Two quirky pups from Los Angeles headed to Santa Rosa on Friday to compete in the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
Truffles, a 6-year-old micro bully with a cleft palate, dangling tongue and a heart as big as her waddle, and Little Prince Wonder, an 8-year-old Chinese Crested with a poke of the tongue out smile are among 10 contestants vying for the title.
This year’s set of contestants is the largest in the contest’s nearly 50-year history.
Truffles is a 6-year-old micro bully with a cleft palate and dangling tongue.
The event hosted by Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association celebrates the quirks of adoptable dogs and promotes rescue efforts.
MUG Root Beer will donate to the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project located in Santa Rosa and award $10,000 in prizes across the top three dogs: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third.
The dog that is crowned will also temporarily replace MUG Root Beer’s mascot on a limited edition merchandise line, including t-shirts, a dog toy and custom can, which is available to pre-order on the brand’s TikTok shop starting Aug. 11.
The winner will be announced Aug. 11, after the pups walk the MUG red carpet on Friday.
Last year, Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese from LA, won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest after competing four times and placing second three times.