The World’s Ugliest Dog contest winner is Quasi Modo . The pit bull Dutch-shepherd mix was born with a spinal defect that caused a hunchback appearance.
Quasi Modo, 10, earned the World’s Ugliest Dog title and a $1,500 prize by beating out 25 other dogs for the honor on Friday evening. The dog was abandoned at a shelter in Loxahatchee, Florida, and ultimately adopted by a veterinarian. The dog has been mistaken for a Tasmanian devil and a hyena, according to its owner. Quasi Modo’s “bubbly personality” reportedly wins strangers over quickly and easily.
The 27th annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest was held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California. The ugly dogs are reportedly scored by a panel of three judges in multiple categories, and ranked in part for their “special or unusual attributes, personality, and natural ugliness.”
“We aren’t interested in lineage, it’s the inner beauty and personality that shine in our World’s Ugliest Dog contest,” said Karen Spencer, marketing director for Sonoma-Marin Fair, said.
Sweepee Rambo, a Chinese crested Chihuahua, was granted first runner-up honors in the World’s Ugliest Dog contest. Sweepee Rambo has freckled skin and a blonde mohawk. The second runner-up was Frodo, a Chinese crested hairless-Chihuahua mix. The Spirit Award was given to Precious, a Chihuahua from Petaluma, who visits disabled veterans with her disabled military member owner. Precious has a sight issue which was reportedly created after a veterinarian put the wrong drops in her eyes when she was a puppy.
The annual contest is hosted to help foster the adoption of “ugly” dogs in spite of their unusual looks and “physical shortcomings,” and to highlight the needs of dogs in puppy mills and shelters.
The following is an excerpt from Quasi Modo’s biography page from the dog contest website.
“Luckily, one of the veterinarians there saw the sparkle in my eyes and took me home. In spite of this [hunchback] I still run, play and enjoy life to the fullest. I have become a great ambassador for teaching people about acceptance and tolerance for things that are different. You should never judge a book by its cover! Just because an animal or person looks different doesn’t mean they’re any less deserving of love.”
Quasi Modo made his first appearance at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest last year when his owners entered him while in the area on their honeymoon.
[Image via Twitter]
