Who is Wild Thang? Eight-year-old Pekingese wins 2024 'World’s Ugliest Dog' contest

 

Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, has been crowned as the winner of the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California.

Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, has been crowned as the winner of the 2024 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma, California.

Wild Thang, the winner of 2024 'World’s Ugliest Dog' contest, with its owner.(Sumiko Moots / NBC News)

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Wild Thang recently retired to North Bend, Oregon.

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This year's competition, which took place during the 2024 Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, witnessed eight competitors, the most of whom were rescues who initially appeared in shelters before finding their permanent homes. The entries included combinations of Chinese Crested dogs, Pugs, and Chihuahuas.

Wild Thang contracted contagious & serious disease

Wild Thang has participated five times in World's Ugliest Dog competitions, but this was his victory.

The dog got an unusual appearance as he contracted canine distemper when he was just 10-week-old. Due to the disease, he was unable to grow teeth, which is why his tongue dangles and he has a muscular imbalance in one leg.

According to Wild Thang's bio, “He survived, but not without permanent damage. His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7.”