.svg)
Get ready to celebrate the world's ugliest dogs on June 20th with National Ugliest Dog Day! This holiday was created in order to appreciate all of those pups who may not be as photogenic as others. Whether they have droopy eyes, giant ears, or just a goofy smile - these special pooches deserve their day in the spotlight and are perfect examples of why love truly is blind.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1976</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ugliest Dog Contest Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first-ever World's Ugliest Dog Contest took place in Petaluma, California, sparking subsequent celebrations of unique dog beauty.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Rising Popularity</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Ugliest Dog Contest gained widespread attention, encouraging the development of a holiday to commemorate these special dogs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ugliest Dog Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Ugliest Dog Day was officially recognized, dedicating a day annually to celebrate "ugly" dogs globally.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Online Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Social media participation boomed, with pet owners sharing photos and stories about their different-looking pooches online.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Record Participation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World's Ugliest Dog Contest recorded its highest number of participants, reflecting the growing popularity of the holiday.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to Covid-19, celebrations for National Ugliest Dog Day moved online, creating a new tradition of digital celebrations.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a Ugliest Dog Parade</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather up all your friends and family with their ugliest looking dogs and have a parade. Let the dogs strut their stuff and show off their unique looks.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a scrapbook</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Collect photos of all the ugliest dogs you know and make a special scrapbook to commemorate Ugliest Dog Day.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an ugly dog contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over and have everyone bring their ugliest dog and let the competition begin! You can even give out prizes for the ugliest, most unique, or funniest looking dog.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take silly pictures</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab that camera and take some silly pictures of your dog in funny poses or costumes.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Pamper your pup</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Give your pup a special treat on this day by taking them to get groomed or buying them a new toy or treat.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates diversity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Ugliest Dog Day isn't about judging dogs on their looks. Instead, it celebrates the diversity and uniqueness that all dogs have to offer. By appreciating each dog's own individual quirkiness, we learn to see beauty in all things - however "ugly" they may seem!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages us to love unconditionally</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>No matter how a dog looks or acts, Ugliest Dog Day reminds us that our furry friends deserve as much love and respect as any other canine companion. Even if it doesn't fit the conventional definition of "beauty," the bond that forms between an owner and their beloved pup is truly irreplaceable.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a reminder to celebrate the underdog</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The ugliest dog can often be found as one of the sweetest pet companions out there. They don't care what you look like; all they want is for you to show them kindness and love. So take a moment this Ugliest Dog Day to recognize and appreciate all of your unusual friends who just need a little extra love every now and then!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Peanut, who resembled a wild hyena, won the title</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 2014, an adorable feral-looking dog named Peanut led the pack at the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, showing that no pup's unique look goes unappreciated.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A Chinese Crested Chihuahua reigned supreme multiple times</h3><p class='facts-content'>A little Chinese Crested Chihuahua named Yoda took home the champion title twice in 2011 and 2012, proving that when it comes to unconventional beauty, size doesn't matter.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The longest living "ugliest dog"</h3><p class='facts-content'>An "ugly" one-eyed, three-legged dog named Jake lived to be 16 years old, showing that these unique pups can live long, healthy lives.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Breed diversity is celebrated</h3><p class='facts-content'>The World's Ugliest Dog Contest and Ugliest Dog Day see a diverse range of breeds partaking in the contest - from purebred Poodles to unknown mixes, putting their own spin on the competition and celebrating breed diversity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The contest promotes rescue over breeding</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many of the pups that participate in National Ugliest Dog Day events are rescues, encouraging potential pet owners to consider adopting a pet from a shelter or rescues rather than purchasing from breeders.</p></div></div>
Ugliest Dog Day is celebrated on June 20 every year. In 2024, Ugliest Dog Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Jun 20
Tuesday
2024
Jun 20
Thursday
2025
Jun 20
Friday
2026
Jun 20
Saturday
2027
Jun 20
Sunday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
