By Pamela Owen


Best paw forward: Yoda was a first-time entrant and beat fierce competition for the title of the World's Ugliest Dog


They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And it definitely seems to be the case with this pooch who was kissed and cuddled by her owner as she bagged the title of the World's Ugliest Dog.

In the dog-eat-dog world of contests Yoda managed to wow judges at a Northern Californian fair on Friday with her short tufts of hair, protruding tongue and long hairless legs.

Who's a pretty girl: Nicole Schumacher coos over her dog Yoda at the competition in North California

Thirsty work: Yoda takes a breather during the competition which was hosted at the Sonoma-Marin Fair


The 14-year-old Chinese-crested Chihuahua mix has come a long way since since was found behind a block of flats by Nicole Schumacher.

Originally frightened out of her wits and under the impression the mangy-looking mutt was a rat she almost ran a mile.

Close but not close enough: Ghada Marta proudly shows off her dog, Handsome Hector who can't help but stick his tongue out

It must be love: One of the better-looking contests in the ugliest dog competition is given a cuddle by his owner


But on closer inspection she soon discovered it was an abandoned dog in need of a good home and quickly gave it a loving home.

While it certainly isn't the type of competition most people would want to enter their hounds into most of the dogs were keen to prove that ugly is the new good-looking and paraded around, proudly showing off their protruding tongues, buck teeth and hairless bodies.

Robbed of the title: This unfortunate looking one-eyed pug was beaten Yoda, who is definitely easier on the eye

Feeling rather ruff today: He might not be the best-looking but his owner is certainly proud


Competiton at the Sonoma-Marin Fair was fierce and included last year's winner, a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby.

Another regular at the competition was also Handsome Hectar who even has his own Facebook page and a blog which is regularly updated by owner Ghada Marta.

Chihuahua's appear to be firm favourites for the title of the ugliest dog as a pedigree Chinese crested won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was named the ugliest in 2007.

Matching accessory: This dog has a striking resemblance to his loving owner who is clearly proud of his hairless mutt

What you looking at: This pooch smiled broadly for the cameras but unfortunately it wasn't enough to impress the judges

Jealousy makes you nasty: Yoda is confronted by another dog who was clearly green with envy after she bagged the title

Pretty in pink: Unfortunately this ugly mutt didn't have what it takes to win despite showing only a few tufts of hair


source:dailymail