Every dog has its day and for nine-year-old English bulldog Zsa Zsa that day came this weekend when she took home the top prize at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
The annual competition showcases some of the world’s most peculiar looking pooches, with crossed eyes, patches of hair loss, crooked teeth and squashed faces on display and in demand.
When it came to the ugliest in show though, the judges couldn’t go past Zsa Zsa, who’s show-stopping underbite, lolling tongue and bowed legs cinched her the gold at the US competition. Zsa Zsa’s owner Megan Brainard of Minnesota, US, receivedc US$1,500 (A$2,000, £1,130) for her triumph – and there’s no doubt plenty of it will go to a few juicy treats for Zsa Zsa.
The event, which is actually a celebration of the dogs — many of which are rescued from shelters — has been running for more than 25 years and is intended to promote pet adoption around the world. Organisers say they hope to show people that not all dogs have to be pedigree to be man’s best friend.
As well as Zsa Zsa, this year’s competitors included a formerly obese dog with sagging skin, a dog with a crooked face and different coloured eyes, and a Pekingese named Wild Thang.
Hairless chihuahua Rascal Deux’s has won a number of ugly dog competitions in the past and looked in fine form as he posed in a leopard-print coat and round shades.
Another competitor, Himisaboo, has a dachshund body and long legs. Except for the hair on his toes, head and tail, he’s hairless.
While Tee Tee, a Chinese crested didn’t win, he definitely put on quite a show for the judging panel.
Last year, a 57 kilogram neapolitan mastiff, named Martha, with a droopy face took the title.
The year before that, first place went to a blind, 17-year-old Chinese chihuahua.