Eugene’s ‘world’s ugliest’ dog will use fame to help other rescue dogs

Petunia, a hairless bat-eared bulldog from Eugene, was named the world’s ugliest dog last week. Her caretaker says the only ugly thing about her is the story of her past.

Lisel Wilhardt, founder and executive director of Eugene’s Luvable Dog Rescue, first met Petunia in the spring, when a California bulldog rescue asked the shelter to take in two of more than 50 dogs recovered from an unethical breeder in Las Vegas.

Wilhardt said Petunia and another bulldog, Lila — since adopted — had been kept in crates stacked atop other crates. Until she came to Luvable’s 55-acre south Eugene shelter in May, Petunia had never worn a collar or been on a walk. At first, she didn’t know to go outside.

“It was like she had no experience of the world,” Wilhardt said. “So we had to start with the absolute basics.”

Petunia’s unusual features were early signs of poor breeding practices. In June, she underwent surgery to correct a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, common in dogs with short snouts and made worse by irresponsible breeding. 

She was also completely hairless, something Wilhardt had only ever seen in French bulldogs with severe mange. Rescue staff now slather Petunia in sunscreen twice daily and massage her skin with coconut oil at night, though she will likely face lifelong skin issues like pimples and cysts.

Despite it all, Wilhardt describes Petunia as a “loving, trusting, joyful dog” from the start. After charming four judges at the Sonoma-Marin Fair’s annual world’s ugliest dog contest and taking home $5,000 — money that will help cover Petunia’s medical costs — she traveled to New York City with volunteer Shannon Nyman to appear on the Today Show on Monday.

It won’t be Petunia’s last time in the spotlight. Wilhardt runs Wonky Dogs, an Instagram account with about 831,000 followers featuring “perfectly imperfect” dogs rescued by Luvable. In February, she registered a for-profit company under the same name, and by September, she and Nyman hope to roll out a website and merch line, with Petunia as its newest ambassador.

The company will use its social media platforms to pursue dog-related brand deals and sell merchandise, with all proceeds supporting animal welfare, including Luvable Dogs Rescue and other groups Wilhardt has partnered with for years.

Wilhardt said she hopes the venture will remind people that dogs with stories like Petunia’s are everywhere.

“We just want it to be a philanthropic exercise where the rescue dogs are trying to raise money for rescue dogs, and Petunia is going to be able to help with that,” Wilhardt said. “That’s going to be Petunia’s mission.”