albino pomeranian-chihuahua cross with a glassy stare, while Otto, a chihuahua mix with a double cleft lip, came third.

Founded in 1976, the goal of the contest is not to mock animals, but to promote adoption of all dogs — no matter their imperfections.

As the saying goes: Beauty is in the eye of the pug holder.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Pug rescue Jinny Lu celebrates winning first place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, celebrates winning second place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Chihuahua mix Otto prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Poppy, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested, prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Pinky prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. The albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix wen (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Held by owner Linda Elmquist, Scooter prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Chihuahua mix Otto prepares to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. Otto went on to win third. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Poppy, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested, competes in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Winners stand with their trophies during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)