Fact: every dog is absolutely adorable. Even the ones who are bald and shriveled and look like baby Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 are still extremely lovable. All they have to do is look up at you with those big brown eyes begging for cuddles and attention, and you feel that familiar, uncontrollable urge to cradle them in your arms and tell them what a gift they are to the universe.
Ugly dogs are so cute, in fact, that since all the way back to the 1970s, the California city of Petaluma has been hosting a World's Ugliest Dog Contest as part of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. The annual contest, which typically takes place in the fourth week of June, crowns one lucky canine as "The World's Ugliest Dog." The winner's human gets $1,500, a trophy, and a free trip to New York City.
The contest has gotten an increasing amount of media speculation over the years, as the winning pup always goes viral, as dog-lovers everywhere pour in to celebrate the ugly beauty of the pup. Despite how mean-spirited the name of the contest sounds, its official website says that the event "celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique," and "speaks to the importance of advocating for the adoration of all animals and the benefits of adopting," especially since most of the contestants are rescues.
For what it's worth, the dogs almost certainly don't care that they don't fit conventional beauty standards. As higher beings, they are above such trivial concerns. So read on to meet the dogs that are so ugly they're actually cute. And for more on the scientific reason we love dogs no matter how they look, check out Here's the Age When Cute Puppies Are At Their Cutest.
1 | Zsa Zsa
Sadly, Zsa Zsa, the English bulldog who won the 2018 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, died just weeks after receiving her crown. She was 9 years old. Even though she is gone, she will be loved forever. For proof of the fact that dog's are our greatest guardians, See the Arizona Diamondbacks Honor Dog Who Saved Owner from a Rattlesnake.
2 | Martha
In 2017, Martha, a a 125-pound Neopolitan Mastiff, was crowned the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, thanks to her big, flappy jowls.
3 | Rascal Deux
Hey may not have won, but this Keith Richards lookalike was a finalist for the contest in 2018.
4 | Wild Thang
Wild Thang was another contestant in the contest that year, but he was just too cute! If you find yourself using baby-talk with these pups, there's a scientific reason behind it. For more on this, check out Here's Why You Should Talk to Your Dog Like It's a Baby.
5 | Scamp
Scamp won second place due to his scrappy appearance.
6 | SweePee Rambo
In 2016, this 17-year-old Chinese crested chihuahua took home the grand prize. And if you want to decipher what their expressions actually mean, read 19 Things Your Dog Is Trying to Tell You.
7 | Squiggy Dog
This little buddy is not a morning doggo. Want more funny dog content? Check out how This Dog Stole Its Owner's GoPro and Made the Funniest Video Ever.
8 | Quasi Modo
In 2015, the aptly named Quasi Modo won "World's Ugliest Dog" for his boxy little body.
9 | Duchess Roberta
Duchess Roberta does not like surprises. For more heartwarming proof of canine loyalty, Meet the Adorable Dog That Waits for His Owner's Train All Day Long.
10 | Peanut
The 2014 winner of "World's Ugliest Dog" was a sweet little pup who was injured in a fire and the victim of animal abuse.
11 | Yoda
That same year, a pure-breed xoloitzcuintli named Yoda took third place. But he had already won the contest in 2011, so no hard feelings!
12 | Elwood
This ugly beauty was the winner of the 2007 contest of World's Ugliest Dog. He died around Thanksgiving in 2013, at the age of 9. Her owner, Karen Quigley, was so inspired by the incredible pup that she wrote a children's book about him called Everyone Loves Elmwood. And everyone does.
13 | Tee Tee
Tee Tee is very upset about not winning the contest.
14 | Capone
Capone is not here for your nonsense.
15 | Alien
Alien is smiling, don't be fooled.
16 | Corona
Corona is on to you.
17 | Wiki the Dog
Wiki is protesting her walk by sitting in the sun.
18 | Rooty
Rooty has had one too many. Dogs are surprisingly easy to train. For proof of this, check out Patient Dog Politely Obeys Cafe's No-Dog Rules, Goes Viral.
19 | Splinter
Splinter is not feeling his cone of shame.
20 | Jesse
Someone needs to pet this pup right now.
21 | Charlie
Charlie was a 2018 contestant. He is shocked he didn't take home the crown.
22 | Daisy
Daisy, another contestant with an adorable underbite, is furious she lost.
23 | Himsaboo
Himsaboo is really rocking that haircut.
24 | Bruno
Instagram/BrunoIqbalBritzeBruno is an 11-year-old pug mix who sometimes looks as though he's just received some very alarming news.
25 | Rico
Hey may not have won the contest, but at least he's got a sweet sombrero.
26 | Ruby Roux
Ruby Roux has no feelings whatsoever about losing. She's got her priorities straight and knows naps are very important. For more on this, check out Science Says This Is the Length of a Perfect Nap.
27 | Josie
Josie is finally getting the glamour shots she deserves. The Chinese Crested mix took home third place. For more photos worthy of a magazine spread, check out This Dog Recreated Madonna's Most Iconic Looks with Amazing Accuracy.
28 | Mandanna
Mandanna may not have gotten a prize, but this portrait is a real winner.
29 | Pabst
Pabst, a boxer mix with an intense underbite, was the winner of the contest in 2009. He's a great example of the fact that just because a dog looks mean, doesn't mean he is!
Instagram/rubythechorkiedog31 | Walle
A beagle/basset/boxer mix named Walle won the contest in 2013, which doesn't even seem fair because he is inarguably adorable. Did we mention he runs sideways?
Instagram/fugslife33 | Mugly
This Chinese Crested got the top prize back in 2012, but, sadly, died on Christmas Eve in 2017 in his home in England.
34 | Gus
Gus, a one-eyed, three-legged Chinese Crested, won the contest back in 2008.
35 | Tuna
Tuna, a Chiweenie, has become an Internet celebrity due to his unique appearance, and has 1.3 million followers and a book out called, Tuna Melts My Heart.
36 | Rufus
Instagram/hairless.pup"Rufus looks like the chupacabra. One second he’s an angel. The next second he’s running wild," writes his owner.
37 | Earl the Grump
Earl the Grump is also Internet-famous, and also has his own book out, entitled If Every Dog Has His Day, Then Where the Hell Is Mine?
38 | Marnie
Marnie is a 16-year-old Shih Tzu with over 2 million Instagram followers, who reminds everyone that it's awesome to adopt senior dogs. And if you need a reason to bring your dog into the office, check out 25 Photos Proving Dogs Are the Best Co-Workers.
39 | Beanz Hart
While some may think of Beanz as ugly because of his hairless body and perpetually inebriated facial expressions, his 207,000 followers adore him.
41 | Töki Kutya
Instagram/toki_kutyaAccording to öki Kutya's Instagram, his father was an Ewok and his mother was a Gremlin. Töki, on the other hand, is 100 percent a dog.
42 | Toast
This puppy mill rescue, who sadly passed away, was the world's first dog supermodel. In 2016, she married another canine celebrity, Finn, while wearing a custom gown by Marchesa and $139,000 diamond necklace, in a wedding whose proceeds went to an organization fighting against puppy mills. Some may have thought she was "ugly" because of the way her tongue flopped out of her mouth, but she's living proof that having an imperfection doesn't mean you can't live your best life.
43 | Zoey
It's rare to find an imperfect corgi, but this little lady's exceptionally large ears and sour facial expression have earned her a place on Disapproving Corgis. For more on this amazing breed, check out 50 Corgi Facts That Will Make You Want a Corgi.
44 | Juju Bean
Instagram/JujuthegremlinJuju Bean looks seriously majestic in this window shot. "Don’t forget to brush your puppy’s teeth, especially the one that sticks out," writes his owner.
45 | Lola
She's not ugly. She was born this way.
46 | Zappa
This little Italian greyhound has a dental illness that caused her to lose all of her teeth except two. Her errant tongue has earned her almost 50,000 Instagram followers.
47 | Chomper
Instagram/chompinginseattleThis smiley little guy is a Maltese mutt who has a severe underbite.
48 | Mr. Burns
Instagram/m.r.b.u.r.n.sMr. Burns is a pitbull, Chinese crested, terrier mix. He's also a whole lot of cute!
49 | Nudy Rudy
Instagram/nudeyrudyNudy Rudy is an (almost) hairless chihuahua who loves rocking his signature scruff.
50 | Arthur
Instagram/arthur_the_lottie"Guys, LOOK. I parted my beard," writes Arthur on his Instagram. And for more adorable animals looking silly, check out these 23 Funny Photos of Pets Looking Extra Grumpy.
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