Applications for the World's Ugliest Dog competition are open once again for 2023.
"For nearly 50 years, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest has been a testament that the pedigree does not define the pet," say the Sonoma-Marin Fair staff.
From June ?21 to June 25, the Sonoma-Marin Fair will run with their crowd favourite event, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
Since the 70's, the contest has been a way to show that no matter how these pooches look on the outside, it's really what's on the inside that counts and regardless of how they look, we still love them.
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest's judges come from all over the US and include everyone from consultants, winery owners, journalists, and Youtube comedians.
We'll have to wait until June to see who takes out the title for 2023, but here are some of the previous entries from the ?contest in 2022.
The winning pooch of 2022, pictured here, was a 17-year-old Chihuahua-Chinese Crested from Flagstaff, Arizona. His charming personality and unique looks helped him win the $1,500 cash prize, trophy, and trip to New York City.
Jeneda Benally adopted Mr. Happy Face in 2021 after he was rescued from a hoarder's house. According to his competition biography, "[Benally] was warned [he] could be inbred because he was so ugly."
Despite his looks, Mr. Happy Face is a sweetie.
"When I first met him, he was the happiest creature I had ever met. He hobbled up to me and chose me. I vowed that day, he would be so loved that he would never remember how awful his previous life had been," Benally said at the time.
Though, he does still have his quirks: "He sounds just like a Dodge Ram diesel truck reviving an engine when he is elated."
Pictured here is Josie, a Chinese Crested who placed fifth in last year's competition.
Chinese Crested dogs have taken the prize several times in the competition's history, thanks in part to their general hairlessness.
However, other ugly-cute breeds can easily give them a run for their money.
Second-place runner-up is three-year-old Wild Thang from Coos Bay, Oregon.
Due to a bout of distemper at a young age, Wild Thang's paws always paddle and his tongue pokes out because he doesn't have the teeth necessary to keep them in.
Nevertheless, they are still a happy, healthy dog who loves people.
Wild Thang's owner, Ann Lewis, had entered her dog in the competition twice before. Not only because she truly believes Wild Thang has a good shot, but also because she wants to use the platform to encourage dog owners to vaccinate their pooches.
In third place in 2022 was Monkey, a 12-year-old Blue Factor Brussels Griffon.
Like Mr. Happy Face, she was also rescued from a hoarding situation. Now, she is "living the best life a dog could have."
According to Monkey's owner, Scotch Haley, she has a gentle and patient disposition, and absolutely adores kids.
"Best dog anyone could ever ask for and I have been the lucky one to have her."
The winner of the spirit award in 2022v was Morita: a Mexican hairless rescue who is looking for a home.
Found in the streets of Puerto Pe?asco, Mexico, she was brought to Dr. Christie's Muttopia facility in Santa Rosa to recover and prepare for adoption.
Morita's Mexican upbringing is a big part of her personality as she loves mariachi music and is, "bilingual in English and Spanish, and offers a little French kissing too."
Other notable entrants include China Su, a rescue pug from China.
People Magazine reports, "China Su said all media requests should be handled through their publicist following their newfound fame."
The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is more than just a fun competition, it is also sends a message about the benefits of pet adoption.
Animal rescue and adoption groups are invited to showcase adoptable pets, and a significant number of entrants are rescues as well.
Of the top three finalists in 2022 (pictured here), two are adopted.
The contest prides itself on its diversity.
"The Contest has been a testament that all dogs do not have to meet AKC pedigree standards to be a man's (or woman's) best friend. The owners of all kinds of dogs are also all kinds of people, from youngsters to senior citizens, each proud of their pet despite missing fur, crossed eyes, duck waddles, or mismatched ears."