Meet the 'world's ugliest dog' – a 7-year-old Chinese Crested pup
The world’s ugliest dog title goes to a seven-year-old Chinese Crested pup called Scooter who narrowly escaped death over his deformed back legs – as judge says he reminded her of a ‘hairy hippopotamus’
- Scooter, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested, is the World’s Ugliest Dog for 2023
- The animal won the competition which took place in Petaluma, California
A seven-year-old Chinese Crested named Scooter who narrowly avoided being put down after being born with deformed back legs has won the title of World’s Ugliest Dog.
Scooter, who was almost euthanized in his early years over his birth defects, swept the competition at the Petaluma after being compared to a ‘hairy hippopotamus.’
The unconventionally handsome pup has a crown of white hair which frizzes out from the side of his head, a tongue that remains out in the open, and a unique walk using just his front legs.
Friday’s win was a proud moment for the dog who animal care experts once said would never be able to walk or crawl.
‘Today Scooter is not only surviving but thriving,’ his biography on the contest’s website says. ‘He has no idea that he is any different from any other dog.’
A seven-year-old Chinese Crested named Scooter (pictured) who has deformed back legs and was compared to a ‘hair hippopotamus’ has been crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog
Scooter, who was almost euthanized in his early years over his birth defects, swept the competition at the Petaluma, California contest over the weekend
The pup has a crown of white hair which frizzes out from the side of his head, a tongue that remains out in the open, and a unique walk using just his front legs
According to the competition’s website, Scooter was rescued by a volunteer with Saving Animals from Euthanasia who fell in love with the pup.
Scooter had been taken to an animal control center in Tucson, Arizona when the volunteer saw him and stepped in.
‘He knew that this pup might have a chance at finding a good home and a fairly normal life with the support of our rescue group,’ Scooter’s bio on the website said.
His owner Linda Elmquist says that Scooter’s handicap has not stopped him from living a ‘life of locomotion’ even with the obstacles he faces.
The pup uses his hind lights as a tri-pod and still requires a cart to help him out.
Elmquist said that in spite of the challenges the dog has dealt with, he has remained optimistic and looking forward.
‘Despite the challenges he has faced with his deformed hind legs, Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination,’ Elmquist said in a statement after the contest.
‘He has become an inspiration to countless people around the world,’ she said.
The pup uses his hind lights as a tri-pod and still requires a cart to help him out
His owner Linda Elmquist (pictured with Scooter) says that the dog’s handicap has not stopped him from living a ‘life of locomotion’ even with the obstacles he faces
https://youtube.com/watch?v=GQih0eUkb6o%3Frel%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26hl%3Den-US
The website for the competition states that the contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs but rather about sharing dogs with unique characteristics.
Organizers say the real objective is to show the world that ‘these dogs are really beautiful!’
Among the other top contenders at this year’s event included four-time competitor Wild Thang, a 7-year-old Pekinese.
The dog’s teeth did not grow in after suffering from distemper as a puppy and his tongue now juts out permanently.
‘Other than that, he is a healthy, happy Glugly (glamourous/ugly) guy,’ the site says.
In third place and winning the spirit award was Harold Bartholomew, a 16-year-old ‘curmudgeonly’ chihuahua.
He was rescued just over a year ago after being found wandering a California park.
The animal was not expected to live long after that but ‘ugly digs deep’ and he is still alive and kicking today, his rescue owners said.
In fourth place was Rascal Deux, a 6.5 pound ‘hairless mutant’ with Einstein hair, crooked face, 2 different colored eyes, loose tongue, and born without many teeth.’
Wild Thang, the runner up at the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog competition
Third place pup Harold Bartholomew (left) and fourth place finisher Rascal Deux (right)
The website for the competition states that the contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs but rather about sharing dogs with unique characteristics
Another top tier contender from the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog competition
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