Winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest announced
The annual World's Ugliest Dog contest has unearthed some true diamonds in the ruff, with one long-tongued frizz-ball being honoured with the title of the ugliest dog in the world.
At the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, an eight-year-old Pekingese called Wild Thang was crowned the winner and collected the $5,000 cash prize, after failing to take home the prize five years in a row.
"He was a fan favorite … he's kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride," judge Fiona Ma told the Associated Press.
"He really tugged at our heart strings and deserved to win."
Wild Thang's strange looks stem from a virus he contracted as a puppy that almost killed him, but instead left him with permanent damage.
As a result, his teeth never developed, so his tongue flops out, and his right front leg paddles all the time.
"He's never had a hair cut so that is the way he is and [his owner] shaves his stomach and he likes to sleep on ice packs," Ma added.
"He is just a sweet dog – I was just holding him and he loves to be held and cuddled. That's part of it, these rescue dogs, they just need forever homes, so please adopt, don't shop."
Organisers stressed that the contest is not about making fun of the unusual looking dogs, "but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!"
Image credits: JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial