Mr Happy Face takes worst in show at World's Ugliest Dog Contest

Owner of rescued pet says that she vowed to love him so much that he would never remember his 'awful' previous life

Jeneda Benally reacts to the announcement that her dog, Mr Happy Face, won the World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California. AFP

Mr Happy Face, a 17-year-old Chinese crested saved from a hoarder's house, won the competition, taking home the $1,500 prize. AFP

Ann Lewis brushes the hair of her dog Wild Thang before the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Competition. AFP

Wild Thang makes an effort to intimidate the competition. AFP

Apparently dogs with uncontrollable tongues are a big hit at the contest. AFP

Judges react as Wild Thang struts his stuff. AFP

Contestants and their people line the stage at the World's Ugliest Dog competition. AP

China Su, a pug rescued from China, awaits her turn on the stage. AP

Judge Mamrie Hart reacts to Monkey, a dog from Pleasant Hill, California. AP

Tee Tee, a Chinese crested, is shown to judge Brian Sobel. AFP

Monkey turns to face an adoring public. AP

Ann Lewis and Wild Thing. AP

Mandarina pants on her owner's lap while awaiting the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Competition. AFP

Despite the name of the competition, all dogs are beautiful. AFP

Canine contestants and their handlers await the competition. AP

Some of the dogs were not so ugly. AFP

Mr Happy Face is a whole different story. AFP

Morita, a Mexican hairless, appears to have plenty of hair. AP

Mr Happy Face could not be reached for comment regarding his victory. AFP

Rescued pugs named Jinny Lu and China Su of the Pug Hotel Senior Sanctuary in Sonoma County relax in their stroller. Reuters

Mr Happy Face and his owner, Janeda Banelly, took the top prize at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, a yearly event in Petaluma, California.

The competition’s official website said that Ms Banelly adopted the dog from an Arizona animal shelter in August 2021 and was told that he would probably only live a few weeks.

Rescued from a hoarding situation where the living conditions were “deplorable”, Mr Happy Face was suffering from several serious medical conditions, including tumours.

Rescued pugs Jinny Lu and China Su of the Pug Hotel Senior Sanctuary in Sonoma County stick around for the fair's festivities. Reuters

“When I first met him, he was the happiest creature that I had ever met,” Ms Banelly wrote about her pet. “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.”

The contest is part of the Sonoma-Marin Fair in northern California and is in its 34th year. One of the fair’s most popular attractions, it now features an all-day Dog Lovers' Festival before the competition.

Mr Happy Face beat out Wild Thang and Monkey, who placed second and third, respectively, to win the $1,500 in prize money and a trip to New York City.

“I believe that this humble soul is also being an example, in subtle ways, to help humans realise that even old dogs need love and a family, too,” Ms Banelly said.