By Tim Binnall
A Pekinese named Wild Thing is sitting pretty after being crowned the World's Ugliest Dog for 2024. The curious-looking canine, which sports a voluminous coat of unkempt fur and an ever-present protruding tongue, reportedly took home the honor this past Friday afternoon at the annual competition held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. The win is particularly bittersweet for Wild Thing as this was his fifth time competing for the title after falling short the previous four years which included three instances wherein he placed second.
The proverbial picture of both repugnance and perseverance, Wild Thing's well-deserved win netted his owner, Ann Lewis, a $5,000 prize as well as a Today Show appearance for the pair. Additionally, for the first time ever, the World's Ugliest Dog competition was sponsored by Mug Root Beer, which may feature the peculiar pooch on a forthcoming special-edition can. The lighthearted annual event, which began back in the 1970s, aims to celebrate the uniqueness of its competitors while also raising awareness about animal adoption.