Ugly Dogs Chase World Title In Sonoma County Contest Open Now

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The search for the next World’s Ugliest Dog has begun, and organizers want the scruffiest, wonkiest, most unforgettably awkward dogs to claim the spotlight.

The Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association has opened entries for the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, set for Friday, Aug. 14, during the Sonoma County Fair at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.

The contest, billed with the motto “Advocate, Adopt, Adore,” celebrates dogs whose charm comes with crooked teeth, hairless patches, dangling tongues, wild expressions, and stories that often begin in shelters, rescues, or second chances.

Entries close Friday, July 17, at 5 p.m. Contestants must submit entry forms, a dog biography, a photo, proof of current rabies vaccination, and other veterinary records. The contest charges no entry fee.

Instead of the most beautiful, contest flips the usual dog-show script. Instead of rewarding pedigree, polish, and breed standards, judges and fans cheer dogs whose looks break every rule and whose personalities win the room.

The contest began in the 1970s and grew from a quirky local fair attraction. Rather than mocking “ugly” dogs, it uses humor, pageantry, and a packed stage to promote adoption, animal welfare, and the idea that every dog deserves love.

Many past contestants have come from shelters, puppy mills, rescue groups, or neglect cases before finding families willing to see the beauty beneath the surface.

The 2026 contest begins at 6 p.m. Contestant check-in runs from 3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., followed by a mandatory contestant meeting at 4:30 p.m.

The first-place winner receives $5,000, a trophy, and a sponsored trip to New York for a live appearance on NBC’s “Today” show.

Second place receives $3,000 and a trophy, third place receives $2,000 and a trophy, and a Spirit Award honors a dog whose story shows resilience and inspiration.

Entry forms and contest information are available from the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association.