Bulldog Named Petunia Crowned the ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ — and Appear on Limited-Edition Root Beer Cans

A hairless English-French bulldog mix named Petunia has been named the winner of the 2025 World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

Petunia, who is 2 years old and lives in Eugene, Oregon with her owner Shannon Nyman, won a $5,000 prize at the event held on Friday, August 8, at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. Along with the money and bragging rights, Petunia will be featured on special cans of Mug Root Beer and will appear on the Today show on Monday, August 11.

She beat out 10 other competitors, including Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested, and Nezumi, a 13-year-old Chihuahua.

Petunia’s life wasn’t always glamorous. According to The New York Times, she was rescued from “the chaos of a backyard breeder and hoarder” in Las Vegas. She was taken to Oregon by Luvable Dog Rescue, where she received important medical care, including surgery to fix a breathing problem caused by an elongated palate.

Rescuers describe Petunia as a gentle dog who loves other dogs, cats, and people.

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been running for almost 50 years. Organizers say the event shows that “pedigree does not define the pet” and celebrates the unique imperfections that make every dog special. Many of the dogs in the contest are rescues from shelters or puppy mills, helping raise awareness about pet adoption.

During the contest, the dogs walk with their owners and show off their unusual looks to judges and fans. Some even wear costumes or accessories.

In 2024, the winner was an 8-year-old Pekingese named Wild Thang, known for his messy fur and permanent tongue-out smile due to losing his teeth after a childhood illness.

The event is meant to be fun, uplifting, and a reminder that every dog—no matter how it looks—deserves love.