Pretty ugly: Mugly, a Chinese Crested dog from the United Kingdom has won the 2012 World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, CaliforniaA Chinese Crested's short snout, beady eyes and white whiskers earned it the title of World's Ugliest Dog at the annual contest in Northern California on Friday.
Competing for fame, $1,000 and a year's worth of dog cookies, Mugly won the honour by beating out 28 other ugly dogs from around the world.
The 8-year-old rescue dog from Peterborough, England - described on the competition as having a 'lovely personality [that] outweighs his looks' - will also be invited for a photo shoot and will receive a VIP stay at the local Sheraton.
Surprised: Mugly's owner Bev Nicholson of Peterborough, England, bottom right, reacts to the awarded title against Dane Andrew and his dog, Rascal, and Kathleen Francis and her dog, Princess Abby on Friday
Winnings: Mugly won $1,000 and a year's worth of dog cookies after beating out 28 other ugly dogs competing from around the world
Pro: The British pooch was named Britain's ugliest dog in 2005 as well'I couldn't speak when they announced Mugly's name,' said Bev Nicholson, the dog's owner. 'I didn't know which way to look. I was shaking as much as the dog.'
It's not the first time Mugly has been recognized for his unattractiveness. Ms Nicholson said he was named Britain's ugliest dog in 2005.
Spotlight: A woman holds her competitor for the contest that gets worldwide attention, with reporters and camera crews traveling from around the world to attend
A hard worker with such a memorable face, Mugly volunteers as a Pets As Therapy Dog for children, paying visits to hospitals, hospices, nursing and care homes in the UK, while having once had his own trouble when attacked in a park several years ago by a group of thugs, according to the competition's website.
Classes: With two competitors seen, the competition in its 24th year, judged the dogs' natural ugliness in pedigree and mutt classes
Fits the description: Wild eyes, hair and prominent tongues appeared the norm among the 28 competitors on Friday
Benefit: Not all could be winners, though sponsors of the competition raised money for several animal causesThe contest held at the Marin-Sonoma Fairgrounds gets worldwide attention, with reporters and camera crews from around the world traveling to Petaluma, about 40 miles north of San Francisco.
Organizers say the competing dogs are judged for what they term their 'natural ugliness in both pedigree and mutt classes.'
Mugly took home two trophies in both classes.
His victory was the latest for a Chinese crested, whose breed – offered in two varieties of Hairless and Powderpuff (having a full-body coat) is a regular competitor.
Last year's winner, Yoda, was a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix described as having been found in a field by the owner’s two-year-old daughter at the time.
One by one: A boy carries in a white, scruffy dog high above the audience along the red carpet
What's in a name: Icky, pictured in the arm of his owner, rivaled other dogs named Handsome Hector, Creature, Rue, Spam-O-Rama and Mousesource: dailymail
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