The World's Ugliest Dog Contest will celebrate the inner beauty and imperfections of man's best friend on Friday evening at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.
The pooches — many of which are adoptable or previously adopted — will face off in a red carpet walk and "Faux Paw Fashion Show," organizers said. The contestants are judged on first impressions, unusual attributes, personality and audience reaction.
A blind Chihuahua-Chinese Crested mix named Sweepee Rambo bested 16 other homely hounds in last year's competition and walked away with $1,500, a trophy and a flight to New York for media appearances with her owner, Jason Wurtz. The then-17-year-old champion proved that third time's the charm after falling short in the competition twice before.
In advance of the competition, you can meet this year's contestants — though organizers note that voting is now closed and was for "entertainment purposes only and does not affect the outcome of the World's Ugliest Dog judging."