We are familiar with dog shows and exhibitions in which the dogs' appearance, anatomy and personality traits are evaluated. Here the most beautiful and best stand on the winner's podium. But there is also a completely different competition in which ugliness is a criterion for participation:
“World's Ugliest Dog® Contest” has existed for almost 50 years and invites very special dogs to appear before the jury. Dogs that at first glance might not elicit an “Aaaaaw, he’s cute, can I pet him?” You may have to take a closer look first. – As in the case of “Mr. Happy Face”, who won the competition in California this year.
Mr. Happy Face: Special look, special dog
When it comes to styling, no one can imitate Mr. Happy Face. It is not possible to say exactly what race he belongs to. On the one hand he is called a Chinese Crested mix ( HERE ), other media report a Chihuahua mix ( HERE ). However, there is no need to put him in a “breed drawer” as he is a very unique type of dog anyway.
Mr. Happy Face shows naked, dark skin. Only on his head does he have light, whitish hair in the “Mohawk” style. His eyes can be described as "protruding in curiosity" and because of his tongue, his owner Jeneda Benally likes to add the hashtag #GeneSimmons to photos of Mr. Happy Face.
The participating dogs are described on the event page, including Mr. Happy Face:
“His hobbies include being fearlessly adorable, asserting his privilege as the elder among his four- and three-legged furry siblings, and eating smelly things.
Mr. Happy Face wants to have a longer tongue than Gene Simmons and a snappier growl than Billy Idol. His hobbies also include sleeping, snoring, wriggling in his sleep and making strange noises when he is happy. He sounds like a Dodge Ram diesel truck revving the engine when he’s excited.”
However, you can also read about his backstory here.
Mr. Happy Face has only been with his owner Jeneda Benally, who adopted him from an animal shelter, since last August. He comes from a hoarder household and lived here under catastrophic conditions. His body was covered in tumors, he has neurological deficits, so he wears a diaper and often has problems standing securely or keeping his head straight. He was also around 17 years old, so the vets warned Benally when he was adopted that he probably only had a few weeks left to live. 10 months have passed since then.
On adoption day, Jeneda Benally vowed that her new family member "would be so loved that he would never remember how terrible his previous life had been."
World's Ugliest Dog® Contest
So this year Mr. Happy Face won the race. He and his owner can now look forward to prize money of $1,500 and a trip to New York City, where they will appear on the “Today” show.
This competition is not held to make fun of or show off dogs that do not conform to the “ideal of beauty”. On the contrary, by reaching the general public, many people are shown that every dog deserves to live a good life. The organizers are keen to promote the adoption of abandoned or familyless animals from animal shelters.
Dogs in animal shelters usually have a past life, a history that doesn't always have to be positive. It's not always healthy, pretty puppies that you can be the first owner of. You have to be aware of that.
“They promote dog rescue and that all dogs, regardless of their appearance, deserve to be loved.”
Debra Mathy, one of the competition's judges
So there is a very positive approach behind this competition.
What you can possibly criticize as a dog lover is the name. Because if you have ever experienced the joy, happiness and love that a dog gives you, you can say with certainty: no dog is ugly!
Source: World's Ugliest Dog® Contest , NY Times , Focus
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