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50 Ugly Dogs That Are Still So Darn Cute

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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Courtesy The Sonoma-Marin Fair

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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ugly dog 1
Courtesy The Sonoma-Marin Fair

Scamp the Tramp

Look at those locks.

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ugly dog rico
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Rico

Rico gives out a constant wink.

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ugly dog jake
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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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ugly dog lemmy
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Lemmy

Look at that sweet face.

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ugly dog monkey
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Monkey

This adorable pups loves long car rides and meeting new people. Don’t miss these dogs with beards that you will absolutely fall in love with.

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ugly dog rascal deux
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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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ugly dog tostito
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Tostito

That tongue is ready to give kisses all day long.

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ugly dog gertrude
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Gertrude

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

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ugly dog grendel
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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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ugly dog fabio
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Fabio

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

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ugly dog josie
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Josie

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

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ugly dog teetee
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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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ugly dog wild thang
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Wild Thang

Look at that fluff!

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ugly dog rooby roux
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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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ugly dog himisaboo
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Himisaboo

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

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ugly dog miss moogie
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Miss Moogie

Moogie weighs only 4.6 pounds but has a big heart.

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ugly dog willie wonka
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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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ugly dog puka
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Puka

Puka always has a big smile on her face.

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ugly dog meatloaf
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Meatloaf

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

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ugly dog zsa zsa
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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Jeff Chiu/AP/Shutterstock

Martha

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

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ugly dog mrs. kravitz
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. For even more cuteness, don’t miss these dogs with blue eyes that are absolutely striking.

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ugly dog daisy
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Daisy

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

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ugly dog moe
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Moe

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

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ugly dog chase

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.

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ugly dog precious
AP/Shutterstock

Precious

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

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ugly dog sweepee rambo
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Sweepee Rambo

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

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Ugly dog smeagle
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Smeagle

Smeagle sniffs out the competition.

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ugly dog icky
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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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ugly dog mugly
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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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ugly dog quasi modo
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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.

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ugly dog zoomer
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Zoomer

Zommer blocked out the competition with his big hair.

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ugly dog rue
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Rue

Rue took home third place in the 2016 competition.

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ugly dog reggie
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Reggie

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

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ugly dog isaboo
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Isaboo

This mutt competed in 2015.

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ugly dog frodo
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.

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ugly dog morris
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.

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ugly dog cyndy loo whoo
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Cyndy Loo Whoo

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

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ugly dog bubbers
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Bubbers

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

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ugly dog blanquito
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Blanquito

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

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ugly dog angus
World'S Ugliest Dog/Shutterstock

Angus

We can’t get enough of that smile.

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ugly dog peanut
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Peanut

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

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ugly dog sophie
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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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ugly dog mayzie brown
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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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ugly dog walle
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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.

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ugly dog boolah
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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.

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ugly dog eleanor
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Eleanor

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

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ugly dog ellie mae
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Elli Mae

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

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ugly dog roo
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Roo

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

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ugly dog pabst
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Pabst

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

Morgan Cutolo
Morgan Cutolo is a former senior production editor at Trusted Media Brands. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2016, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. In her free time, she likes exploring the seacoast of Maine, where she lives, and snuggling up on the couch with her corgi, Eggo, to watch HGTV or The Office.