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World's Ugliest Dog Competition

2012 World's Ugliest Dog Contestant Pictures
cute animals

A Face Only a (Pet) Mother Could Love

It's June, which means that an important animal event is just around the corner.
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2012 World's Ugliest Dog Contestant Pictures

It's June, which means that an important animal event is just around the corner. That's right: it's the World's Ugliest Dog Contest! The parade of so-ugly-they're-cute pups will take place on June 22 in Petaluma, CA, but the contest organizers are already giving us a peek at some of the contestants. Between now and the show date, you can check out the competition and vote for your favorite. While the winner of the $1,000 prize ultimately will be determined on the contest day by a panel of judges, we're loving the lineup so far . . . and making guesses as to who will be successor to last year's champ, Yoda!

Source: Getty Images

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World's Ugliest Dog Died
RIP

RIP, Miss Ellie — An Ugly Dog Passes On

One of my favorite events every June is the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.
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One of my favorite events every June is the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. I've attended in 2008 and 2009 and had the chance to meet several of the peculiar pups and their owners, including Dawn Goehring and Miss Ellie. Sadly, this Chinese Crested pooch passed away at age 17 (!) this week before making a trip this month to CA to compete one last time.

Miss Ellie captured the Ugliest Purebred title in the 2009 semi-finals but lost to Pabst in the end and hopefully is frolicking away with the 2008 winner, Gus, in doggie heaven. RIP, sweet pup, you'll always be cute to me!

Weigh In: Who Was the Ugliest of Them All?
Poll

Weigh In: Who Was the Ugliest of Them All?

I know, I know, Pabst is pretty darn cute to many of us (myself included).
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I know, I know, Pabst is pretty darn cute to many of us (myself included). However, since this year's Ugliest Dog title included a modeling contract, maybe it's his interesting look that prompted the victory? After all, several of the winners in past years have been Chinese Cresteds . . . and Pabst surely wouldn't be mistaken for that breed anytime soon. The final round came down to the Ugliest Purebred 2009 (that's Miss Ellie on the left), the Ugliest Mutt 2009, and any past title holders competing in the Ring of Champions (that's Rascal on the right). Who do you think deserved to win?

Photos and Fun from the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California
2009 Ugly Dog Contest

It's a Dog's World: Fun at the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Contest

Variety is the spice of life, and thankfully we got a taste at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma.
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Variety is the spice of life, and thankfully we got a taste at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma. The winner wasn't a Chinese Crested (like it has been in past contests), but a Boxer mix named Pabst who walked away with the blue ribbon and stole the hearts of the crowd with his huge underbite. But for me, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest wouldn't be complete without a stroll through the barns and coops of the other furry (and non-furry) animals that take their place at the fair. My favorite this year were the bunnies, and I secretly had my eye on a few to sneak home in my bag!

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Check out some of the other sights from the Sonoma-Marin Fair, including a mobile pet adoption center (so cute), and the "Ugly is The New Beautiful" fashion show sponsored by House of Dog when you read more

Pabst Is the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog
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And the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog Is . . .

Another Petaluma scorcher for this year's Ugly Dog Contest!
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Another Petaluma scorcher for this year's Ugly Dog Contest! The 2009 champ was a new face who won me over with his pronounced underbite, which he uses like a scoop to get the food in at mealtime. Ha. Even though the last several years have featured lil pups like the late Gus, this time a big pup's top dog.

Four-year-old Pabst and his owner, Miles Egstad, came from Citrus Heights, CA — the Boxer mix was super sweet, loved the shade, and seemed to be rather sleepy before his turn on stage. Resting up for his time in the sun, I bet. We got a glimpse of Pabst, blue ribbon and all, so see one more cute pic (and hear what his owner had to say about the win) when you read more

The Results Are In: Most Missed Celebripup
RIP

The Results Are In: Most Missed Celebripup

It's easy to watch celebrities bond with the cute pets that share their homes and lives, and feel a connection to them as well.
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It's easy to watch celebrities bond with the cute pets that share their homes and lives, and feel a connection to them as well. However, the dog we voted as this year's most missed pet is one I actually got to meet up close . . .
Gus! This pup already has a special place in my heart since I got to pet and hold him back in June. I can assure you that his owners were super sweet and truly cherished their winner of the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition.

Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle
RIP

Breaking News: 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Loses Cancer Battle

When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot.
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When I met Gus up close and personal moments after he won the title of 2008 World's Ugliest Dog back in June, it was clear he had gone through a lot. This 9-year-old rescued pooch endured radiation, surgery on a malignant tumor, and a leg amputation from his skin cancer – and what I remember most from my chat with his super-sweet owners was that the pup had a fondness for pizza . . . yum!

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but sadly he just passed away. RIP, Gus!

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I wanted to honor this pooch's big win in a gallery of photos so check them out when you read more

A Few Words With Elwood's Fabulous Tongue
Animal Videos

A Few Words With Elwood's Fabulous Tongue

Everyone was clamoring to chat Elwood up at event is that all dogs, regardless of appearance, can find loving forever homes with fabulous people.
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Everyone was clamoring to chat Elwood up at this year's World's Ugliest Dog Competition! Now, maybe it was his bling-y collar, his trademark dangling tongue – it hangs out because he's got no teeth on the bottom left side of his mouth –, or because this was the reigning champion, 2007 World's Ugliest Dog. I caught up with Karen Quigley and her rescue pooch before the show started; coming all the way from New Jersey, the doggie's been quite busy in his year on top! There's a children's book, Everyone Loves Elwood, and celebrity appearances to promote the need to adopt shelter pets. I'd say the take-away message from this event is that all dogs, regardless of appearance, can find loving forever homes with fabulous people. Check out Elwood's flopping, lizard-like tongue flickering at his eye in this video clip when you read more

Ugly Dog Archie Shares Sunscreen Tips For Pets
summer

Ugly Dog Archie Shares Sunscreen Tips For Pets

I had a great time making new furry – and not so furry – friends at the
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I had a great time making new furry – and not so furry – friends at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. While up in Petaluma, I witnessed spraying bottles, dabbing with damp towels, and plenty of other owners trying to keep their pets cool in the 95-degree heat. While I chatted with the super-sweet Heather Peoples (who came all the way from Phoenix with her husband and Xoloitzcuintle, Reggie), I got to hold Archie, who had his moment in the sun as World's Ugliest Dog from 2006!Since many of the doggies were short-haired or hairless breeds, I was curious how to keep these pets safe in the scorching sun . . . especially considering the reigning champion has skin cancer already. Learn how Archie deals with the heat, as well as checking out some recommended sunscreens just for pets when you read more

Behind-the-Scenes Video from the 2008 Ugliest Dog Contest!
Animal Videos

Behind-the-Scenes Video from the 2008 Ugliest Dog Contest!

I loved chatting with the charming contestants – and their peculiar pets – at the
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I loved chatting with the charming contestants – and their peculiar pets – at the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Competition. I was so excited to see the pooches that I nearly forgot all the other fair fun! From ferris wheels to funnel cake, there were plenty of things to keep me occupied 'til showtime. See the Sonoma-Marin Fair through my eyes . . . leading up to Gus's big moment in the sun! Enjoy!