Applications for 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog are now open

Entries are rolling in for this year’s edition of the World’s Ugliest Dog — and if previous years are anything to go by they’ll be quality.

Applications for the 2023 “World’s Ugliest Dog” competition officially went live Saturday. Pictures: AFP

Calling all ruff-looking dogs.

Applications for the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog competition officially went live Saturday.

According to the competition’s website, the goal is to celebrate “the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique”.

Mr. Happy Face, a 17-year-old Chinese Crested, saved from a hoarder's house, won the competition last year. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Martha, a Neapolitan Mastiff, won in 2017. Picture: AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSON

Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, drools while competing – and winning – in 2018. Picture: AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSON

Zsa Zsa licked the competition. / AFP PHOTO / JOSH EDELSON

A dog named Tostito, who has no teeth or lower jaw, is seen competing in 2019. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

Wild Thang was one of the runners-up last year. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP)

“The annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful,” continues the site.

According to the site, those wishing to take place in the competition must file an application including a photo, short biography and vaccine records.

The official competition is scheduled to take place on June 23rd at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California.

Also according to the site, all the dogs will be judged in “one large class” instead of by breed.

The winner of the competition will be awarded $1500 as well as a trophy declaring them the “World’s Ugliest Dog”.

In 2022, the competition crowned a 17-year-old Chinese crested-Chihuahua mix named Mr. Happy Face as the most recent champion.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission