By: Theodore Tong

The “Ugliest Dog Contest,” held in Sonama-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023, gave the “ugly dogs” of the world a chance to shine.

Without the contest, the “ugly dogs” would be left alone, starving in the cold. Scooter, the dog that won the contest this past year, had rear legs that didn’t work. His soon-to-be owner, part of the organization called Saving Animals From Euthanasia (SAFE), saved him and now treats him like a regular dog. Another example of ugly dogs being popular was Harold Bartholomew, the dog that won third place in the contest, a 16-year-old Chihuahua that was blind and deaf. He was saved by an organization called Underdog Rescue.

The contest made the world see the “ugly dogs” in a different way. The contest made Scooter look like a champion instead of a miserable, disabled dog. In 2014, Peanut, the first-place winner of the contest, was not seen as an “ugly dog,” because he was instead seen as a champion. Before the contest, he was badly injured in a fire, causing him to lose his lips, and eyelids.

In summary, the “Ugliest Dog Contest” brings out the best in ugly dogs, and also shows that all dogs can be treated equally.