R.I.P.: Miss Ellie who died earlier this month. She won last year's World Ugliest Pedigree DogShe received few admiring glances and was more beast than beauty.
But Miss Ellie touched the hearts of millions after her reign as world’s ugliest pedigree dog was cut short earlier this month by her death.
Now the race is on to find a successor – and, by the look of some of these hideous hounds, the judges will have their work cut out.
Among the contestants for the title at the contest in Petaluma, California, this Tuesday are dogs named Gus, Icky, Fluffy and Elwood.
Last year's overall winner Pabst, a boxer with a prominent overbite, will be there to defend his crown.
But Miss Ellie, a Chinese Crested Hairless who won the pedigree prize and was the competition’s biggest celebrity, will be deeply missed.
She sadly passed away at the beginning of this month, aged 17.
The competition is fiercely fought between the gruesome pups, with the winners of the 'pedigree' category facing off against mutts to claim the coveted title.
Many past winners have been Chinese Crested dogs like Miss Ellie.
The opposite of Crufts, entrants to Animal Planet’s World’s Ugliest Dog competition are judged on their hair, or rather lack of, toothlessness, protruding tongue and overall visual offensiveness.
Ugly love: Andrea Potts is competing with her Chinese Crested dog Lucille Bald
Showing off: One of last year's entries and Victoria, right, an awkward-looking Italian greyhound
Proud: Mother and daughter Jeanenne and Janey Teedt with Gus, 2008 World's Ugliest Dog‘Occasionally, we've had folks who think the contest makes fun of ugly dogs and that the dogs' feelings are hurt by being called ugly,’ said organiser Vicki DeArmon
‘Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, these are some of the best-loved dogs in the world and many of them are ambassadors for dog-related causes.’
Grim-faced: Ickie relaxes before the competition starts on Tuesday
Hair 'em, scare 'em: Elwood, left, and Rascal might be awarded extra points for their unsightly mops
Why the long face: Pabst, last year's overall winner, with owner Doc Halligansource: dailymail
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