It’s official! Jinny Lu, a 6-year-old pug, has been crowned the highly-coveted title of “World’s Ugliest Dog.”
Jinny Lu, who’s from Ukiah, California, took home the accolade on Aug. 14, supported by her owner Michelle Grady, according to a press release about the contest.
The cute canine will be getting some more time in the limelight, as she’s slated to join TODAY on Aug. 17.
Jinny Lu won over eight other contestants and in front of a judging panel that included Gadi Schwartz, an NBC News correspondent, Mike McGuire, a California state senator and Debbie Abrams, a veteran broadcaster.
This the pug’s fourth attempt at winning the competition. Her first place prize included $5000 and a shiny new trophy. Her face will also be featured on limited-edition Mug Root Beer cans, the release said.
The pug’s looks aren’t the only thing that’s impressive about her — she’s also got an incredible backstory.
Jinny Lu was found in a shack in the mountains of South Korea. While her rescuers initially said she was a shy gal, Jinny Lu, who was adopted four years ago, seems to have had a complete transformation.
Nowadays, she’s a “constant source of mischief and joy.” She has been known to screech when she’s in play-mode one-minute and promptly fall into a cuddly mood the next, according to the press release.
Jinny Lu is also enthusiastic about spreading her infectious energy around. The press release noted that the pug visits elementary schools with other rescue pugs to teach children about the importance of adopting pets. Additionally, she visits hospice patients and those in memory care facilities.
She’s the latest winner of the half-century-long tradition held annually by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association. While the contest, which honors dogs that are perfectly imperfect, may not look like your typical beauty pageant, the message behind it is still as lovely as ever.
The competition, which was organized in partnership with Mug Root Beer, pays tribute to the benefits of adopting rescue dogs while showing people that all pups deserve love, regardless of their appearance, according to the press release. And many of the furry participants themselves have been rescued from puppy mills and shelters.
“This event has always been about celebrating the dogs that might otherwise be overlooked,” Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, said in the press release.
Jinny Lu succeeds 2025 winner Petunia, lovingly referred to as “Pinky,” a hairless Frenchie and English Bulldog, who was rescued from a backyard breeder and hoarder home by nonprofit Luvable Dog Rescue.
Though Petunia was born with an elongated palate, a common trait among poorly bred bulldog breeds that can cause breathing difficulties, she received a successful surgery thanks to the organization. Petunia can now breathe easy, according to the contest website.
According to Best Friends Animal Society, an estimated 4.74 million dogs and cats entered shelters in 2025. An estimated 209,000 dogs and 187,000 cats were killed in shelters. However, adoption makes a difference.
The data shows that almost 4 million dogs and cats in U.S. shelters found homes last year.
And 34,000 fewer dogs and cats in shelters were killed compared to the year before.
Source: TODAY
-Agencies
