For over 50 years, the World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest has proven that pedigree doesn’t define a pet. This world-renowned show of pageantry and pride celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.
During the contest, each pup and handler shows off their one-of-a-kind beauty to judges, the media, and fans. It’s a wonderful show of pageantry and pride! All dogs must provide veterinary paperwork confirming they’re healthy before arriving. We also conduct an on-site vet check just prior to the contest.
The World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest advocates for the adoration of all animals and the benefits of adoption. Attendees can connect with local animal rescue and adoption groups to learn more about the benefits of adopting and maybe even meet their new best friend. Many contestant dogs have been rescued from shelters or puppy mills, and found loving homes with families willing to adopt. Join us in raising awareness and support for pets still waiting for their forever homes!
The World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest isn’t about making fun of “ugly” dogs—it’s about celebrating wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are truly beautiful!
Special thanks to MUG® Root Beer for always rooting for the underdogs!
Petunia is a perfectly healthy two year old hairless Frenchie + English Bulldog mix living her best life in Eugene, Oregon.
Petunia was rescued from a backyard breeder/hoarder in Las Vegas by Luvable Dog Rescue. After her rescue, Luvable provided for her spay and BOAS surgeries as Petunia, like so many poorly bred bully breeds had an elongated palate. She is now breathing easy!
Her family at Luvable likes to say “the only thing ugly about Petunia is the way she was raised and treated early in her life.”
Petunia is a gentle soul, she loves all other dogs, cats, and humans. Petunia’s favorite activities are snuggling and trail walks in the Oregon woods.
Jinny Lu was found in a wooden box in freezing weather in the mountains of South Korea, likely destined for the slaughterhouse. Jinny Lu has two wonderful rescue organizations to thank for her success story: Pug Rescue of Korea in Long Beach, CA and Pug Hotel – Senior Pug Sanctuary in Rohnert Park, CA.
Jinny Lu loves to snuggle with her foster siblings, stretch out in the sun, and greet visitors. While her Mom is preparing the pug dinners, Jinny Lu sneaks onto the kitchen chairs and very stealthily puts her amazing tongue into everyone’s food bowls to make sure all of the meals are just right!
When she isn’t volunteering or wreaking havoc on the dinner table, you’ll find Jinny Lu screaming at her reflection in the mirror.
Hi, Im Poppy! I’m the runt of my litter and the only one born without any hair. I was born 5 years ago in Tbilisi, Georgia. I am a lucky dog and was rescued by a family in Marin County, CA. Despite my unique look, my mom and sister help me live a thriving life. I have lots of hobbies. I enjoy finding and hiding sticks, burrowing in blankets, showcasing my latest fashion choices, singing along with my family in nightly howls and cuddling as much as possible. I would describe my look as chupacabra-chic with hair inspired by Andy Warhol and a beard that would make Martin Van Buren blush. My fashion icon is Master Splinter from the Ninja Turtles, and I think I have really captured his essence.
When I’m not busy being my sister’s personal mealtime vacuum (she is a toddler now so we have a blast putting things we aren’t supposed to in our mouths and making messes for mom) or building a blanket nest in the couch, I love helping to reduce my mom’s anxiety as a psychiatric service dog. I love meeting new people and making them smile and laugh. I am always quick to make friends and show them why beauty is so often more than skin deep–even if your skin has the smoothness and shimmer of a baby elephant like mine does. I believe that even if you are a tiny hairless mutant with a wonky eye that wears diapers, we are all worthy of love!
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and at the internationally-renown World’s Ualiest Dog® Contest. we celebrate the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.
For nearly 50 years, the World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest has been a testament that pedigree does not define a pet. Dogs or all breeds and sizes have warmed our hearts and filled our lives with unconditional love. Think your pup’s got what it takes? Enter today!
NBC News Correspondent
Gadi Schwartz is an NBC News Correspondent, co-host of Stay Tuned, NBC News’ daily news show on Snapchat’s Discover platform, as well as the anchor ofStay Tuned NOW, a new daily primetime program on NBC News NOW. Schwartz also hosted the limited series The Overview on Peacock.
Over the course of his career, Schwartz has received multiple industry awards, including five regional Emmy Awards and two Los Angeles Golden Mikes.
Sports Journalist & Writer
Amy Gutierrez, or Amy G, grew up in Petaluma. She loved sports from a young age, playing softball, basketball, and volleyball during her school years. After studying rhetoric and communications at the University of California, Davis, she pursued her dream of becoming a journalist.
Her career started in Washington, D.C., before moving to Los Angeles to work in TV production. She got her break when she filled in for a colleague and appeared on-air. Returning to the Bay Area, she became known as the sideline reporter for NBC Sports Bay Area, focusing on the San Francisco Giants. She also writes for G-Mag and hosts her own webcast, “Amy G’s Giants Xclusive.” Amy’s storytelling focuses on the human side of sports, and she collaborates with other journalists to refine her work before sharing it with her audience.
California State Treasurer
Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was elected on November 6, 2018 with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state’s history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.
One committee Treasurer Ma chairs, the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), helps clean and green our state. It awards sales tax exclusions for manufacturers that reduce pollution, while retaining jobs, including to companies that make electric vehicles, turn farm waste into energy, and produce jet fuel out of renewable sources.
Most recently before being elected Treasurer, she was an elected member of the California Board of Equalization from 2015 until January 2019 and worked to protect the rights of taxpayers while ensuring California collected its fair share of tax revenues. Her district covered 23 counties in California and included approximately 9.5 million people. Upon being selected Chairperson of the Board of Equalization in 2016, she ordered three external audits of the agency and helped lead the biggest reforms for accountability and efficiency in that agency’s history. Read her full bio.
Retired Deputy District Attorney
Linda Witong Abrahm is a distinguished and accomplished professional, bringing to the table a wealth of experience and a commitment to justice, human rights, and the protection of women and girls. With a career spanning over three decades, Linda has proven herself as a tenacious, creative, and ethical advocacy specialist. Her dedication to enforcing the law with objectivity and fairness is evident in her role as a retired prosecutor, where she litigated hundreds of criminal cases and served as the Felony Expediter from 1991-2011. Linda continues to make a lasting impact through her volunteer services, including her role as the creator and coordinator of the CATCH Team, investigating unresolved homicide cases in Marin County.
Principal Consultant
Brian Sobel is the principal consultant for Sobel Communications of Petaluma, California. Educated at San Francisco State University, majoring in Broadcast Communication Arts and Journalism, Sobel worked in radio and television and was News Director for two radio stations. Before opening his consulting firm, Sobel spent several years working for a major corporation as a writer, training consultant and video producer.
In the public sector, Sobel is a former planning commissioner and vice-mayor of Petaluma, California. He is also past chairman of the Sonoma County Transportation Authority and a former member of several other non-governmental and governmental boards and commissions including the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors, where he chaired the Finance-Auditing and Transportation Committees of the Board. In his capacity as a public official, Sobel testified before governmental entities including a United States Senate committee, where he outlined the key role of local government in decision-making by the federal government. Additionally, the Governor of California twice appointed Sobel to the Board of Directors of the 4th District Agricultural Association, where he served as a member of the board for nine years including one term as president of the board.
Additionally, Sobel served a three-year term as president of the Board of Directors of Northbay Family Homes; a non-profit development company based in Marin County, California, and was a corporate officer and trustee of the Cedars Foundation of Ross. Sobel is also past-president of the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce and served for seven years as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Bank of Marin, headquartered in Novato, California, where he remains on the Board of Directors. Along with Sobel’s extensive private sector experience, for over eight years he was a part owner of a minor league baseball team that won three league championships.
Sobel has received a variety of awards in connection with his writing, training, and video work.
No. There is no entry fee to participate. Furthermore, each contestant dog and one designated handler will receive complimentary admission to the Sonoma County Fair on the day of the event.
All completed Contestant Entry Packets and Handler Packets must be submitted by Friday, July 17th, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PDT. Only email entries are accepted at [email protected]. Late or incomplete submissions may not be accepted.
Your emailed entry must include all of the following:
Yes — you may change your handler up until the entry deadline of Friday, July 17th, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PDT. The replacement handler must submit a new Handler Form & Waiver by that same deadline. No handler changes are allowed after the deadline or on contest day.
The contest takes place Friday, August 14th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. PDT at the Sonoma County Fair (running August 7th – 16th, 2026) in Santa Rosa, CA.
Important Times:
Note: Late arrivals may be denied participation at management’s discretion.
Each contestant dog and their designated handler receive free admission to the Sonoma County Fair on contest day (Friday, August 14th, 2026). All other family, friends, or guests must purchase their own fair admission tickets.
Whoever accompanies the dog on contest day — the owner or the designated handler — must bring:
Note: Digital photos or images on a phone/tablet will not be accepted at check-in.
Prizes by place:
All awards (monetary and trophies) are awarded solely to the registered owner of the dog as listed on the Contestant Entry Form. If a designated handler presents the dog on stage, that handler is not entitled to prize money or trophies.
Note: No cash or checks are distributed on-site at the event. Prize money is issued via check and mailed to the registered owner after the conclusion of the event, provided a completed IRS Form W-9 is on file with the Entry Office.
While the Association strongly encourages all winners to take their trophies home on-site or arrange for a guest to do so, we can facilitate shipping via UPS. Please be advised that trophies are shipped fully assembled in oversized, professional packaging. The registered owner is solely responsible for all associated costs, which have historically ranged from $150 to well over $500, depending on the destination. To initiate this process, the owner must provide the Entry Office with their credit card information and a confirmed shipping address on the night of the event. The Association assumes no liability for the trophy once it is in the possession of the carrier.
NBC® covers travel expenses for the winning dog and the Handler-of-Record. The winning dog must travel with the same handler who presented the dog on stage. If the winner declines to participate, they keep the cash prize but forfeit the travel portion of the award.
For help with fillable forms, saving, or emailing your packet, contact the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association Entry Office directly. Please do not contact the general Sonoma County Fairgrounds office for contest-specific questions, as they do not manage the contestant database or travel logistics.
