2023 in photos: The world's ugliest dog

There are contests for all kinds of things and, now you can believe it, there is also the World's Ugliest Dog contest, with Scooter as the crowned winner in the 2023 edition, held in June at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma (California).

Scooter is from the Chinese Crested dog breed and it is obvious that he has a series of defects that make him a just and deserved winner of this dog beauty contest.

Here the little mite poses with his owner, Linda Celeste Elmquist, who can be seen in the picture imitating Scooter's particular way of sticking out his tongue.

There is a rather heartwarming story about the winner of the world's ugliest dog contest...

When he was born, and after noticing his condition, his breeder handed him over to the corresponding authorities in Tucson (Arizona) to be eu tha nized, perhaps thinking that this was the least painful end for him.

However, the group SAFE rescued him with only a few hours to go before he died.

Linda Celeste Elmquist, a member of SAFE, decided to adopt him and give him a second chance, which has now been rewarded with the title of 'World's Ugliest Dog in 2023'.

And what are Scooter's shortcomings that have led it to win first place in this competition?

This deformity, which involves an inversion of his hind legs, prevents him from walking and running like other dogs (in fact, he needs an orthopedic structure to help him). But this is not the only feature of his appearance that makes him peculiar.

In an interview with 'Today', Linda Celeste Elmquist expressed her joy for Scooter and what he represents. According to the website, the event seeks to celebrate the "imperfections that make all dogs special and unique."

According to his owner, Scooter has "a big heart." "He leaves you feeling love and inspiration for the differences, difficulties, perseverance and happiness that he radiates like a little heater!"

“He has no idea that he has a defect and he was born that way and he is full of self-confidence,” she added in the interview with TODAY. “He stands up to the bigger dogs where he could easily get beat up.”

According to one of the judges, Catherine Liang, it was sad to see him at first in that condition, but after they started interacting with him, both she and the rest of the jury fell in love.

The contest is held as torch on the importance of the adoption of this type of dogs that also deserve a second chance. “This contest is not about making fun of … or laughing at or just taking advantage of their ugliness. It’s about bringing forward all of the beauty,” Elmquist told TODAY.

Another positive for this pup - his lack of physical appeal has earned good Scooter (or rather his owner, Linda Celeste) $1,500.

And that's Scooter, the world's ugliest dog who has already won the hearts of everyone. Making a bold statement, Elmquist said to TODAY, "I know he will represent really well the undertrodden, the ugly, the blemished.” He is, indeed, very loveable.