Say 'hi' to Peanut, the World's Ugliest Dog.
Photo from Facebook
It
is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But when it
comes to the World?s Ugliest Dog competition, the eye of the
beholder can take the day off.
Sure, the contestants are
kind and loving dogs, but the reason
they came is not their pleasant disposition. These dogs are
downright UGLY.
Photo from Facebook
And at the front of the pack is the grim-visaged
Peanut, who recently took home the title of World?s Ugliest
Dog.
THE CONTEST
Now in its 26th year, the Worlds Ugliest Dog contest
is not just some dog and pony show (although it is a dog show?). ?It is a serious competition
where the ugliest dogs from across the globe come to take a shot at
the title.
Before the show, all the dogs are examined by vets to make sure that their
unique looks are naturally cultivated and not the result of some
kind of condition. Odd though it may be, this is one competition in
which a bad case of mange or a
bulbous tumor could actually be seen as a leg up.
Photo from Facebook
Once vetted, there is a panel of three judges grade
the entrants on various characteristics, such as special or unusual
attributes, their overall personality, and ?natural ugliness.?
After the voting process, a winner is selected to bear the title of
"World's Ugliest Dog."
This year, that honor went to Peanut.
PEANUT?S STORY
Photo from Facebook
A two-year old shih-tzu chihuahua cross, Peanut did
not always have such unfortunate looks.
He became disfigured as a puppy after suffering a
serious burn. As it happens, many of the entrants in this pageant
have a similar back story -- the victims of?abuse?or burning to the point of
disfigurement.
As for Peanut, his injuries resulted in his trademark
deformed eyelids, patchy fur, and toothy grin.
However, in an unlikely turn of events, it is those
selfsame injuries that earned Peanut a blue ribbon, $1,500, and
international acclaim.
Photo from Facebook
To help prevent the future mistreatment of dogs, his handler, Holly
Chandler, has promised to put the winnings towards paying for the
vet bills of pets in need.Also, as much of this contest is
aimed at building awareness of canine abuse, Holly hopes that
Peanut can one day become a poster child for how abused dogs can
overcome their adversity.
Source: Associated Press
-?There's
a New World's Ugliest Dog