Mugly wins annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest

Posted June 23, 2012, at 5:08 p.m.
Mugly, an eight-year-old Chinese Crested from Peterborough, Britain, walks on the red carpet during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, June 22, 2012. Mugly won the $1000 as well as the title of the World's Ugliest Dog.
Stephen Lam | Reuters
Mugly, an eight-year-old Chinese Crested from Peterborough, Britain, walks on the red carpet during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, June 22, 2012. Mugly won the $1000 as well as the title of the World's Ugliest Dog.
Jon Adler holds his Chinese crested dog, Icky, during the World's Ugliest Dog contest .
Beth Schlanker | AP
Jon Adler holds his Chinese crested dog, Icky, during the World's Ugliest Dog contest .
Creature, a Mexican Hairless dog, stands on the stage during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest .
Stephen Lam | Reuters
Creature, a Mexican Hairless dog, stands on the stage during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest .
Annie Ragsdale of Lodi, California, carries Rue, a two-year-old Chinese Crested, during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
Stephen Lam | Reuters
Annie Ragsdale of Lodi, California, carries Rue, a two-year-old Chinese Crested, during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
Daisy, a nine-year-old Pug, is seen during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest
Stephen Lam | Reuters
Daisy, a nine-year-old Pug, is seen during the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest
Mouse, a six-year-old Chihuahua, is seen during the 24th World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
Stephen Lam | Reuters
Mouse, a six-year-old Chihuahua, is seen during the 24th World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
The winner, Mugly, with the face of a champion.
Beth Schlanker | AP
The winner, Mugly, with the face of a champion.

A Chinese crested’s short snout, beady eyes and white whiskers earned it the title of World’s Ugliest Dog at the annual contest in Northern California on Friday.

Competing for fame, $1,000 and a year’s worth of dog cookies, Mugly won the honor by beating out 28 other ugly dogs from around the world.

The 8-year-old rescue dog from the United Kingdom will also be invited for a photo shoot and will receive a VIP stay at the local Sheraton.

“I couldn’t speak when they announced Mugly’s name,” said Bev Nicholson, the dog’s owner. “I didn’t know which way to look. I was shaking as much as the dog.”

It’s not the first time Mugly has been recognized for his unattractiveness. Nicholson said he was named Britain’s ugliest dog in 2005.

The contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds gets worldwide attention, with reporters and camera crews from around the world traveling to Petaluma, about 40 miles north of San Francisco.

Organizers say the competing dogs are judged for what they term their “natural ugliness in both pedigree and mutt classes.”

Mugly’s victory was the latest for a Chinese crested. Last year’s winner, Yoda, was a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix.

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