At least that’s the assessment of judges in Petaluma, Calif., where the mastiff took the crown at this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. And she defeated some formidable pupposition (also pictured) .
You could say Martha is a rather cheeky gal. That is, the jowly 3-year-old Neapolitan mastiff has some remarkably cheeks — so expansive, in fact, they droop practically to her knees and flap like slobbery wings when she shakes her head. And now, they’ve earned Martha a prestigious honor: the title of world’s ugliest dog. Martha won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, Calif., beating out 13 other very homely pups to claim the crown on Friday. Besides the honor of the title, Martha also gets a trophy, a $1,500 prize and a flight to New York City for “media appearances, “. In winning, Martha also earned another — one might say greater — honor: her place enshrined on an illustrious list of champions that. “We’re proud to celebrate all dogs and pets by showing that no matter their imperfections, they are adoptable, lovable and a great addition to any family, ” says Erin Post, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair, where the contest is held. Martha hasn’t always been showered with laurels. In fact, , the 125-pound giant has overcome some desperate straits: Some took umbrage with the word “ugly” in Martha’s title — she’s “stunning, ” at least according to. But it was clear from the start that Martha bore the easy confidence of a champion. The wire service says the judges and the crowd fell in love immediately with her lumbering charms — even if she was a little less than impressed with them, “often plopping down on her side on stage with her droopy face spread across the ground when she was supposed to be showing off.” Don’t let Martha’s lackadaisical confidence fool you, though: The greats often make it look easy, no matter how tough the competition. And the competition indeed formidable — as you can see below.
