When does ugly become cute on a dog? Which brachycephalic breed is the most ancient of all? Is there a genetic connection between hairlessness and bad teeth in dogs? What breed holds the record for the longest tongue?
When does ugly become cute on a dog? Which brachycephalic breed is the most ancient of all? Is there a genetic connection between hairlessness and bad teeth in dogs? What breed holds the record for the longest tongue? Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101, where we'll meet dogs so ugly they're cute from all walks of life.
For even more dog content, stream full episodes of Dogs 101 on discovery+. Go to discoveryplus.com/dogs101 to start your free trial today. Terms apply.
Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/ugly-dogs
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Is this tongue for real? Is this one? Does this make this dog the ugliest dog in the world? Are wrinkles cute or ugly on a dog? Is a dog with a pushed in face, hind quarter hideous or lovable? A dog with no hair and bad teeth unsightly or adorable? On this special edition of Dogs 101 we’ll tackle an age old issue, are some dogs just plain ugly. And we’ll find out which dog is the winner of the 21st Annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. |
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO The canine world is filled with beauty. Who can resist the flowing grace of the Whippet? The dainty prance of the Shih-Tzu? The noble air of the Weimaraner? Or the rugged good looks of the St. Bernard.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC As many reasons to admire dogs as there are dog breeds.
HOST VO But there’s a flip side to these pedigreed pooches.
MUSIC SEGUE
A group of canines that are just as loved and pampered as their stylish cousins.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC If there’s a dog that’s so ugly there’s this unusual law of nature that they automatically become cute. |
DARA FOSTER VO/OC Some people might look at a, a Chinese Crested with pimples on its back and say oh my gosh that’s ugly. But to someone who has an energy connection with that animal, that animal’s beautiful.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Once considered underdogs, they now hold their heads high.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Years ago it used to be you wanted to have the perfect dog, but now ugly is in.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO They are the dogs with those beautifully ugly smushed in faces. The so creepy it’s cute, hairless skin. And the terrible gnashing teeth. And the slobbery tongues, oh the tongues. These are the ugly dogs and today we’re heading to the Mecca of ugly dogdom, the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California where one ugly dog will be crowned the ugliest. |
| MUSIC SEGUE |
MUSIC SEGUE
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Let me tell you, you go to a shelter and you’re |
gonna see some ugly, ugly dogs that are some of the sweetest dogs that you’ll ever, ever meet.
FEMALE VOICE #1 VO Yeah. Doesn’t that look nice?
GIRL VOICE #1 VO He’s so cute.
HOST VO What makes certain dogs ugly? Masses of wrinkles? Pushed in faces? Or, their lack of hair.
PROFESSOR CALDWELL-HARRIS VO/OC Humans can become very attached to, fascinated by every ugly pets. This is part of human’s fascination with oddness and extremes.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC It’s almost like kind of you know, gawking or just staring at them because they’re sort of unusual, you know, the same reason you might stop and look at a car crash. | ||
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Whatever it is some dogs are just plain ugly and we love them for it.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC Beauty is in the eye of the bolder and it’s the extreme version of ugly that really drives people over the top crazy with cute overload.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Ugly dogs are cute no matter how you face it. | ||
| 01:03:20 | MUSIC SEGUE | |
HOST VO Dogs 101 combed the country to find the most endearing ugly dogs. Our search of these ugly mugs culminated at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Where for decades ugly dogs have flocked to be judged on, well, their ugliest at the Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Instead of a beauty pageant, it’s an ugly dog pageant.
HOST VO It’s the academy awards, the Miss America Pageant, the Super Bowl for ugly dogs.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Finally there’s a contest for the rest of the world of dogs.
HOST VO On today’s special edition of Dogs 101 we’ll define what traits make a dog so ugly it’s cute, and we’ll start with some of this years ugly dog contestants. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Year after year small hairless dogs with grizzled smiles dominate the competition and every year there are long shot furry pooches trying to steal their crown. Pabst, the boxer mix is one of those underdogs.
MUSIC SEGUE
After four years of hearing how beautifully ugly Pabst underbite is, his owner Miles Egstad has | ||
entered him in the world’s ugliest dog competition.
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC I think what sets Pabst apart from the other dogs in the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition is he mostly resembles a normal dog except for his face. I absolutely love him.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO At a local adoption event, Pabst stole Miles heart.
