Kenneth Glad
A long-running summer event returned with an unusual field of entrants and plenty of attention. Organizers also used the occasion to highlight rescue, adoption and animal welfare.
Three previous appearances had ended without the main trophy for Jinny Lu. That changed at the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, where the six-year-old pug finished first at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.
The New York Times reported that Jinny Lu, who had been runner-up in 2025, defeated seven other entrants. The victory brought her owner, Michelle Grady, $5,000 and a trophy.
Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, finished second and received $3,000, while Otto, a Chihuahua mix, took third place and $2,000.
The contest took place on August 14 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. Its current home is relatively new: The event moved to Santa Rosa in 2025 after years as part of the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.
Her story crossed continents
Jinny Lu’s history began far from the fairgrounds. Her biography says she was “found in a wooden box in freezing weather in the mountains of South Korea.”
The organizers credit two rescue groups with her eventual path to a new life: Pug Rescue of Korea in Long Beach and Pug Hotel Senior Pug Sanctuary in Rohnert Park. She now spends her time with Grady and other dogs, with her official profile describing a fondness for cuddling, lying in the sun and welcoming visitors.
Her appearance has made her memorable at the competition, particularly her protruding tongue and prominent eyes. Away from the judging area, organizers offer a less formal picture of her personality, including her habit of screaming at her reflection in a mirror.
The spectacle has formal rules
Despite its playful name and red-carpet atmosphere, the competition has formal entry requirements. Organizers require veterinary records, proof of current rabies vaccination, a photograph and a written biography covering details such as the animal’s background, personality and previous appearances.
Competitors must also arrive with specified health documents, and organizers say that animals undergo a veterinary check before taking part. There is no entry fee, and each competing animal and one designated handler receive admission to the fair on the day of the event.
The wider purpose extends beyond selecting an unusually distinctive winner. The contest says it promotes adoption, gives visitors opportunities to connect with local rescue organizations and has welcomed many animals that previously came from shelters or puppy mills. Organizers describe the event as celebrating “the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.”
For Jinny Lu, first place brings attention beyond Santa Rosa. The official prize package includes a sponsored New York trip for a live appearance on the “Today” show, while The New York Times reported that she is also due to appear on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans.
Sources: The New York Times, Sonoma County Fair
