The 2025 winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest has bloomed into an adorably quirky champion after being rescued from living in a crate in a neglected situation.

It's only fitting her name is Petunia.

The 2-year-old hairless French bulldog mix appeared live on TODAY alongside handler Shannon Nyman on Aug. 11. She basked in her victory, three days after winning $5,000, a spot on limited-edition cans from sponsor Mug Root Beer and the coveted bragging rights for being selected as the World's Ugliest Dog .

"I think she's feeling great," Nyman said on TODAY. "She loves all the attention, she loves all the affection, all the humans petting her."

Petunia beat out nine other dogs at this year's contest on Aug. 8 at the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa, California. A panel of four judges

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