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC I got him when he was around six months old, was pretty much love at first sight.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Even though Pabst is in perfect health, with such a large underbite Miles did have some concerns.
MILES EGSTAD VO He seemed to have a difficult problem chewing his hard food so I started him giving him just wet food. He’s learned to use his underbite more as a scoop.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Once settled into his new home it was time for Pabst to meet his family. At first glance Pabst had a face even Miles’ mother couldn’t love.
CAROL EGSTAD OC |
My first reaction to Pabst that he was quite scary.
MUSIC SEGUE
VERONNICA BORGEN OC/VO The first time I ever met Pabst, I was really intimidated. He has this big underbite that’s kind of scary looking, but he came right up to me, he just put his head under my hand.
MILES EGSTAD VO After people get to know Pabst, they really love him. He’s the best dog there is.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO However with a face like that Pabst seemed to draw attention wherever he goes.
MALE VOICE #1 VO What’s wrong with that thing?
MALE IN BLUE SHIRT OC The teeth that are sticking out are even yellow.
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC Well there’s the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition if he, if he takes first place I’ll get him some veneers.
MALE IN BLUE SHIRT VO/OC His reflection in the water. He scared himself.
FEMALE IN BROWN SHIRT OC Definitely the ugliest dog I’ve seen.
MILES EGSTAD VO Honestly I don’t think that he is ugly |
whatsoever.
MUSIC OUT
HOST VO With reactions like that it’s no surprise that Pabst, Miles and Veronnica are taking a road trip a couple hours away to Petaluma.
MILES EGSTAD VO I had to enter…
MUSIC IN
… him in the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition because people tell me nonstop that he’s the ugliest thing they’ve ever seen.
VERONNICA BORGEN VO/OC I think he has a great chance of winning.
MILES EGSTAD OC All right Pabst, I know you’re ugly, but you give it your ugliest, okay boy. Get out there and win this contest.
HOST VO All packed up Pabst and company are off in search of a blue ribbon. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Pabst is on his way to the ugly dog competition with high hopes. But what is the secret to his dapper bad looks? Sure he has that mean looking underbite, but can you guess what trait Pabst shares with Pugs, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs?
| ||
FEMALE IN BLUE TANK VO/OC Brachyeilly
MALE W/GOATEE OC Barachcyphillic
FEMALE W/GRAY HAIR OC Brachy.
MALE WITH CAP OC I wouldn’t have the slightest idea what that would mean but it sounds ugly in itself.
MUSIC OUT
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Brachycephalic dogs, you know, the dogs with the pushed in faces.
MUSIC IN
HOST VO That’s right they’re brachycephalic. It basically means a pushed in mug and a broad short skull. It could also be the scientific term for ugly but lovable. From the boxer to the Pekingese to the Shih Tzu something about that mug just makes us wanna take brachys everywhere we go.
MUSIC SEGUE
France may be the land of love, but like many brachys, French Bulldogs can only be bred by artificial insemination. Those lovable smushy faces are so big, many brachycephalic dogs can only be born via cesarean section.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC Birthing is, you know, almost impossible and without assistance can be fatal. |
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO If you think that mug is so ugly it’s cute you’re in good company. The oldest brachycephalic breed, the Pekingese, was a companion to Chinese emperors as far back as the 8th Century. From Napoleon Bonaparte to Adam Sandler, brachys have been faithful companions throughout the ages.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC They make us laugh. They give us a little chuckle and they make us feel good.
HOST VO In fact that so ugly it’s cute look may have been exactly what early breeders were going for with these dogs. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO That loveable pushed in muzzle is the key brachycephalic trait. The breadth and length of the skull are almost equal. Compare that to the mug of a mesocephalic dog, like a Lab. These dogs have average sized muzzles. dolichocephalic dogs like Great Danes have extremely long muzzles.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC We’ve bred these shorter and shorter noses and the brachycephalic is just the, the extreme example of that.
MUSIC OUT
HOST VO | ||
The pushed in mug often results in very small nostrils, so these dogs tend to wheeze and snort.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They have trouble breathing because their nose is short.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO In some cases brachycephalic dogs suffer from a debilitating condition caused by an elongated soft palette. The upper part of the soft palate can flap into the trachea, this can suffocate a dog if no action is taken.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC That actually has to be corrected by surgery.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Small nostrils can also cause brachys to suck in a lot of air, this can lead to some rather impolite habits.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC They just tend to have gas, you know. I mean they like fart all the time.
