The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California has announced the results of the World’s Ugliest Dog competition, and the winner for 2016 is Sweepee Rambo.
The 28th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest was held on Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, and after much anticipation, the final decision has been made.
The 2016 winner is 17-year-old Sweepee Rambo, a blind Chinese crested Chihuahua.
Some of the other contestants included:
Rooby Roux, a dog blinded by glaucoma with Eddie Munster hair in the front and 80s mullet in the back.Katana, a 7-year-old whose owner rescued her from a confined pet store cage in Japan.Rascal Deux, a naturally hairless, mostly toothless small dog who is the descendant of several ugly dog contest winners.Grovie, a 13-year-old diabetic Chinese Pug with respiratory issues whose appearance has been compared to that of an Ewok.
Despite the contest’s name, the real focus isn’t on the dogs’ appearance or pedigree but rather, on their inner beauty.
As Erin Post, the fair’s CEO, has said, “We’re proud to celebrate all dogs and pets by showing that no matter their imperfections, they are adoptable, lovable and a great add to any family.”
The top dog was chosen based on the judges’ criteria of “first impression, unusual attributes, natural ugliness…personality and audience impression.”
The grand prize includes a trophy and $1,500 in cash; previous winners have also appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Good Morning America.
