World’s Ugliest Dog contest crowns its 2026 winner

Jinny Lu has been crowned the winner of the 50th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in California.

The rescued pug took first place at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, winning a $5,000 prize for her owner, Michelle Grady. Jinny Lu was rescued from the mountains of South Korea before being adopted and brought to California.

An albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix named Pinky came second, while Otto, a Chihuahua mix, finished third and won $2,000.

The unusual competition aims to highlight the benefits of adopting rescue dogs. Among this year’s contestants was Clara, a 12-year-old Chinese Crested who travelled from Poland with her owner, Marcelina Kasprusz.

Kasprusz said the prize money was not the main motivation for taking part, adding that if the contest encouraged even one person to adopt a shelter dog, they had already won.