Got a dog so ugly it makes your eyes hurt? Then check this contest out

by · Mail Online

A contest to find Britain's 'ugliest' dog that will make 'your eyes hurt when looking at them' has hit a snag - after entries proved 'too cute'. 

Organisers behind the competition, which launched last month, blasted Brits for their snaps of their pets, saying the deluge of entries simply weren't ugly enough. 

Matt Dahan, founder of photo firm ParrotPrint.com which is running the contest, said it was only open to pets that were 'butt ugly' that would 'make your eyes hurt when you look at them'.

Previous winners of the unfortunate title include four-year-old Peggy the pug and Chinese-crested cross, who recently starred alongside Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in Deadpool and Wolverine.

In a bid to set out what qualifies as 'ugly', contest chiefs are appealing for more unphotogenic pooches like Muppet, a rat-like pup from Peterborough. 

Is YOUR dog so 'butt ugly' it could 'make your eyes hurt'? Email your pictures and a short blurb to tom.cotterill@mailonline.co.uk 

The hunt is on for Britain's 'ugliest' dog. Previous winners of the title include Peggy, a pug and Chinese Crested cross - or pugese
Peggy rose to fame after appearing alongside Ryan Reynold and Hugh Jackman in Deadpool And Wolverine earlier this year. Peggy is pictured at the film's premiere in New York
Cast members Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, holding Britain's ugliest dog Peggy
In a bid to set out what qualifies as 'ugly', contest chiefs are appealing for more unphotogenic pooches like Muppet (pictured), a rat-like pup from Peterborough

Brother of the World's ugliest dog in 2012, Muppet has lost some of its teeth and its tongue hangs out most of the time. It also sports a white centre-parting of fur on its head.   

The Chinese crested dog was originally called Gollum after the Lord of the Rings character but his new owner changed his name to 'Muppet' thanks to its 'cheeky grin and playful nature'. 

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From the runt of an litter to hitting Hollywood - how Peggy the ugliest dog became a worldwide hit

The head judge has called for Brits to stop sending in photos of dogs like Ivy from Glasgow who is considered far too pretty to stand any chance of winning. 

The photogenic chihuahua currently represents 90 per cent of all entrants to the competition - a situation organisers say they want to change. 

Head judge Mr Dahan said: 'We love dogs and it's great that so many owners are willing to put their beloved pets forward for our competition but we need to be clear, this is a contest to find the ugliest dog in Britain.

'We have had a strong response so far, but 90 per cent of entries have been cute dogs like wee Ivy from Glasgow who is clearly adorable but stands no chance of winning.

'While it's great that so many people want to be involved, we need to ask people not to send in pictures unless they honestly consider their dog to be one of the ugliest in the land.

Judges are looking for 'butt ugly' dogs like Muppet (left) instead of entries that look 'too cute' like Ivy from Glasgow (right)
Muppet the dog, pictured, is reportedly among the front-runners for this year's contest 
Pictured is Goose the dog, which is another entrant to the competition this year 

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'We are looking for dogs who make your eyes hurt when you look at them and we think Muppet has the looks to challenge for the title. This definitely isn't a competition for cute dogs or pretty pets.

'If you think your dog is butt ugly then we want to hear from you. The winning mutt will be treated to a professional grooming and a before and after photo session.

'Let's see if we can transform an ugly dog into a beautiful pooch and brighten up its owner's life at the same time.'

Peggy clinched the title of Britain's Ugliest Dog following an official poll last year. 

Since then she has gone on to global superstardom, staring in the blockbuster Marvel hit Deadpool and Wolverine - even wearing her own costume.

Reynolds seems to be protective of little Peggy, seen jokingly sheltering her from the cameras
Peggy was enlisted to join the cast of the upcoming Marvel film when Reynolds spotted the dog. She is seen in a scene of the upcoming movie
The pup is no stranger to the limelight and has earned herself strange looks, gasps and remarks when being walked around the neighbourhood

She began life as the runt of an accidental litter, before being adopted by Holly Middleton, from Leven, East Yorkshire when she was six months old. 

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Britain's ugliest dog 'Chase' dies aged 16 as heartbroken owner says Chinese-crested mix with no teeth, cataract and crab-like walk was 'one of a kind' 

Rather than feeling self-conscious about her quirky looks, Peggy - encouraged by its doting owner - struts about with pride. 

Peggy's owner entered the pooch into the competition for Britain's 'Ugliest Dog' and won the prize of a grooming session ad photoshoot.

She even appeared at a red carpet event earlier this year to mark the release of Deadpool and Wolverine - with actor Reynolds, 47, posing with the pooch for photos.

The previous winner of Britain's last ugliest dog was Chase, another Chinese-crested mix with no teeth, cataract and a crab-like walk.

The 'unique' pooch lived with its owner Storm Shayler in South Wales and had come third in the world ugly dog competition in California in 2017. 

Chase the dog (left) had originally been rescued from a puppy farm by his owner Storm Shayler (pictured right with Chase)
Chase the dog (left) had originally been rescued from a puppy farm by his owner Storm Shayler (pictured right with Chase)

Chase - who was described as 'beautiful inside' by its owner - died two years later in 2019, aged 16, following a battle with pancreatitis.

Speaking at the time, owner Storm said the pooch was a 'one-of-a-kind dog', adding: 'He had so much personality and I took him everywhere with me.'

Anyone wanting to enter Britiain's Ugliest Dog contest should email Parrot Print before October 31. A shortlist will be announced early in November with the winner crowned in December. Entries can be sent to uglydog@parrotprint.com

For more information about Britain's Ugliest Dog Competition 2024 visit: https://parrotprint.com/blog/ugly-dog/