Martha, the “World's Ugliest Dog”

(Photo Courtesy: post-gazette.com)

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Martha, a 125-pound Neopolitan Mastiff, was the winner of the 29th World’s Ugliest Dog Contest last June 23.

Martha was a crowd favorite with her droopy face spread across the ground. She had beaten the 13 other dogs who participated in the contest. Moe, the oldest in the competition and a 16-year old Brussels Griffon-pug mix placed second. A 14-year old Chinese Crested-Harke mix, Chase, came in third.

The criteria for judging the contestants were first impressions, unusual attributes, personality, and audience reaction. Martha won a trophy, 1,500 US dollars, and a trip to New York for media appearances.

Martha’s handler Shirley Zindler said: “She was rescued when she was nearly blind but after several surgeries made, she can see again.”