The World's most Amazing and Ugliest Dog Contest 2013

 “People come up to me and say that dog is not right,” said Tammie Barbee, who owns Walle, the 2013 winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. “But I love him,” she added. The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is held annually at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, and this year the contest celebrated its 25th anniversary. Luckily, the event’s official photographer, Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography, was there to take these fantastic photographs – like this one of Rascal on stage with his owner Dane Andrew.

 In this photograph, the judges, including actor Jon Provost – who played little Timmy Martin on CBS TV series Lassie – take a look at contestant Icky. Icky is a three-year-old Chinese crested, which is a breed that has had a lot of success at this competition in the past. The judging panel at 2013’s event also included football legend Joe Montana’s father, Joe Montana Sr.

 Here’s a portrait shot of Icky, all dressed up in his punk outfit. We’re not sure about the ugly tag, because he looks pretty adorable to us. But the competition isn’t simply about comparing aesthetically challenged pooches; it also aims to increase awareness about animal welfare as well as encourage the adoption of rescue dogs.

 The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is a high-profile event, attracting crowds of up to three thousand spectators a year. The majority of canine contestants are American, but the competition is open to dog owners the world over. However, 2012 was the first time a non-American dog took the title. That year the title of World’s Ugliest Dog was awarded to Mugly from the UK.

 We’re not sure the string of beads is helping this Chinese crested, named Josie, look much more elegant – but she’s kind of cute just the same. Chinese cresteds come in two varieties: powderpuff, which have thick coats; and hairless, which, like Josie, only have tufts of fur on their paws, tails and heads. It’s the rather strange appearance of the second variety that helps them win so many “ugly” competitions.

 Boolah’s exact combination of breeds is unknown – but she certainly looks pretty unique in this image. Her owners think she’s a cross between terrier mix and either part Chinese crested or part Mexican hairless. Unlike the case in many dog shows and competitions, there’s no pedigree requirement to enter the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. The competition has both purebred and mutt categories as well as an overall winner. As for Boolah, in true beauty pageant queen spirit, her owners said, “Her wish is for homemade poochie snacks... and world peace.”

 In this photo, a proud owner hugs his dog, Isaboo, whose name he even has printed on his T-shirt. This remarkable looking dog is part Chinese crested and part wiener – which, as you can see, gives him an elongated shape. Although Isaboo wasn’t judged the ugliest-looking dog in the contest, he did win a very respectable third place in the category for mutts.

 Here, this year’s overall winner, Walle, gives his best pose on the red carpet. Walle’s victory was described as an upset, as some felt that he just wasn’t as ugly as some of the other entries. Walle is a beagle, basset and boxer mix, and he beat Chinese crested and hairless chihuahuas that normally dominate the competition. Is Walle too attractive to be the ugliest dog in the world? We’ll let you decide.

 Next up, Isaboo poses for a studio photograph with his hair in a rather wispy Mohawk. There were 30 dogs in 2013’s competition, and the winning owner receives a $1,500 cash prize and a very large trophy. This year’s winner, Walle, also went on to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the Today Show. Sometimes it pays to be ugly.

 Penny the purebred pug may not have won the competition, but she certainly doesn’t lack the necessary qualities for entering. In all seriousness, although they don’t have to be good-looking, the dogs do have to be healthy, and all owners must provide up-to-date documentation of their pet’s vet checks. Dogs with disabilities are not discriminated against, however. The contest’s 2008 winner, Gus, had three legs and just a single eye.

 Addie the chihuahua has come a long way from the side of the road, where she was found, to the red carpet. And although she has a missing bottom jaw, crooked legs and no teeth, we still think she’s pretty adorable. Perhaps she’s also a little bit uncomfortable with all the attention.

 Here’s a close-up of Roo, another Chinese crested. Roo won in the competition’s pedigree category, and it’s not hard to see why. According to contest producer Vicki DeArmon, the standard was extremely high this year. She said, “This was the best in the seven years I’ve produced the contest. A wide variety of dogs and a record crowd made the energy just electric and the hosts were hilarious.”

 Here, hairless chihuahua Molly is on stage in the arms of her owner. Molly may be an odd-looking dog, but clearly she’s well loved – and well fed. Although entering your dog in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest might seem a little mean, it’s obvious that the owners of these pets have a lot of affection for their pets. And fortunately, the dogs don’t know what they’re competing for.

 Walle and Roo share the stage in this shot. Judge Brian Sobel had this to say about Walle: “This dog looked like he's been photo-shopped with pieces from various dogs and maybe a few other animals.” He does have a sweet face, though. As for Roo, well, his looks do all the talking.

Ellie Mae is another hairless Chinese crested. She’s eight years old and has been with her owners for six years, after her original family moved to a colder climate. Like the rest of the entrants, Ellie Mae might not be beautiful, but she definitely has a charm of her own. “Even after all these years, she is so comical that I can’t help but smile whenever I look at her,” says her proud owner. We understand completely.