People love awards. Academic, attendance, military, gifts, etc. But what if you could win an award based on your dog’s looks? Well there is such a thing. They have awards based on their dog’s appearance. It might seem mean to the dog, but what do they know? For over 25 years, this contest has become an international phenomenon and brings forth so many interesting dogs to the world.
The contest is held in Petaluma, California at the Sonoma-Marin Fair and has become an international event for dogs that don’t meet the “AKC pedigree standards to be man’s (or woman’s) best friend” (World’s Ugliest Dog). This year, the world’s ugliest dog went to an English bulldog named, Zsa Zsa. The owner received $1,500 for the win. Last year the award went to a Neopolitan Mastiff with a droopy face and as fostered by the Dogwood Animals Rescue Group (Padgett).
The dogs walk across to the panel of judges who then check the dogs for their imperfections up close. Winners from past years “have been rescued from animals’ shelters and puppy mills” (Padgett). Plus, many of them are up for adoption and raise awareness for pet rescue. So, not only is this contest something fun to see for families, but also raises awareness for the animals. If only this contest can reflect more empty shelters.
Dogs of all breeds are welcome to join the contest but there is a pre-contest entertainment section that wraps up the information on adoption and pet care. Each owner will hold up their dogs in the limelight of the crowd and then escorted to the red carpet to the judges.
The winner, as mentioned above, receives $1,500. The second place gets $1,000 and third place gets $500. “One dog will also be awarded the Spirit Award, which highlights one special dog and owner who have overcome obstacles or provided service in the community – such as visiting nursing homes, reading at local libraries with children or spending time with patients in hospitals” (Padgett).
This year, there were fourteen dogs competing and all of them went home as winners since they each went home with gift baskets and “a personalized pet tag by Pawscout, the Smarter Pet Tag, the contest’s presenting sponsor” (English).
Zsa Zsa, the winner of 2018 ugliest dog contest was nine year’s old when she won. She has a “swaggering tongue” and “delivered a shower of slobber as she claimed this year’s title” (English). She was in a puppy mill for five years and then sent to a dog auction which is where she was purchased by Underdog Rescue.
To conclude, the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is open to all dogs around the world. Of course, you want your dog to be on the uglier side of appearances, but make sure you know about adoption and rescuing pets so the judges can keep a special eye out. Who knows? Maybe you could win $1,500 and a chance for your dog to win something based on their looks alone.
“World’s Ugliest Dog.” Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center, www.sonoma-marinfair.org/portfolio-item/worlds-ugliest-dog/.
“2018 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest: Contestants, How to Vote and Past Wi | Atlanta: News, Weather and Traffic.” WSB Radio, 22 June 2018, www.wsbradio.com/news/national/2018-world-ugliest-dog-contest-contestants-how-vote-and-past-winners/p5LbEZ8Je0LkwNQ9nVNgKP/.
“World’s Ugliest Dog ® ADVOCATE ADOPT ADORE.” Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center, www.sonoma-marinfair.org/worlds_ugliest_dog_2018/.
