With his punk hairstyle and his tongue permanently hanging from his muzzle, “Happy Face” was named the ugliest dog in the world at a competition held in Petaluma, California.
The 17-year-old Chinese Crested dog beat nine other competitors on Friday in the decades-old annual competition.
The champion was adopted last year during the Covid-19 pandemic by a 41-year-old musician from Arizona, Jeneda Benally. She said that at the kennel she was told about an elderly dog with health problems.
“I saw a creature that deserved to be loved”
“The kennel staff tried to prepare me for what I was about to see. I saw a creature that was indeed old, needed a second chance and deserved to be loved,” the proud owner said.
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Vets had warned that due to health issues, the dog could only live for a few weeks. But “mum’s love, kindness and kisses helped” overcome these problems, added Jeneda Benally.
His activities ? “Sleeping, snoring and moaning in his sleep”
“His hobbies include sleeping, snoring, moaning in his sleep and making weird sounds when he’s happy,” she explained.
“This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” organizers said.