50 Ugly Dogs That Are Still So Darn Cute

Morgan CutoloUpdated: May 11, 2020

Not every dog has a perfectly groomed and fluffy coat with perfect coloring, but even ugly dogs are adorable and make the perfect addition to any loving home.

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World’s Ugliest Dogs

Even ugly dogs can be cute, especially when they flash those puppy dog eyes and snuggle up next to you. So many people agree that ugly dogs are adorable that the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been held annually for almost 30 years. Owners from around the country bring their pups to Petaluma, California to celebrate each and every dog’s unique beauty. The dogs walk up and down the red carpet in front of judges, international media, celebrity hosts, and fans. The contest promotes the love of all dogs and encourages people to adopt because many of the contestants came from shelters and puppy mills. Not every dog has to meet the AKC’s pedigree standards to be a great addition to any home. Read on to take a look at some of the adorable contestants from the past few years.

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Scamp the Tramp

Look at those locks.

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Rico

Rico gives out a constant wink.

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Jake

This enthusiastic pup knows how to smile for the camera. If you like these ugly dogs, you’ll also want to look at these hilarious dog photos.

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Lemmy

Look at that sweet face.

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Monkey

This adorable pups loves long car rides and meeting new people.

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Rascal Deux

Look at her style. Rascal has appeared on America’s Got Talent and the cover of a magazine.

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Tostito

That tongue is ready to give kisses all day long.

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Gertrude

This little 4 lb chihuahua lives with 9 other rescue dogs.

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Grendel

This Mastiff/American Staffordshire mix is the most gentle giant. If you’re a dog owner, these dog cartoons will make you chuckle.

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Fabio

This 13-year-old teacup chihuahua still looks like a puppy.

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Josie

Josie doesn’t need any jewelry to make her one of the cutest ugly dogs.

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TeeTee

TeeTee is a Crestie Mix from Arizona with a great sense of humor, strong spirit, and a cute little tongue.

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Wild Thang

Look at that fluff!

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Rooby Roux

Rooby Roux is completely blind and has two seeing eye humans. These adorable puppy pictures will make you melt.

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Himisaboo

That cute combover won the hearts of this pup’s parents.

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Miss Moogie

Moogie weighs only 4.6 pounds but has a big heart.

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Willie Wonka

Willie, an American Staffordshire Terrier mix, is only 7 months old but already has a following on Instagram, has met some pretty cool celebrities, and even made an appearance on TV.

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Puka

Puka always has a big smile on her face.

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Meatloaf

Meatloaf’s nicknames include Meaty, Meat Monster, Mystery Meat, and Beefsquatch.

Will Bucquoy Photography/Courtesy The Sonoma-Marin Fair

Zsa Zsa

Zsa Zsa’s adorable face and swaying tongue won him first place in 2018’s World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. Many of these dogs were left on the streets or abandoned, but now they have a loving home. These before and after dog adoption photos will warm your heart.

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Martha

The year before Zsa Zsa took home the blue ribbon, Martha, a Neopolitan Mastiff, won first in the 2017 competition.

Will Bucquoy Photography/Courtesy The Sonoma-Marin Fair

Mrs. Kravitz

Those pointy ears and happy tongue would make anyone fall in love with this pup.

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Daisy

Daisy’s favorite place to be is half asleep in her mom’s arms.

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Moe

Moe the pug loves being showed off to the crowd at the 2017 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.

Chase

Chase, a Chinese Crested Harke, came all the way from Wales to compete for the World’s Ugliest Dog. It was worth it because he placed third in the 2017 competition.

AP/Shutterstock

Precious

This chihuahua got a few bonus points for sporting this adorable polka-dot outfit.

Peter Dasilva/EPA/Shutterstock

Sweepee Rambo

Sweepee Rambo swept the competition and took home first place in the 2016 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.

Peter Dasilva/EPA/Shutterstock

Smeagle

Smeagle sniffs out the competition.

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Icky

There is nothing icky about this adorable dog with the cutest afro. If you’ve noticed that your own dog is acting a little weird, these are the reasons behind their strange behavior.

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Mugly

On top of being known as one of the cutest ugly dogs around, Mugly is also a therapy dog.

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Quasi Modo

This pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix was born with spinal problems, but that doesn’t stop him from being the happiest dog he can be.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Zoomer

Zommer blocked out the competition with his big hair.

Peter Dasilva/EPA/Shutterstock

Rue

Rue took home third place in the 2016 competition.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Reggie

Reggie has the sweetest eyes that get his owners to give him lots of treats.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Isaboo

This mutt competed in 2015.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Frodo

Frodo is sticking his tongue out in hopes of getting some food. See if you can guess the dog breed based off of its puppy picture.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Morris

Morris isn’t going to let anyone at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest wipe the serious look off his face.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Cyndy Loo Whoo

Cyndy Loo Whoo would fit in great in a Dr. Seuss book.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Bubbers

With a name like Bubbers how could you ever get mad at this little guy?

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Blanquito

Blanquito’s unique skin and crazy hair make him a perfect fit among all of these ugly dogs.

World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Angus

We can’t get enough of that smile. These adorable pictures of dogs dressed for work might actually make you want to go into the office.

Peter Dasilva/EPA/Shutterstock

Peanut

Peanut was the winner of the 2014 competition. His owner proudly shows her off to the crowd.

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Sophie

Sophie is one of the many chihuahuas that competes in the ugly dog competition. They’re so tiny!

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Mayzie Brown

Mayzie proudly walks across the stage at the 2013 competition. All of that fluff is sure to make her a top contender.

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Walle

Walle is a Beagle Bassett Hound and Boxer Mix. He won the competition in 2013, it was probably because of that adorable smile.

Monica M Davey/EPA/Shutterstock

Boolah

Boolah is a little shy and snuggles up to his mom on stage. If you want some laughs, check out these funny dog videos.

Monica M Davey/EPA/Shutterstock

Eleanor

This pup is so happy to be out and about with her dad that she doesn’t even care about winning.

Monica M Davey/EPA/Shutterstock

Elli Mae

Ellie Mae is a Chinese Crested and you will rarely see her with her tongue in her mouth.

Monica M Davey/EPA/Shutterstock

Roo

Roo won the Pedigree Part of the 25th Anniversary World’s Ugliest Dog Contest.

Josh Edelson/EPA/Shutterstock

Pabst

Pabst’s cute teeth won him first place in 2010. For more animal content, check out these hilarious cat and dog photos.

Originally Published: September 03, 2019

Morgan Cutolo

Morgan is an Associate Editor at Reader’s Digest. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016 where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She writes for rd.com, helps lead the editorial relationship with our partners, manages our year-round interns, and keeps the hundreds of pieces of content our team produces every month organized. In her free time, she likes exploring the seacoast of Maine where she lives and works remotely full time and snuggling up on the couch with her corgi, Eggo, to watch HGTV or The Office.