It’s that time of year again when dogs with unusually large heads, hairless bodies and other oddities compete to be the World’s Ugliest Dog.
This year’s winner? A 2-year-old mutt named Peanut, whose wild white and brown hair, bulging eyes and protruding teeth belie his sweet, energetic personality.
Although Peanut is healthy now, his owner, Holly Chandler of Greenville, North Carolina, says he was seriously burned as a puppy, resulting in bald patches all over his body.
Chandler hopes Peanut’s victory will help raise awareness about animal abuse.
“We’re trying to use him as a poster child for what can happen to animals who are abused,” she said.
She plans to use the $1,500 prize to pay for other animals’ veterinary bills.
The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 26th year.
The dogs are scored by a three-judge panel in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.
The past five winners have included a duck-footed beagle, boxer and basset hound mix with a waddle, a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix with a protruding tongue and short tufts of hair and a Chihuahua with a missing eye and a camel’s back.
Here are photos of this year’s contestants and past years’ winners.
Peanut
Holly Chandler kisses Peanut, a mutt who is suspected of being a Chihuahua-Shitzu mix, at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014. Peanut won the competition and was voted the world’s ugliest dog.
2. Sweepee Rambo
SweePee Rambo, a Chihuahua/Chinese Crested mix, is held by owner Jason Wurtz at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014. Peanut won the competition and was voted the world’s ugliest dog.
3. Josie
Josie, a Chinese Crested sticks out its tongue at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014. Peanut won the competition and was voted the world’s ugliest dog
4. Quasi
Quasi Modo, whom the owner claims has a back too short for its body, walks on the stage at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014.
5. Wally
Wally, last year’s winner, walks on the red carpet at The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014.
6. Grovie
Grovie, a pug in a tuxedo, awaits the start of The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014.
7.Peanut
Peanut, a mutt who is suspected of being a Chihuahua-Shitzu mix, stands near a trophy at the conclusion of The World’s Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014.
