A Chinese Crested, looks on before the start of the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Applications for 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest officially open
Do you have a unique dog with unique features? You could win a cash prize and the bragging rights for the ‘ugliest dog’ under the sun.
A Chinese Crested, looks on before the start of the 25th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is back with a bang and contestants are encouraged to submit their applications for the 2023 contest, aimed to celebrate dogs with “unique” appearances.
The event will take place on 23 June at Sonoma-Marin Fair in California. R27 000 is up for grabs for first place followed by R18 000 for second place and R9 000 in third place respectively.
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What is The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest?
The ‘ugliest dog’ contest has been around and shining the spotlight on aesthetically challenged pooches for nearly 50 years since the inception of the competition in the 1970s.
According to the contest website, Sonoma Marin Fair, the end goal of the competition is to celebrate ”the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.” The contest also seeks to raise awareness for the adoption of dogs as many have been rescued from shelters and “puppy mills.”
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The contest site also gives detailed information about the day of the event for first-time and returning contestants and their guardians, respectively.
“The day begins with pre-contest entertainment and information on pet care and adoption. Each pup and handler will bask in the limelight as they are escorted along the red carpet to show off their unique beauty to the judges, international media, celebrity host, and fans. It’s a wonderful show of pageantry and pride.”
How to enter the ‘ugliest dog’ contest?
Interested applicants are requested to submit an entry form, short biography, photo, and proof of vaccination for their pooch by 20 June 2023.
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In addition, there are cash prizes and a trophy to be won by the top 3 contestants. The first-place winner will take home $1500 (R27 000) followed by $1000 (R18 000) in second place and $500 (R9 000) in third place respectively.
Mr. Happy Face is the current reigning champion for the title of The World’s Ugliest Dog. Mr. Happy Face is reported to be “an almost-hairless 17-year-old rescue pup with a protruding tongue,” according to CNN. He is reported to have been “rescued from a hoarding situation and adopted from a shelter in Arizona in 2021.”
