“Ooh! What is that?” is probably one of the most familiar questions that the world’s ugly dog contest winners and their owners are hearing every day. Here’s why…!
The world’s ugly dog contest; you may not have been in one before, but the name rings a bell, right? A number of questions have been asked here; What is the ugly dog contest? Where and when is this happening, and who can join?
Therefor, I decided to tell you 10 different things you didn’t know about the world’s ugly dog contest. Enough talking, Let’s start:
Table of Contents
1- What is the World’s Ugly Dog Contest?
The World’s ugly dog contest is an annual contest held in California, as part of the Sonoma-Fair, that promotes and showcases agriculture. The world’s ugly dog contest is designed to decide which one of the dogs that are in the contest is the ugliest dog in the whole world.
2- When was the first World’s Ugly Dog Contest?
Since the 1970s, for nearly 49 years, the contest has been running annually and was the reason for some dogs to become famous, grab attention and find some love and care.
Every fourth week of June, world’s ugly dog contest attracts ugly dogs owners from all over the world, to be a part of this event; either if they have an ugly dog or they came to encourage those dogs.
3- What happens to the winner?
Each winner receives $1000 and a trophy, till 2017; the prize has been increased to $1,500, also they get publicized every year, in late June, and the contest, as mentioned on their website, used to promote and speaks to the importance of adoration and the benefits of adopting.
Meanwhile, the contest didn’t have the online presence or the wide media coverage that it has now before the 2000s; Before Nana, the world’s ugliest dog for 2000 and 2001, and Rascal the ugliest dog for 2002 won.
However,2005 was the year the world’s ugly dog contest reached widespread audiences from all over the world, and that was because of the third win of Sam, the world’s ugly dog for 2003, 2004 and 2005.
4- How judges pick winners?
First of all, there are some documents the dog’s owner must provide, those documents is, usually, veterinarian checks that prove the dog is healthy and capable of competing.
Then dogs and dog owners become ready to walk on the red carpet; surrounded with audience cheers, clippings, and love. After that, the three judges start to take their decisions and announce the winner.
5- Is there a specific definition of “Ugly Dog”?
Well, every creature has it’s own beauty, right? However, a certain type of beauty is not clear enough for everyone. These dogs look different, and not everyone will be comfortable looking or dealing with them, but their owners know how amazingly beautiful they are, and that’s why they are showing them to the world.
Well, enough talking. Let me show you the rest of the winners, so you can see for yourself. Here’s Archie, Elwood, and Gus; the World’s ugly dogs for 2006, 2007 and 2008:
6- Does these dogs have homes?
Actually yes, they come with their owners. Maybe not all of them were born in the house they are in now, or between the family that considers them one of the family now; cause some of them were found on the street or shelters, but now they diffidently have homes.
7- Are they dangerous?
Most of these dogs surprised the world of how social, funny and kind they are. Yes, they are not known for how beautiful they are, and of course, sometimes people freak out when they first see them. But, does being different means that you are dangerous?
8- Is it easy to be the world’s ugly dog owner?
No doubt that being the owner of the world’s ugly dog can be more challenging than being the owner of a cute, good looking, social dog. You will have to introduce your dog in a more sophisticated way, sometimes you will hear unpleasant comments about your beloved dog, and of course, if you decided to put your dog’s name in the World’s Ugly Dog Contest list; you will face some criticism! But, does it really matters?
Let’s figure this out after knowing the other winners of the World’s Ugly Dog Contest. Here are Pabst, Princess Abby, Yoda and Mugly; the World’s ugly dogs for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012:
9- Are the world’s ugly dogs sad dogs?
World’s ugly dogs are dogs! They can be happy, sad, sick and healthy. They have fun, they love to play, they care for others and, of course, they love when others care about them; they may look different, but they are still dogs.
10- Do their owners feel sorry for them?
Owning a dog that is that special, again, is not easy. But, people who have the heart, well and courage to appreciate and celebrate their dog’s differences; knows that their dogs can win people over by their kindness, self-confidence, and their special heart. So, they don’t feel sorry for them, I believe that they feel sorry for those who don’t understand their beauty.
Why don’t we take another final look to the rest of the list? Here are Walle, Peanut, Quasi Modo; the World’s ugly dogs for 2013, 2014 and 2015:
And, last but not least, Sweepee Rambo, Martha, and Zsa Zsa; the World’s ugly dogs for 2016, 2017 and 2018:
Here, we had the former champions of the world’s ugly dog contest, and we can’t wait to add to this list the winner of the world’s ugly dog contest of 2019.
But, Before that, why don’t you tell us about how you feel after reading this article; do you think celebrating how beautifully different those dogs are is a good or a bad thing?
