World's Ugliest Dogs

The 2008 Champ — AP Photo/The Press Democrat

Gus, a pedigree Chinese Crested from St. Petersburg, Fla., competes in the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif. Friday, June 20, 2008. The grand prize winner has three legs, one eye and no hair -- except for the white Mohawk-like tuft on the top of his head. It was reported on Nov. 10, 2008, that Gus died of cancer at age 9.

Animal activist, model and TV host Beth Ostrosky, right, kisses Gus, a pedigree Chinese Crested from St. Petersburg, Fla., the winner of the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., June 20, 2008. Gus's owner Jeanenne Teed, center, and her daughter Janey, left, have been helping Gus fight his battle with cancer.

The 2007 Contest

The purebred Chinese crested dog Rascal checks out the competition at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. Rascal won the title of World's Ugliest Dog in 2002.

Brian Peoples holds his purebred Chinese crested dog named Reggie at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif.

Elwood, a Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, wears a personalized rhinestone collar at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. Elwood, who came in as second runner-up last year, won three prizes: first place in the Mutt Class, Ugly Dog of 2007, and the coveted position of World's Ugliest Dog in the 19th annual event.

Elwood appears at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. The 6-pound Chinese Crested-Chihuahua mix, who was rescued as the result of a New Jersey SPCA investigation, won the title of World's Ugliest Dog of 2007.

Karen Quigley, of Sewell, N.J., holds her dog Elwood, winner of the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. The 2-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix out-uglied his competition, netting his owner $1,000 in prize money.

Karen Quigley, of Sewell, N.J., center, reacts after her Chinese crested dog Elwood won the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. At left is Heather Peoples, holding her dog Archie, and Dane Andrew holds Rascal.

Dane Andrew of Sunnyvale, Calif., kisses Rascal, his pure bred Chinese crested, as they appear at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif.

Dawn Goehring, of Gatlinburg, Tenn., holds her pure-bred Chinese crested dog, Ellie, as they appear at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif.

Karen Quigley, of Sewell, N.J., holds her Chinese crested dog Elwood, who won the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday, June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. Fourteen dogs competed for the 19th annual title given out at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Kristin Maszkiewicz holds her Japanese crested dog Pee Wee Martini at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest June 22, 2007, in Petaluma, Calif. Pee Wee Martini, like many dogs in the contest, was saved by one of many animal rescue organizations found across the country.

Poppy gets a kiss from her owner Tamara at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest June 22, 2007 in Petaluma, Calif. Like many dogs in the contest, Poppy was saved from a puppy mill by Crest-Care one of many animal rescue organizations found across the country.

Rascal, left, a Chinese crested, meets Japanese crested Pee Wee Martini at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest June 22, 2007 in Petaluma, Calif. The dogs were among those competing for the title of World's Ugliest Dog at the 19th annual event.

Pee Wee Martini, a Japanese crested dog, is held by its owner Kristin Maszkiewicz at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest June 22, 2007 in Petaluma, Calif.

The audience roots for their favorite dog at the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest June 22, 2007 in Petaluma, Calif. A Chinese crested dog named Elwood took top honors at the 19th annual event.