Ukiah pug Jinny Lu crowned World’s Ugliest Dog at Sonoma County Fair

A 6-year-old pug from Ukiah took home the title of World’s Ugliest Dog on Friday, Aug. 14, at the Sonoma County Fair, triumphing over eight other dogs in the annual contest celebrating unconventional canine looks.

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Jinny Lu, owned by Ukiah resident Michelle Grady, was named the 2026 champion during the competition at the fair in Santa Rosa. Grady received $5,000 in prize money, and Jinny Lu will travel to New York City with Grady to appear on NBC’s “TODAY” show Monday morning.

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, which has been held for nearly five decades, is intended to celebrate dogs that might otherwise be overlooked while promoting animal rescue and adoption.

Despite its name, the contest is less about finding an objectively “ugly” dog than celebrating dogs with distinctive appearances and personalities. This year’s contestants included pugs, Chihuahuas, Chinese Cresteds and mixed breeds, with dogs traveling from far and wide to compete.

Winning pooch, Jinny Lu, was rescued from the meat industry in South Korea and adopted through a pug rescue organization by Grady four years ago, according to the contest organizers.

Grady also runs The Pug Hotel, a sanctuary for senior and traumatized pugs that relocated from Rohnert Park to Ukiah in April. The organization rescues, rehabilitates, fosters and rehomes pugs that have been abandoned, abused or are otherwise at risk, providing medical care and foster homes while they await permanent families.

Once described by her rescuers as “the shy girl,” Jinny Lu has since developed a more outgoing personality. According to Grady, the pug flips, twirls and screeches while playing with toys before settling down for cuddles.

Jinny Lu also visits elementary schools with other rescue pugs to teach children about pet adoption. She has visited hospice patients and people in memory care facilities as well.

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Friday’s victory was Jinny Lu’s fourth attempt at winning the title.

“She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for,” Grady said.

The contest featured nine dogs from across the globe, each competing based on their distinctive appearances and personalities.

“This event has always been about celebrating the dogs that might otherwise be overlooked,” said Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association. “We’re incredibly proud of what the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has become and grateful to have partners like MUG Root Beer who understand the heart behind it. Together, we’re able to have some fun while sharing a much bigger message about adoption and giving every dog a chance to be loved.”

Pinky, a Chihuahua-Pomeranian owned by Laura Brown of Redwood City, took second place and won $3,000. Otto, a Chihuahua mix owned by Melinda Berry of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, placed third and won $2,000.

The prize purse totaled $10,000, with MUG Root Beer sponsoring the contest for the third consecutive year. As the contest winner, Jinny Lu will featured on limited-edition MUG Root Beer cans.

The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is produced by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association as part of the Sonoma County Fair. Organizers say the event’s larger purpose is to encourage people to look beyond an animal’s appearance and consider adoption.

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You can reach Staff Writer Isabel Beer at [email protected].