Does your dog sleep upside down in the bathtub, carry around a favorite sock, or refuse to eat until you pretend to prepare their dinner? Those wonderfully strange habits could now earn your pup a place on a Times Square billboard, thanks to a new contest from canine genetics company Embark Veterinary.
On October 15, 2026, Embark officially launched its search for the “World’s Weirdest Dog,” inviting dog parents to share the unusual behaviors that make their four-legged companions unforgettable. The contest runs through November 15, and the winning dog will receive a New York City billboard appearance, a gift card, and a canine DNA test that could reveal more about their unique traits.
Every Dog Has That One Strange Little Habit
Every dog parent has probably witnessed something their pup does that makes absolutely no sense. Maybe their dog insists on following a peculiar bedtime routine, refuses to walk past one particular house, or stares at an empty wall as though something fascinating is happening there.
These are exactly the kinds of behaviors Embark wants to celebrate. The company believes the little things that make dogs different deserve attention, whether those habits come from genetics, experiences, or simply routines they’ve developed over time.
To help dog parents recognize a contest-worthy quirk, Embark shared several playful examples. A dog might sleep upside down in the bathtub, carry a sock everywhere without chewing it, or refuse dinner unless their person performs a pretend preparation ritual.
There is no requirement for a dog to perform an impressive trick or demonstrate a special talent. The contest focuses on unusual everyday habits, giving dogs with delightfully odd routines a chance to stand out.
One Weird Dog Could End Up in Times Square
Entering the competition is straightforward. Dog parents can submit a photo or video showing their pup’s strangest habit, along with an optional short story explaining what makes the behavior so memorable.
Once an entry is submitted, the public can vote for their favorites. Voting is open to everyone, including people who don’t have dogs of their own, and participants can share their entries to encourage friends and family to support their pups.
The biggest reward goes to the dog crowned the “World’s Weirdest Dog.” The first-place winner will appear on a Times Square billboard and receive a $200 gift card, plus a free Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test with the Behavior Insights & Training upgrade.
Dogs finishing in second through fifth place will each receive a $150 gift card and the same DNA testing package. Those placing sixth through fifteenth will also receive the DNA test and behavior upgrade, giving 15 dogs a chance to take home prizes.
Both entries and public voting remain open through November 15, 2026. That gives dog parents a month to capture the peculiar routines they’ve probably been laughing about for years.
Could Your Dog’s DNA Explain Their Quirks?
Behind the playful competition is a subject Embark has been exploring through canine genetics. The company recently introduced its Behavior Insights & Training feature, designed to help dog parents understand how inherited traits may influence certain behaviors.
Embark says it has tested more than three million dogs, building a large collection of genetic information used for canine health and behavior research. The company also works with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine as an official research partner.
Of course, not every unusual habit has a genetic explanation. Some behaviors develop through learning and repetition, while others may remain difficult to explain even when a dog’s genetic background is known.
That distinction is part of what makes the competition interesting. Embark is not asking participants to prove why their dogs behave strangely, only to show the unusual things their dogs actually do.
A Chance to Celebrate What Makes Your Dog Different
For dog parents, the competition offers a fun reason to capture the routines that have become familiar parts of life with their pets. A dog who insists on carrying the same sock from room to room might suddenly have an audience far beyond the family living room.
And while the Times Square billboard is the grand prize, the contest is open to dogs with all kinds of quirks. Whether a pup has an unusual sleeping position, a very particular dinner ritual, or a habit nobody in the household can explain, their everyday behavior could become their winning entry.
Entries and voting close on November 15, 2026. Until then, Embark is inviting dog parents to show the world the wonderfully weird habits that make their dogs one of a kind.
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
Toledo, United States.