Overview

• Judges evaluated contestants based on appearance, personality and audience reaction during Friday’s showcase in Santa Rosa
• Originating in the 1970s, the contest has grown into a high-profile platform promoting canine adoption and resilience
• Runner-up Jinny Lu, a five-year-old pug with a crooked tongue, returned after a 2023 defeat to claim second place
• Third-place finisher Poppy, a seven-year-old Chinese Crested dog with sparse hair tufts, earned acclaim for her distinctive look
• Organizers emphasize that the event spotlights shelter animals and challenges perceptions of conventional canine beauty