A tenacious and wild Pekingese is the world’s ugliest dog, after five tries

CALIFORNIA - Maybe it is the way his lolling pink tongue juts out, or how his glittering wide eyes bejewel a tiny head under a mop of long, frizzy, brown-and-white fur, but there is just something about Wild Thang – and a panel of judges agreed.

The eight-year-old Pekingese from Oregon was crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog on June 21, confirming that when the looks are, well, lacking, there is something to be said for persistence. It was his fifth try for the top prize at the competition.

“His victory is a testament to his undeniable charm and resilience,” said a statement released by the competition following Wild Thang’s big win.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Wild Thang’s life got off to a difficult start, according to his biography.

As a puppy, he contracted distemper, an infectious disease caused by a virus that attacks dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.

He barely survived, and his biography notes that Wild Thang was left permanently affected by the disease: “His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out, and his right front leg paddles 24/7.”

Like other beauty pageant winners, Wild Thang champions causes dear to him, according to his biography. He has helped raise money to get his fellow Pekingese dogs in Ukraine to safety – and has already saved seven of them from the war zone.

According to his biography, Wild Thang’s “purpose in life is to promote the necessity of getting your pets vaccinated”.

He recently retired to Oregon with his owner Ann Lewis, who was not available for comment.

As the winner, Wild Thang will be featured on the Today show on NBC on the morning of June 24, and will have his stunning visage grace limited-edition cans of Mug Root Beer, a new sponsor for the competition.

He will also take home US$5,000 (S$6,770) for his first-place finish. NYTIMES