A pug with a protruding tongue is the World's Ugliest Dog — fetching her a cool $5,000, a trophy and a trip to New York

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for Jinny Lu, being judged the ugliest of them all just paid off — to the tune of $5,000.

The 6-year-old pug, whose bulging eyes and perpetually dangling tongue helped her stand out from the pack, was crowned the winner of the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog® Contest, produced by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association during the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The quirky competition celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one

Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes

Jinny Lu's road to the crown wasn't an easy one. She finished second in 2025 and this year marked her fourth attempt at the title.

Her story had much humbler beginnings far from the red carpet: She was rescued in South Korea after reportedly being found in a wooden box in freezing conditions in the mountains. She was eventually brought to the U.S. by a pug rescue organization and adopted by owner Michelle Grady.

The annual contest is less about poking fun at funny-looking pups than its name might suggest. Organizers use the event to celebrate unconventional dogs and promote pet adoption, and many competitors have rescue stories of their own.