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Beauty and the beast - 15th July 2022

This is the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, 17 year old Mr Happy Face. He beat nine other competitors at the California event.

The animal was adopted last year by musician Jeneda Benally, who searches for beauty rather than ugliness around her.

Jeneda Benally: "Every dog deserves their day and I think that it's a huge win. Not just for Mr Happy Face, but I think, I think that so many times in this world we see the ugly in things. And with some kindness and compassion, we can make this world so beautiful."

He suffers from poor health, yet Mr Happy Face loves life. He's keen on doing nothing, barking while asleep and also making odd noises when excited. It's time to add this prize to his talents.

Dogs such as Wild Thang, whose proud owner is Ann Lewis, were also hopeful contestants. This year, they were aiming for first place.

Ann Lewis: "Yea, he's a 'glugly' dog, a glamorous ugly dog. They should have a coated and non-coated competition. But he’s, we, this is our 3rd competition. Last year he got second, and so he's going to go for first this year."

Jinny Lu and owner Michelle Grady were new to the contest this year. Before being rescued, the animal had been left in a wooden cow shed on a mountain.

Ms Grady was confident that her dog's enormous tongue might get her noticed.

Michelle Grady: "Her tongue is great, and we're hoping it will win, it will win her the award. Yeah, so we’re excited to be here, it's our first time."

The Californian competition is a celebration of all sorts of dogs, and of animals which are less than perfect. For some people at the event, it makes them reconsider what 'cute' means.

Cincinnatus Hibbard: "It really, it really is stretching, expanding my whole concept of cute. And I think, I think any one of us can be cute, you know – ugly or beautiful."