NATIONAL UGLY DOG DAY

NATIONAL UGLY DOG DAY

National Ugly Dog Day on June 20th rolls out the red carpet for the underdogs—the incredibly sweet, uniquely structured, wonderfully wonky, and beautifully imperfect pups! Today we celebrate the charm that lies entirely outside traditional pageant standards to remind the world that true beauty is found in unconditional love, mismatched ears, crooked teeth, and a wagging tail.

#UglyDogDay

Let's be real, purebred dogs get their fair share of attention for their perfect pedigree. Yet, we rarely celebrate the pups who prove you don’t need to be perfect to feel extra love from a human heart. National Ugly Dog Day turns the spotlight onto the dogs with "extra character" because beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.

All dogs, in our opinion, possess a magnetic charm, even a cross-eyed rescue mutt or a bulldog with a permanent underbite that could catch raindrops. But when people talk about the "ugliest" dog breeds, they are usually referring to dogs that drastically deviate from traditional canine beauty standards—fluffy coats, cute eyes, and floppy ears. Ugly dogs, however, are beautiful in an unconventional way. Their distinct looks make them unmistakably perfect, often featuring these key traits:

  1. Uneven hair patches or lack of fur. In fact, some are completely bald or have exposed skin.

  2. Short-short-muzzled faces with deep wrinkles and pushed-in noses that go outside the "normal" canine symmetry.

  3. Saggy skin with deep folds and droopy eyes that you only see in a carnival mirror.

  4. Bandy legs that sit on top of a body that is visibly disproportionate.

  5. Eyes that bulge out a face that has too small of a snout.

Beyond the laughs, National Ugly Dog day carries a beautiful message of inclusivity. It reminds us that dogs don't care about mirrors, symmetry, or social media filters. The only thing a dog cares about is loyalty and affection from their human.

What Dog Breeds Are Considered Ugly?

Chinese Crested Breed

What they look like: This breed is small and completely hairless. Their skin is pinkish and spotted, except for the long, fluffy "pompoms" of hair exploding exclusively from their heads, ankles, and tails.

Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog) Breed

What they look like: This is an ancient, regal breed that is entirely hairless. Their skin is rough, leathery, in a solid black, bronze, or slate gray. This dog breed has been known to sport a scruffy mohawk on top of their head.

English Bull Terrier Breed

What they look like: This breed of dog is a heavily muscular breed famous for its smooth, egg-shaped head that seems to flow perfectly between their forehead and their nose. Their eyes are oddly slanted with a triangular shape and are small compared to most dog breeds.

Neapolitan Mastiff Breed

What they look like: The Neapolitan Mastiff is a HUGE dog. Their faces have deep wrinkles with a lot of "skin" hanging from their body. They tend to drool a lot, too. Interestingly, many people think this dog breed is naturally sad until they learn their playful demeanor.

Pug & Pekingese Breed

What they look like: Both the Pug and Pekingese dog breeds are small and compact, with bugging eyes and extremely flat faces. With their unmanageable fur, both of these breeds look more like cartoons than they do real dogs.

4 WAYS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL UGLY DOG DAY

  1. Take a drive down to your local animal shelter and ask the staff to introduce you to their longest-serving or most overlooked residents. Many times, the dogs left are not considered to be "cute." You might fall in love with one of the unique pups and give them their forever home.

  2. Host an ugly dog contest in your neighborhood or community by creating an event that ugly dog owners can participate in is a great way to bring awareness to the not-so-popular breeds. Have the community place votes for the "flattest nose" or "biggest overbite", then present awards to the owners.

  3. Learn about the ugly dog breeds from around the world to see why so many people love them. Who knows, you may find yourself wanting one of these dogs because of their loyalty, intelligence, and vibrant character.

  4. Give your ugly canine companion an extra-large bone, a long walk, or a belly rub. They don't need to know they look unique. The only thing they need to feel is the extra love today.

  5. Share photos of your imperfect pup on social media using the hashtag #UglyDogDay.

HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL UGLY DOG DAY

We were unable to find the creator of National Ugly Dog Day. However, we did find the day evolved after the famous World's Ugliest Dog Contest, which has been held the third Friday in June each year in Petaluma, California. It's possible we celebrate on June 20th as a day to celebrate the winner of the National Ugliest Dog Contest.