Five-time World's Ugliest Dog contestant Wild Thang named winner ...

A tongue-in-cheek foster pup won judges' hearts at the 2024 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, landing his much sought-after win after years on the back foot.

Eight-year-old Pekingese 'Wild Thang' came in first place at the annual competition on Friday, which takes place every year at Sonoma-Marin Fair in California's Petaluma.

Wild Thang is no stranger to the ugly dog contest, having competed in five previous World's Ugliest Dog competitions. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, he presently calls Oregon home, where he's looked after by owner Ann Lewis. 

The duo is now $US5,000 ($7,500) richer and will soak up their victory on the national stage next week, when they're flown to New York for a special appearance on NBC's The Today Show.

"Well, I think Wild Thang was a fan favourite," California State Treasurer and contest judge Fiona Ma said.

"And the fact that he had been competing for five times and only came in second is kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride, I think really tugged at our heart strings that you know, he deserved to win."

Wild Thang claimed his first win this year after entering the contest five times. (AFP: Josh Edelson)

It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows for Wild Thang. 

He contracted distemper as a puppy, according to the event organisers, and suffered permanent damage despite many therapy attempts.

Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that cannot be cured and is often fatal unless diagnosed early. 

"His teeth did not grow in, causing his tongue to stay out and his right front leg paddles 24/7," Sonoma-Marin Fair said.

"Other than that, he is a healthy, happy glugly (glamorous/ugly) guy … his purpose in life is to promoted the necessity of getting your pets vaccinated."

Wild Thang's Instagram is used to raise funds for bringing to safety his fellow Pekingese stranded in the war zone in Ukraine. 

Second place in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest was a wheelchair-bound 14-year-old pug named Rome. 

The first-time entrant came into the competition to raise awareness around animal rescue and adoption.

His owner Michelle Grady was thrilled with the result.

"To win second place out of everybody that was here is a real honour," she said. 

"I love this whole contest. I love that it represents dogs that are imperfect — imperfectly perfect."

Rome, a 14-year-old pug, who came in second place in this year's ugly dog contest.(Sonoma-Marin Fair )

Fourteen-year-old Daisy Mae was named second runner up.(AP: Nic Coury)

Third place in the 2024 show went to another first-time contestant — 14-year-old mixed breed rescue dog Daisy May, from Lafayette, California.

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been held annually for close to 50 years and seeks to inform the public on pet care and adoption. 

It gives dog owners a platform to show off the unique beauty of their pups, actively trying to promote the adoption of animals struggling to find homes due to their medical deformities.

Many of the contestant dogs are those rescued from shelters and puppy mills.

"The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of 'ugly' dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!" the organisers said.

ABC/Reuters