PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A 2-year-old dog, described as a “quirky ball of love,” from Eugene, Oregon has been crowned the winner of the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.
The contest, held August 8 in Santa Rosa, California, celebrates “imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” with this year’s top prize going to Petunia, a hairless Frenchie and English Bulldog mix.
With her signature coconut oil skin treatments and daily sunscreen, Petunia enjoys trail walks in the Oregon woods and snuggles, the event organizers said.
Before her life in Eugene, Petunia was rescued from a backyard breeder in Las Vegas by Luvable Dog Rescue, a non-profit that rehomes dogs that have been rescued from kill shelters.
Petunia previously underwent surgeries to correct an elongated palate, which is common in poorly bred bully breeds, event organizers said, noting Petunia is now breathing easy and thriving.
As the winner, Petunia received $5,000 and will also become the new face of MUG Root Beer, the event’s sponsor, with her own limited edition MUG merchandise. Petunia won among 10 contestants, including a Chinese crested named Little Prince Wonder and a 13-year-old chihuahua named Nezumi, as reported by People Magazine.
This marks the second year in a row that a dog from Oregon has been crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog, after an eight-year-old Pekingese from North Bend named Wild Thang won the 2024 contest.
For nearly 50 years, the World’s Ugliest Dog competition, held during the Sonoma-Marin Fair, “has been a testament that pedigree does not define a pet,” according to the event website, noting, “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!”
