It’s a contest where beauty is in the eye of the leash holder.

At the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, an 8-year-old Pekingese from Oregon named Wild Thang finally became top dog.

Known for his unique looks characterized by a lolling tongue and unruly fur, Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis of North Bend took home a $5,000 check.

Wild Thang had finished second place in the contest three times in previous years.

“Wild Thang was a fan favorite,” said Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer and one of the judges of this year’s contest. “The fact that he had been competing for five times and only came in second, it’s kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride. I think it really tugged on our heartstrings that he deserved to win.”

Wild Thang was born and raised in Los Angeles until recently moving to Oregon. According to his bio, he contracted distemper as a puppy from a rescue foster, causing his tongue to stick out.

Apart from the physical issues, his owner says Wild Thang is healthy and happy.

The World’s Ugliest Dog contest has been a highlight at the fair for almost 50 years and promotes adopting dogs from shelters, instead of breeders, especially senior dogs.

Second place went to a wheelchair-bound pug named Rome, with the bronze medal awarded to a mixed breed rescue called Daisy May.

According to The Press Democrat newspaper in Sonoma County, who tried to interview Lewis after Wild Thang’s win, prizes for this year’s Ugliest Dog contest were contingent on her giving an exclusive first interview to NBC’s “Today” show. Look for Lewis and Wild Thang to appear on the show live Monday morning.

— Staff and wire reports