Rescue dog from Ukiah named ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’

UKIAH, CA., 8/17/2026 — A 6-year-old rescue pug from Ukiah spent a whirlwind weekend in New York City and appeared on national television Monday after being named the World’s Ugliest Dog at an annual event Friday at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. 

Jinny Lu lives at The Pug Hotel, a Ukiah sanctuary for senior pugs and traumatized and unadoptable ones due to special needs. She finished second at last year’s version of the World’s Ugliest Dog event, held annually at the fairgrounds in Santa Rosa by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association to celebrate local adoption and rescue centers. 

With a lengthy tongue hanging out of her mouth and adorned with her signature pearl necklace, Jinny Lu with Pug Hotel proprietor Michelle Grady took the top prize this time at the event sponsored by Mug Root Beer, receiving $5,000 and a trip to New York City for a live appearance on the “Today” show on NBC. 

Grady and Jinny Lu spent the weekend in New York, including going to a Broadway play, according to Nikola Clay, a volunteer who has been helping handle things at the Pug Hotel in the meantime. The Pug Hotel moved earlier this year from Rohnert Park to Ukiah and Clay said its volunteers have cheered on the pup’s newfound fame. 

Jinny Lu came to California via the nonprofit Pug Rescue of Korea when she was about 2 years old, Clay said. 

The World’s Ugliest Dog’s website emphasizes that the contest, marking its 50^th anniversary this year, “isn’t about making fun of ‘ugly dogs — it’s about celebrating wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are truly beautiful.” The sponsorship with Mug Root Beer means that Jinny Lu even had her mug plastered on collectible root beer cans because of her victory. 

Clay said it was the dog’s “stage presence” as much as its looks that have brought attention in the contest in years past and again this year. 

“She has this tongue that hangs out, but it’s her personality, I think that’s what wins the contest more than that they’re really ugly,” she said. 

Clay said plans are in the works to celebrate Jinny Lu once Grady and the dog return to Ukiah from New York City.