By: Katelyn Wei

A seven-year-old Chinese Crested dog named Scooter won the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog contest which is held at Petaluma, California. His body is hairless, his rear legs face backwards, and always has his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

This contest has been running for 50 years which was started by Ross Smith. This event celebrates unusual dogs. This also encourages people to adopt dogs that need loving parents.

“In the cutest way possible, he kind of reminds me of a hair hippopotamus,” said one of the contest judges, referencing Scooter.

Although Scooter is a star now, his past didn’t look good for him. When he was little, his life almost ended because of his rear legs. His rear legs faced backwards since he was born which made him unable to walk. A volunteer from a group that protects animals believed Scooter can make it and he was right. Scooter found a way to walk by using his front legs.

However, walking on only his front legs is exhausting for scooter. When he needs a break, he lies on his bottom. Recently, Scooter was given a tool that makes his life easier. Resembling a wheelchair, it is a cart with wheels that is at Scooter’s rear end. With the cart, Scooter can easily move.

Scooter impressed the judges of the ugly dog contest which made him first place that came with a $1500 prize and a trophy. Gaudi Shwartz, one of the judges, states Scooter has a warm, huggable power to change the meaning of the word ugly.

No other dog ever would represent that idea better than Scooter.