Friday was an auspicious day for the 8-year-old Pekingese with a bad right leg but a big personality.
At the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, a Pekingese dog with an ungainly tongue named Wild Sun was named the “World’s Ugliest Dog.”
Wild Sun, who was born in Los Angeles but lives with an adopted family in Oregon, has competed in the annual contest for five years, and Friday’s big win was his first after three second-place finishes.
The “PAWS IN” challenge explodes on social media among dog owners: “Everybody, put your paws on the deck!”
One of the judges of “World’s Ugliest Dog” said, “This is like a bridesmaid, but definitely not the bride.”
Wild Tan loves to be held and petted, and to sleep on ice packs.
Wild Thang appeared on stage at the annual “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on Friday. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
Wild Tan, who narrowly survived distemper as a puppy in his Southern California foster home, is left with a waddling right leg and incomplete teeth. The Pekingese and his owner, Ann Lewis, are racing to advocate for dog vaccinations.
Contestants told their stories and showed off their skills to impress the judges and sponsor Mag Root Beer.
Ann Lewis holds her dog Wild Thang after he won the “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition on Friday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Mug, a first-time sponsor of the event, will donate a cash prize to the winner and will have the winner’s face printed on a limited edition root beer can.
