Full Breakdown
Jinny Lu Wins 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at Sonoma County Fair
8/16/2026, 6:36:27 AM
The Contest and Its 2026 Outcome
On Friday, August 14, 2026, the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, Calif., hosted the 50th edition of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. Six-year-old Jinny Lu, a pug rescued from South Korea, was crowned the champion. The win awarded her owner, Ukiah resident Michelle Grady, a $5,000 prize, a trophy, and a scheduled appearance on NBC’s *Today* show in New York. Runner-up Pinky, an albino Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, received $3,000, while third-place Otto, a Chihuahua mix with a cleft palate, earned $2,000. The event’s sponsor, MUG Root Beer, featured Jinny Lu on limited-edition cans for the third consecutive year.
Background and Purpose of the Contest
Organizers state that the primary goal is to promote animal rescue and adoption, encouraging the public to look beyond a dog’s appearance when considering a permanent home.
Participants and Prize Distribution
Contest materials list nine competing dogs, including entries from Poland, Oklahoma, and California. The prize purse totaled $10,000, allocated as $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third. MUG Root Beer supplied the sponsorship funds for the third year running.
Official Statements
Contest organizers highlighted Jinny Lu’s role as an ambassador for rescue dogs, noting her visits to elementary schools, hospice patients, and memory-care facilities.
On-the-Ground Highlights
Judges—including NBC correspondent Gadi Schwartz and California state senator Mike McGuire—met each dog on a red-carpet stage. Competitors performed brief routines; Jinny Lu was noted for “flipping, twirling and screeching” before settling for cuddles. Audience members cheered as each dog paraded, and photographers captured the eclectic lineup, which featured a 12-year-old Chinese Crested from Poland and a variety of mixed-breed entrants.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of contestants. The New York Times reported eight dogs, while the Press Democrat, ABC 7, and People magazine cite nine participants. Additionally, descriptions of Pinky’s breed vary: some outlets call her an albino Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, others a Chihuahua-Miniature Spitz mix. No source provided a definitive breed registry, leaving the exact composition of the field unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for,” — Michelle Grady, ukiah resident
- “This event has always been about celebrating the dogs that might otherwise be overlooked,” — Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association
- “The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has never really been about finding the world’s ugliest dog,” — Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association
