(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new dog was crowned champion at the World’s Ugliest Dog competition on Friday: Scooter, a 7-year-old Chinese crested hairless dog.
Scooter was born with two deformed hind legs. Essentially, his hind legs face backward. After he was born, Scooter’s breeder brought him into a Tucson, Ariz., animal control facility with the intention to euthanize him. Instead, someone stepped in to rescue the pup.
“I am overjoyed and incredibly proud that Scooter has been crowned the winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog contest,” said Scooter’s owner Linda Elmquist, of Tucson. “Scooter has defied all odds and shown us the true meaning of resilience and determination.”
Scooter, who uses a cart to get around, was praised for his “zest for life as he fearlessly navigates obstacles” and moves about the world.
Still, contest organizers said years of walking on his front legs have taken a toll on Scooter.
“He takes frequent rest stops, propping himself up on his butt, which he uses as a tripod,” they wrote on the contest website.
With funds raised from friends and rescue groups, though, Scooter was able to get into therapy and get a brand-new cart.
There were other dogs worth recognizing at Friday’s contest. In second place was Wild Thang, a 7-year-old pekingese who has competed in the competition four times.
Although Wild Thang survived distemper as a puppy, his teeth never grew in, which has caused his tongue to stay out. Wild Thang’s right front leg also “paddles 24/7,” contest organizers said.
Rascal Deux, a so-called “hairless mutant,” took home the People’s Choice Award for ugliest dog. Rascal Deux comes from a long line ugly dog champions and was the fifth generation in its lineage to take home some hardware.
The World’s Ugliest Dog contest has been held for nearly 50 years. The 2023 event was at the Sonoma Marin Fairgrounds in California.
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