A pug with a protruding tongue is the World's Ugliest Dog — fetching her a cool $5,000, a trophy and a trip to New York

A pug with a protruding tongue is the World's Ugliest Dog — fetching her a cool $5,000, a trophy and a trip to New York

Jessica Wong

Fri, August 21, 2026 at 5:50 PM GMT+3 5 min read

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for Jinny Lu, being judged the ugliest of them all just paid off — to the tune of $5,000.

The 6-year-old pug, whose bulging eyes and perpetually dangling tongue helped her stand out from the pack, was crowned the winner of the 2026 World's Ugliest Dog® Contest, produced by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association during the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. The quirky competition celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Must Read

• Jeff Bezos backs a platform that lets anyone invest in rental homes for as little as $100 — 6 ways to build wealth like a landlord without actually being one

• Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake. Here's what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP

• The tax breaks in Trump's 'big beautiful bill' expire after 2028. Here are 4 moves to make before the window closes

Jinny Lu's road to the crown wasn't an easy one. She finished second in 2025 and this year marked her fourth attempt at the title.

Her story had much humbler beginnings far from the red carpet: She was rescued in South Korea after reportedly being found in a wooden box in freezing conditions in the mountains. She was eventually brought to the U.S. by a pug rescue organization and adopted by owner Michelle Grady.

Now she's a champion with a check.

From rescue dog to $5,000 winner

The annual contest is less about poking fun at funny-looking pups than its name might suggest. Organizers use the event to celebrate unconventional dogs and promote pet adoption, and many competitors have rescue stories of their own.

Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association shared a press release with Moneywise.

"This event has always been about celebrating the dogs that might otherwise be overlooked," she said. "We're incredibly proud of what the World's Ugliest Dog Contest has become and grateful to have partners like MUG Root Beer who understand the heart behind it. Together, we're able to have some fun while sharing a much bigger message about adoption and giving every dog a chance to be loved."

This year, Jinny Lu walked away with a trophy, a monetary prize of $5,000, plus a trip to New York for an appearance on NBC's Today Show. She'll also get another claim to fame: Her face is expected to appear on limited-edition cans of contest sponsor Mug Root Beer.

Pinky, an albino Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix, took home second place and $3,000, while Otto, a Chihuahua mix with a double cleft lip and cleft palate, finished third and earned $2,000.

While it may not be Powerball lottery money, $5,000 is still the kind of unexpected cash injection that can make a meaningful difference to a household's finances. Especially if you resist the urge to spend it all at once on chew toys.

Read More: Vanguard reveals what's coming for U.S. stocks — and it could be bad news for this group of investors

What could you do with an unexpected windfall?

Whether it comes from a contest, work bonus, inheritance or another windfall, the first move is the simplest: Don't rush to spend it.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission says a lump-sum payment can provide a longer-term financial boost when it's used to cut down debt and bolster savings and investments.

If you're carrying high-interest credit-card debt, tackling that could be one of the strongest uses of the money. The SEC notes that paying off high-interest debt can effectively be one of the best "investments" you make because the interest charged on that debt is often higher than the return you could reasonably expect from investing.

Not carrying any debt? Consider adding to your emergency fund. Keeping cash available in a bank or credit union account can help cover an unexpected car repair, bill or other financial surprise without forcing you to reach for a credit card.

Once those bases are covered, investing some of the windfall could give the money a chance to grow. The SEC recommends figuring out your short-, medium- and long-term goals and choosing investments that match your time horizon and risk tolerance. Tax-advantaged retirement accounts, including IRAs, may also be worth considering.

There is an important consideration for contest winners to remember: taxes. The IRS generally treats prizes and awards as taxable income, meaning winning $5,000 doesn't necessarily mean you get to keep every dollar of it.

As for Jinny Lu, she's already pulled off a pretty impressive financial transformation.

From being rescued from a wooden box in the mountains of South Korea to taking home a $5,000 prize and getting her face on soda cans, this underdog has officially come out on top.

What To Read Next

• Millionaires under 43 hold only 25% of their wealth in stocks. Here's where their money is actually going

• Here's the average income of Americans by age in 2026. Are you keeping up or falling behind?

• Robert Kiyosaki says China is 'dumping' the US as America piles on debt. Fortify your riches with 4 key assets

• This fund has historically paid 8% or higher for 25 months, with just a $100 minimum to start — 4 ways to grow your cash without the stock market

Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise's best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: A pug with a protruding tongue is the World's Ugliest Dog — fetching her a cool $5,000, a trophy and a trip to New York

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.