Meet Jinny Lu, the Winner of the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest
The 6-year-old rescue pug won $5,000 and a trip to New York as the contest marked its 50th anniversary.
- On Friday, August 14, a 6-year-old rescue pug named Jinny Lu won the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California.
- Rescued four years ago from South Korea's dog meat trade, Jinny Lu resides at The Pug Hotel in Ukiah, California, marking her fourth contest appearance after placing second last year.
- Organizers awarded the pug and her owner, Michelle Grady, a $5,000 prize and trophy at the 50th anniversary event, while Mug Root Beer featured Jinny Lu on limited-edition cans.
- Following the win, Grady and Jinny Lu traveled to New York City on Monday to appear on NBC's "TODAY" show, where the pug gained national television exposure.
- Beyond the contest, Jinny Lu serves as a rescue ambassador, visiting elementary schools and memory care facilities to promote adoption by showcasing the dogs' "wonderful characters.
13 Articles
13 Articles
America Has A New ‘Ugliest Dog.’ The Winner May Surprise You.
In this fierce competition, the more peculiar your dog looks, the better. At the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California, dogs compete to be crowned the ugliest of them all. The annual contest “advocates for the adoration of all animals and the benefits of adoption” and celebrates “the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” according to its website. This year, Jinny Lu, a floppy-tongued, bea…
The ugliness is subjective. But, in this competition, it is everything. Year after year, tutors enroll their pets in a contest to choose the only and unmatched ugly dog in the world. It may not seem like an honor, but to the animals and their guardians, this competition is proof that their origin does not define their destiny. If you can win here, you can win anywhere. In Alaska: camera that transmits bears eating live salmon conquers millions o…
Jinny Lu, the 6-Year-Old Rescued Pug, Crowned as the 'World's Ugliest Dog' | 👍 LatestLY
Six-year-old rescue pug Jinny Lu has won the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, earning a USD 5,000 prize for owner Michelle Grady. Rescued from the dog-meat trade in South Korea, Jinny Lu went viral after her victory and now promotes pet adoption while visiting schools, hospice patients and memory care facilities. 👍 Jinny Lu, the 6-Year-Old Rescued Pug, Crowned as the 'World's Ugliest Dog'.
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