Doggone Ugly

The 2006 World's Ugliest Dog, Archie, a Chinese crested is seen during the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Archie and his owner, Heather Peoples of Phoenix, Ariz., took home the $1,000 prize for winning this year's contest.

Heather Peoples of Phoenix, Ariz., holds Archie, a Chinese crested, after he was crowned the World's Ugliest Dog at the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif.

A dog named Munchkin competes for the title of ugliest dog during the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, in Petaluma, Calif. Munchkin was rescued from the San Francisco Animal Shelter where her owner got a 60 percent discount for buying her.

Heather Peoples, left, of Phoenix, Ariz., holds her Chinese crested dog Archie, winner of the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition. Standing next to her is Kristen Macskiewicz, the owner of Pee Wee, a Chinese crested/Japanese chin mix who was named Ugliest Mutt on June 23, 2006, in Petaluma, Calif. Dogs vied for barking rights in four levels of competition.

Sporting a lovely pompador, Lucielle Bald, of Cocoa Beach, Fla., was among 18 competitors at the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Dogs and their owners came from across the country for the event. Many paid tribute to Sam, crowned the "World's Ugliest Dog" for three years in a row, who died on Nov. 18, 2005, just short of his 15th birthday.

Heather Peoples of Phoenix, Ariz., looks over her Chinese crested dog Archie before the start of the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Peoples rescued Archie from the shelter where she worked. In fact, the shelter paid her $10 for keeping him.

Sporting some bling, a dog named Elwood shows his stuff during the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, in Petaluma, Calif. "The contest is for people who have a sense of humor and love dogs," said Vicki DeArmon, a spokesperson for the Sonoma-Marin Fair, which conducts the show.

A dog name Pee Wee that won the title of Ugliest Mutt is held up by its owner during the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Like many of the other competitors, Pee Wee's tongue hangs out the side of his mouth most of the time.

Rascal, a Chinese crested, attends the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Rascal hoped for a leg up on the competition as he descends from an Ugly Dog dynasty -- his mother, grandmother and grandfather all held ugly dog titles.

The 2006 World's Ugliest Dog, a Chinese crested named Archie, is seen during the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006 at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Archie succeeds three-time winner Sam, also a Chinese crested, who became an international celebrity after winning the contest in 2003, 2004 & 2005. Sam made headlines again when he passed away in November 2005.

Heather Peoples, right, looks on as Eliza Negiepe pets her Chinese crested dog Archie before the start of the 18th annual World's Ugliest Dog competition June 23, 2006, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Peoples and Archie went home to Phoenix, Ariz., $1,000 richer after Archie was crowned the 2006 World's Ugliest Dog.

Yvonne Morones, left, pets Lucielle Bald, who was entered in the Sonoma-Marin Fair's World's Ugliest Dog competition. The 18th annual contest was held June 23, 2006, in Petaluma, Calif., and drew media attention from around the world.

Archie, right, and his owner, Heather Peoples of Phoenix, Ariz., share a loving glance after the Chinese crested was named top dog at the World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, Calif., June 23, 2006. Along with a large trophy and blue ribbon, the winners took home $1,000.