# World’s Ugliest Dog Contest results

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/worlds-ugliest-dog-contest-results
> Updated: 2026-08-17T09:10:32.000Z. Sources: 43. Developments: 2.

The 50th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest took place at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. Jinny Lu, a six-year-old pug, was awarded the first-place prize of $5,000. Her owner, Michelle Grady, shared that the dog was a rescue from the dog meat trade in South Korea, having been adopted through Pug Rescue four years ago.

In addition to the cash prize, Jinny Lu is scheduled to appear on NBC’s ‘TODAY’ show, and her likeness will be featured on limited-edition cans of Mug Root Beer. The pug competed against eight other finalists.

Other winners included Pinky, an albino Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix, who took second place with $3,000, and Otto, a Chihuahua mix with a cleft palate, who earned third place with $2,000. Organized by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, the event’s mission is to promote pet adoption and celebrate the resilience and unique personalities of rescue dogs that might otherwise be overlooked.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Jinny Lu wins 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

Jinny Lu, a rescue pug from South Korea, won the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog Contest in California, promoting pet adoption and celebrating unconventional canine beauty.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jinny-lu-wins-50th-annual-worlds-ugliest-dog-contest

### 2026-08-15: Jinny Lu wins World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California

Jinny Lu, a pug rescued from South Korea, won the 50th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California, earning $5,000 and promoting pet adoption awareness.

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jinny-lu-wins-worlds-ugliest-dog-title-in-california

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Cite as: World’s Ugliest Dog Contest results. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/worlds-ugliest-dog-contest-results