Jinny Lu wins 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

Jinny Lu, a six-year-old rescue pug, was crowned the winner of the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest during its 50th anniversary at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The pug, known for her bulging eyes and protruding tongue, secured the title on her fourth attempt at the competition.

Owned by Michelle Grady, Jinny Lu was rescued from the dog-meat trade in South Korea before being adopted in the United States. The contest aims to promote animal rescue and adoption by celebrating the unique imperfections of dogs that might otherwise be overlooked.

In addition to a $5,000 prize, Jinny Lu and her owner received a trip to New York to appear on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. Other winners included Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix who took second place, and Otto, a Chihuahua mix who placed third.