English bulldog Zsa Zsa wins World's Ugliest Dog title

Pic Courtesy: Pixabay (representational image)

Los Angeles: Zsa Zsa, a 9-year-old rescued English Bulldog, with a lolling tongue nearly touching the ground, has won the 2018 World's Ugliest Dog contest held in California.

Despite her underbite, wrinkled face, muscular figure and a lolling tongue nearly touching the ground, Zsa Zsa won the judges' hearts at the popular contest, the 30th edition of which concluded in Petaluma in the San Francisco Bay Area on Saturday.

"Nine years young with a swaggering tongue, Zsa Zsa delivered a shower of slobber as she claimed this year's title," the organisers said in a statement.

Zsa Zsa, a rescued English Bulldog from Anoka, Minnesota charmed her way into the judges hearts, it said.

Zsa Zsa's adopted parents, Megan and Jesse Brainard said, "she was a puppy mill dog for five years in Missouri sent to a dog auction and later purchased by Underdog Rescue, a rescue group.

From the moment we saw her beautiful face, we knew we would be her forever home. We are so excited for her, she deserves this."

NBC News correspondent and contest judge Jo Ling Kent said, "it was a very difficult decision, we loved all of the dogs. It was a huge responsibility and we are just so happy for Zsa Zsa".

Besides her title, Zsa Zsa was awarded USD 1,500 in prize money and a trophy, and will be flown to New York for media appearances.

The red carpet runners-up included 2nd place winner Scamp, owned by Yvonne Morones, who also claimed the Spirit Award and third place winner Josie, owned by Linda Elmquist.

There were 14 proud pups competing in this year's World's Ugliest Dog Contest. 

The World's Ugliest Dog contest is an innovative way to raise people's awareness and support for dogs with injuries and deformities, many of whom have been rescued from shelters and puppy mills and are in desperate need of a loving home, the organisers said.

"The pedigree does not define the pet," they said, adding, "dogs of all breeds and sizes have warmed our hearts and filled our lives with unconditional love."