Who let the dogs out? Fat canine contest goes viral

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

A social media contest in Delhi named the city’s chubbiest stray dog from 64 entrants, drawing nearly 100,000 followers and ending with a final vote between two popular dogs, one of whom reportedly died before the conclusion. The event spotlighted the affectionate yet complicated relationship Delhi residents have with their large stray dog population, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing and protecting these animals amidst public safety concerns.

In Delhi, a social media-driven contest to name the city’s chubbiest dog drew widespread public attention over the past week, highlighting both affection for local strays and ongoing challenges posed by their rising numbers. The “Fat Dogs of Delhi” competition, inspired by Alaska’s Fat Bear Week, launched on September 24 with 64 canine contestants and concluded on September 30 with a closely watched final round.

The event, hosted anonymously on Instagram, attracted nearly 100,000 followers who voted for their favorite plump pooch. The final round featured two dogs: Gola, a rotund brown hound whose name translates to "round" and who was affectionately nicknamed “Kebab,” and Googoo, a large brown-and-white dog. However, the competition was thrown into uncertainty when reports emerged that Gola had passed away just before the final vote.

Organizers noted their surprise at the dramatic surge in online engagement since the contest’s inception, which included viral videos of the dogs receiving belly rubs. Alongside entertainment, the platform shared information about animal welfare groups working to improve the lives of Delhi’s stray dogs, a population estimated to number in the tens of thousands.

Stray dogs are a common presence across the Indian capital, with many middle-class neighborhoods embracing them as companions—some even provide jackets to help their street dogs endure harsh winters. Despite this affection, the city also faces ongoing issues linked to stray dogs, including reported attacks. These problems stem partly from insufficient sterilization efforts and legal restrictions that limit the use of culling as a population control measure.

In response to the growing stray dog issue, India’s Supreme Court had ordered a large-scale roundup of strays last year. However, this initiative was largely scaled back after concerns were raised about the feasibility and humanitarian aspects of such measures.

While the “Fat Dogs of Delhi” contest served as lighthearted entertainment for many, it also brought renewed attention to the complex relationship between Delhi’s residents and their stray canine communities, underscoring efforts to balance animal welfare with public safety in the city.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.