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Jinny Lu Wins World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma County Fair

Jinny Lu, a six-year-old pug rescued from the South Korean meat industry, was crowned the 2026 champion of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The pug won the title during the 50th edition of the competition, which celebrates dogs with distinctive appearances and personalities rather than objective ugliness. Jinny Lu received a $5,000 prize for the owner, Michelle Grady, who also runs a sanctuary for senior and traumatized pugs. The winning dog is known for its outgoing personality and serves as an ambassador for rescue dogs, visiting schools and hospice facilities. Organizers stated the event aims to promote animal rescue and adoption by highlighting dogs that might otherwise be overlooked. The contest featured nine dogs from across the globe, with Pinky taking second place and Otto taking third place.

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