They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And that definitely seems to be the case with Yoda who was kissed and cuddled by her owner as the pooch bagged the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog.
The contest, held at Friday’s Sonoma-Marin Fair in Northern California, featured an array of “ruff” looking canines including last year’s winner, a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby and Handsome Hector who even has his own Facebook page and blog.
But in this year’s dog-eat-dog contest, Yoda, who was a first time entrant, managed to wow the judges with her short tufts of hair, protruding tongue and long hairless legs.
The 14-year-old Chinese-Crested Chihuahua mix has come a long way since she was found behind a row of houses by owner Nicole Schumacher.
Originally frightened out of her wits and under the impression the mangy-looking mutt was a rat, Schumacher almost ran a mile out of fear
But on closer inspection she soon discovered it was an abandoned dog in need of a good home and quickly took her in.
The Chihuahua breed appears to be firm favorite for the title of the ugliest dog as a pedigree.
A Chinese Crested won in 2008 and another Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix was named the ugliest in 2007.