Mutt Peanut, who was burned as a puppy, wins World’s Ugliest Dog competition; owner vows to donate prize to abused pups vet bills

A MUTT who was badly burned as a puppy has been named the World’s Ugliest Dog - and his owner couldn’t be more proud.

IT’s that time of year again when dogs with unusually large heads, hairless bodies and other oddities compete to be the World’s Ugliest Dog.

This year’s winner? A two-year-old mutt named Peanut, whose wild white and brown hair, bulging eyes and protruding teeth belie his sweet, energetic personality.

Although Peanut is healthy now, his owner, Holly Chandler of Greenville, North Carolina, says he was seriously burned as a puppy, resulting in bald patches all over his body.

Peanut’s owner plans to use the prize money to pay the vet bills of abused animals. Picture: AP

Ms Chandler hopes Peanut’s victory will help raise awareness about animal abuse.

“We’re trying to use him as a poster child for what can happen to animals who are abused,” she said.

She plans to use the $US1500 ($1600) prize to pay for other animals’ veterinary bills.

In the running ... SweePee Rambo, a Chihuahua/Chinese Crested mix, is held by her owner during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California. Picture: AP

The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 26th year.

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

Josie, a Chinese Crested, sticks out its tongue at The World's Ugliest Dog Competition. Picture: AFP

The past five winners have included a duck-footed beagle, boxer and basset hound mix with a waddle, a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix with a protruding tongue and short tufts of hair and a Chihuahua with a missing eye and a camel’s back.

Short but sweet. Quasi Modo, whose owner claims has a back that’s oo short for its body, struts its stuff onstage at The World's Ugliest Dog Competition. Picture: AFP

Contestant ... Icky looks over the shoulder of his owner Jon Adler before the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. Picture: AP

Originally published as Mutt Peanut, who was burned as a puppy, wins World’s Ugliest Dog competition; owner vows to donate prize to abused pups vet bills