Toothless dog named Wild Thang just won World’s Ugliest Dog contest

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Wild Thang an 8 year old Pekingese was hoisted into the air. After several unsuccessful attempts, at long last, h...

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Wild Thang - an 8-year-old Pekingese - was hoisted into the air. After several unsuccessful attempts, at long last, he had won the coveted World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

The June 21 event marked Wild Thang’s fifth time competing in the annual competition, which is held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. In year’s past, Wild Thang - who lives in North Bend, Ore. - clinched second place a few times, but he never took home the title of World’s Ugliest Dog. This year, it was finally his time.

"If he didn’t win, I wouldn’t have cared. I would go again next year because I just want to support the cause,” said Ann Lewis, Wild Thang’s owner.

The purpose of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest is to celebrate imperfections and advocate for animal adoptions. According to the contest website, "the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been a testament that the pedigree does not define the pet.”

"We really want to shine a light on advocating for adoption, and bringing home a pet that doesn’t necessarily fit the norm,” said Mandy Clendenen, the chief executive of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. "Even though something may be ugly in the eye of the beholder, it’s beautiful to others.”