Hunchbacked, deformed dog wins ugliest dog in the world award

HE may have been born with spinal birth defects which left him hunchbacked, but Quasi Modo sure had some stiff competition in his fight for the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog.

FILE. In this Friday, June 20, 2014 file photo, Quasi Modo, an eight-year-old mixed breed from Florida, walks across the stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. The World's Ugliest Dog will be chosen at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday. For 25 years, the contest has been a testament that all dogs do not have to meet AKC pedigree standards to be man’s (or woman’s) best friend. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

A 10-YEAR-OLD mutt named Quasi Modo, whose spinal birth defects have left him hunchbacked, has taken out the first prize of the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest.

The pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix and his owner took the $US1,500 ($AU1,938.99) prize on Friday night, besting 25 other dogs competing in the contest that applauds imperfection, organisers said.

Champion ... Quasi Modo wins top honours in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, and receives a $1500 prize. Picture: Photo/Noah Berger

Quasi Modo was abandoned at an animal shelter before being adopted by a veterinarian in Loxahatchee, Florida, according to his biography posted on the contest’s website.

“My appearance can be a little unsettling to some (I have had grown men jump on top of their cars to get away from me because they thought I was a hyena or Tasmanian devil) but once they get to know me, I win them over with my bubbly personality,” his biography said.

The star ... Quasi Modo walks along the red carpet before the start of the competition Picture: AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON

Two Chinese crested and Chihuahua mixes named Sweepee Rambo and Frodo took the second- and third-place prizes, respectively.

Runner-up ... Sweepee Rambo, a 16-year-old Chinese Crested dog, took out the red ribbon in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. Picture: AP Photo/Noah Berger

An eight-year-old Chihuahua named Precious received the “spirit award,” honouring a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles and/or are providing service to the community.

Precious, who is blind in one eye, is trained to monitor smells related to low blood sugar levels and alert her owner, a disabled veteran, of the problem, her biography said.

Still proud ... Rascal, a Chinese Crested, missed out on the top spot despite his best efforts. Picture: AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON

The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 27th year.

The dogs are scored by a three-judge panel in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness