Homely hounds compete for Ugliest Dog crown
<p>In this Friday, June 20, 2014 photo, Quasi Modo, an eight-year-old mixed breed from Florida, walks across the stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. The World's Ugliest Dog will be chosen at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday. For 25 years, the contest has been a testament that all dogs do not have to meet AKC pedigree standards to be man's (or woman's) best friend.</p>
<p>Peanut, a two-year-old mutt is held by Holly Chandler, the owner after winning the World's Ugliest Dog Contest.</p>
PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) - He's overweight and has a birth defect that left him a bit hunchbacked.
Quasi Modo is a 10-year-old pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix who was leading the World's Ugliest Dog contest, with nearly 10,000 votes by Friday. Resembling a hyena or Tasmanian devil, he can unsettle some people, but he makes up for it with a bubbly personality, his biography says.
Quasi Modo was far ahead of No. 2 Morris, a mutt who looks a little like a pig with a spiky haircut and has garnered more than 5,000 votes.
The two are among 27 dogs vying for the title of homeliest hound, which has been given to a pooch in the small California coastal town of Petaluma for decades. Dogs have arrived from as far as Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona to compete in a contest that applauds imperfections. The winner will receive $1,500 this weekend at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.
Several of the competitors have been rescued from shelters, puppy mills or abusive homes. This year features a new "spirit award," honoring a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles or are providing service to the community.