Overview
- Jinny Lu was crowned the 2026 winner on Aug. 14 at the Sonoma County Fair and received the $5,000 top prize and a trophy.
- The win includes media and sponsor opportunities, with appearances planned on TODAY and limited-edition MUG Root Beer cans to boost the pug's visibility.
- Jinny Lu was rescued from South Korea's dog meat trade and adopted about four years ago; she now visits elementary schools, hospice patients and memory-care residents as an ambassador for rescue dogs.
- The contest, staged as the 50th edition by the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association, judged nine dogs before a panel that included media and political figures and awarded $3,000 to runner-up Pinky and $2,000 to third-place Otto.
- Organizers cast the event as a platform for adoption and compassion, a framing that outlets tied to wider shelter data showing millions of pets enter U.S. shelters each year and that adoption remains a key route to finding homes.