Meet Muppet, a Chinese crested dog from Peterborough. The unique canine has a tongue that permanently hangs out of the side of his mouth and an intriguing hairstyle.
“We didn’t think we would find another dog like last year’s winner, Peggy,” said Matt Dahan, head judge and founder of the competition. “But Muppet manages to be both cute and ugly all at the same time, and we think he has the same star quality.”
Muppet’s proud owner, Bev Nicholson, describes her pooch as a “wonky little rescue dog” but one that is “beautiful inside and out.”
“I know people say there’s no such thing as an ugly dog, but it is just a term of endearment,” Nicholson told the BBC. “There are ugly humans, aren’t there? The difference is Muppet has inner beauty. He’s not just a pink dog with a comb over.”
Muppet isn’t the first of his pedigree to take home the title. Perhaps the ugly gene runs strong in his bloodline because his brother Mugly won an “ugliest dog” title in 2012.
Along with taking home a trophy, Muppet also received a pampering session at a luxury doggie spa that included a mud bath, thalassotherapy (a therapeutic practice that involves being bathed in seawater), and a spray of fragrance. After that, he posed in front of the camera for a Christmas-themed photoshoot.
“Muppet loved his mud bath, and apart from a naughty poop at the photography studio, he behaved perfectly, and the photos look fabulous,” recalls Nicholson. “All in all, it’s been a great experience.”
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According to his happy owner, the wonky little dog spends plenty of time in front of the camera.
“People often take selfies with him with their tongues sticking out, too,” said Nicholson.
“When I was told Muppet had won, it gave me the giggles,” she adds. “I am happy for him; he knows no different, and it’s nice that a little wonky rescue dog has ended up with this dubious title.”
source: people.com
