Ugliest Dog Day 2026: When It Is & How to Celebrate

Life is easy for cute pups: they’re always at the center of attention and get all the hugs. But today, we want to focus on the not-so-pretty dogs. While they might not look like supermodels, on the inside, these buds are the real deal and deserve to be in the spotlight. And there’s a perfect date for that: June 20th, the Ugliest Dog Day.

Celebrated since the 1970s, the Ugliest Dog Day recognizes dogs that give a new meaning to “if looks could kill”. These pups don’t rock fancy coats or perfect smiles, yet they do have big, beautiful hearts. That’s what the Ugliest Dog Day stands for.

How Did the Ugliest Dog Day Emerge?

Back in the day, only photogenic dogs were allowed to enter shows and events. Pups with limping legs, short tails, bad coats, and facial deformities had to be in the shadow of the more attractive dogs. Thankfully, that all changed in the early 1970s when the Ugliest Dog Day was established. The contest became a part of the Sonoma-Marin Fair in the 1980s. And in 2009, the Fair officially copyrighted “World’s Ugliest Dog”.

In 2011, a full-length documentary was made covering the contest, participants, and more. In 2013, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the popular event, they published a book that shed even more light on the Ugliest Dog Contest. Lastly, in 2017, the managers and sponsors changed the winning prize from $1,000 to $1,600 and added a trophy and free tickets to NYC.

Is This a Popular Event? What’s It All About?

It started as something trivial (just a fun contest) but over time, the Ugliest Dog Day has materialized into something truly great. The idea is very simple yet important: to acknowledge and celebrate the unsightly dogs, regardless of breed, age, sex, or marital status. It’s a wonderful holiday for people who care for the “underdogs” and want to do something nice for them.

As for the Ugliest Dog Contest, it’s a big event, one that’s celebrated by dog parents and fans from all over the world. Each year, the show at the Sonoma-Marin Fair (Petaluma, California) is attended by 20,000–30,000 people. It welcomes rough-tough canines to try their luck at the competition. They have a chance to win a trophy, a trip to NY, a hefty check of $1,500 for the winner, and international recognition.

Why Is This Celebration Important?

The harsh reality of our world is that most pet parents only pick the cutest dogs (the same goes for cats, rabbits, and hamsters). Sadly, the dogs that don’t look like a million bucks are often left out. And, in some ways, the Ugliest Dog Day is their only chance of being seen and, luckily, picked up by someone who can see beyond the broken teeth, horrible hair, or mean mug.

Now, the perfect word to describe the Ugliest Dog Day is diversity. We’re all different, and so are our dogs, and that’s a beautiful thing, especially when we have a strong bond with the fur babies. Also, the Ugliest Dog Day is a great time for owners of ugly pets to talk about them loudly and proudly. Read on to learn about the best ways to celebrate your very special pup and fellow canines.

Who Won the Ugliest Dog Contest in 2026?

In 2023, the ugliest dog of the year was Scooter, a Chinese Crested. This little guy had a rough life. At birth, his rear legs were deformed, and it was believed that he would never be able to walk. That’s why the dog was brought to an animal control center for euthanasia. Thankfully, someone from the Saving Animals from Euthanasia organization decided to give the pup a living chance.

Today, seven years later, this survivor-of-a-dog is alive and well. He has to use a cart to move around comfortably, but he’s making it work. More importantly, this guy won the UDC! The second place was snatched by Wild Thang, a 7-year-old Pekingese. Harold Bartholomew, a 16-year-old Chihuahua, came in third and won the Spirit Award, while the People’s Choice Award went to Rascal Deux, a Hairless Mutant.

Which Breeds Had the Most Success at UDC?

It’s no secret that Chinese Crested dogs aren’t known to be dashing. But for this contest, that’s a good thing! These buds are the ultimate champs of the Ugliest Dog Contest with a total of 22 wins. The list of highly successful breeds also includes Mexican Hairless Dogs, Chihuahuas, and Neapolitan Mastiffs. This is interesting: the most triumphant doggo in the history of the Ugliest Dog Day was an African Sand Dog.

The champ’s name was Chi-Chi, and he managed to take the trophy not once, not twice, but seven times. So, if you own a Chinese Crested or African Sand Dog, you have a decent chance of winning! In most dog shows, the participants have to be faster, stronger, and more intelligent than their rivals. But in the Ugliest Dog Content, the pups have to look as unappealing as possible. That sounds mean, but those are the rules!

What Can a Regular Dog Owner Do on This Special Day?

Dogs deserve to be celebrated every single day—that’s a universal truth. And you don’t necessarily have to spend big bucks or a whole week to make a difference. Here’s a list of things any dog owner or fan can do on June 20 to spread recognition, help our physically/financially, and more:

• Post/share pictures of dogs. Yes, beauty is a subjective thing, but unfortunately, there are quite a few dogs out there that don’t get enough appreciation. So, take it to social media and let the whole world see pictures of dogs that lack in the beauty department yet have noble spirits. Maybe this will encourage someone to adopt an ugly pup!
• Help raise money for shelters. Ready to help the cause financially? Consider donating to an animal shelter or rescue center. They are always low on cash and will be thankful for every single penny. Or volunteer at a local shelter and help out that way. The only thing these organizations need more than money is an extra pair of hands.
• Bring in toys and food supplies. Another way you can help is by donating toys, food, and care products for the pups. Holding a fundraiser is also an option, of course, but it will take a lot more effort and dedication. Lastly, try your skills as a foster parent for a doggo that currently doesn’t have an owner or a home.
• Attend a local canine show. Can’t make it to California on June 20? Why not participate in a local dog show instead? It can be a competition, a fashion event, or a sporting event. The important thing here is to go out there, maybe take a photo or two, and take your own four-legged bud along for the ride.
• Let your dog know it’s special. Sadly, we often forget to show our fur babies how much we love them. So, if you’ve got a dog back home that might fall into the “ugly” category, make sure to treat it with yummy snacks, give it the biggest hug ever, and maybe take it for a walk in the park to play some games and have fun.
• Organize an ugly dog meeting. If you have some colleagues, acquaintances, and family members in the area with ugly dogs, ask them to get together. Organize a parade or friendly contest involving all the goofy boys and girls you know. Take lots of pictures and post this little event on your socials.

Conclusion

For an adorable pup, all it takes to get thousands of likes on social media is one picture. However, not every single canine on the planet has Instagram-friendly looks. Some of our fluffy friends can be flat-out ugly. We’re talking about physical appearance here, of course. Most dogs out there are kind-hearted and sweet-spirited.

And sometimes, they just need a little nudge, a quick “thumbs up” to feel loved and appreciated. Well, that’s exactly why the Ugliest Dog Day was established. It’s been around for over 50 years and carries a very important message: Never judge a book by its cover! So, give your pup a hug, treat it like a king/queen, and help it shine!

• See also: National Pit Bull Awareness Day: When & What It Is

Featured Image Credit: art nick, Shutterstock