HOST VO Another consequence of a smushed in face, is prominent protruding eyeballs.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO Its eyes can pop right out of its head because the socket is so shallow.
MUSIC SEGUE
|
ZAK GEORGE VO When I think of a n ugly dog…
MUSIC OUT
… I instantly think of a pug. I mean, you look at that face and it’s like you have to ask yourself…
MUSIC IN
… is this thing even like from Earth?
HOST VO One rapping duo might have something to say about that description of the pug.
LYRICAL VO/OC
HOST VO Meet Dollar. He’s the constant companion to the rapper…
MUSIC OUT
… Lyrical.
LYRICAL VO/OC They just have that face…
MUSIC IN
… that they’re so ugly they’re cute.
HOST VO |
When these two aren’t laying down rhymes they can be found dropping knowledge in the classroom. Along with being one of Boston’s hottest up and coming rappers, Lyrical is a college math professor, music instructor and community speaker.
LYRICAL OC Bringing the pug to any event that I speak at is an icebreaker. If you have a pug with you and you show up at some place, anybody with a frown on is actually gonna be smiling or laughing.
MUSIC OUT
I attend the rock shows with my dog Dollar.
HOST VO Dollar is more than just a sideshow for Lyrical. The pug’s peculiar looks…
MUSIC IN
… help to break down barriers whenever Lyrical speaks or performs.
LYRICAL OC/VO If they think the pug’s ugly they’re gonna talk about that. But if the pug is something that they think is a cute dog, they let their guard down, which is what all this is about. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Brachycephalic dogs are no beautifies. They’re also drooly, gassy, and all around rude, but they sure can charm a crowd. If you think one of these brachy breeds is for you, get ready for vet | ||
bills.
MUSIC SEGUE
Respiratory problems are the biggest concern but dental problems and eye issues abound. This all means that brachys require big time care and maintenance. Because of airway issues, neck leashes are a no, no. A body harness should always be used to leash a brachycephalic dog.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC These dogs should be kept cool, should be kept the right weight. Should always have constant access to water.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO If you were to pinpoint the key ugly factor, it would have to be those beautiful, but freaky, bulging eyes.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC I’ve seen lots and lots of dogs with their eyes proptosed which means the eyeball has actually popped out of the socket.
MUSIC OUT
HOST VO There is a wide variety of brachycephalic breeds…
MUSIC IN
… and each dog is an individual. But in general their breathing should be monitored closely and they have a host of other health issues. Don’t |
let them get overweight and the key ugly factor are eyes that literally pop out of the sockets. Beauty is the eye of the beholder and whether you think they’re beautifies or beasts brachys make themselves the center of attention.
LYRICAL VO/OC I think it’s funny though if somebody does say I ugly, because I usually look at that person and I’m like, don’t make me say what you look like.
MUSIC OUT | ||
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Coming up on Dogs 101’s ugly dog special. She may only weight ten pounds, but this little Chinese Crested could be a heavyweight at this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest. But she has stiff competition from this barrel of wrinkles.
MICHEAL BROUSE VO You ready? | ||
| MUSIC OUT | ||
| MUSIC IN | ||
HOST VO For almost a decade a Chinese Crested has been crowned the world’s ugliest dog.
MUSIC SEGUE
| ||
Miss Ellie a purebred Chinese Crested fits the winning bill to a tee. Hairless, no teeth, a tongue hanging out and that’s not all.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC She is blind. She has a lot of warts and moles on her body. She has a broken, crooked tail, a tumor on her eyelid and she actually has a very, very slight crooked nose if you look closely.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO But that doesn’t stop owner Dawn Goehring from loving this 16 year old misfit.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC She is not ugly to me. She is beautiful inside and out.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Miss Ellie’s life didn’t start out sweet, along with another Crested, she was rescued from an unfortunate situation where she had very little human contact.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC So we took her in and between the two of them they were the cuddliest, most affectionate loving dogs and I fell in love with the breed.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Miss Ellie’s life now includes an overabundance of love from both dogs and humans down home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
|
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC I work at the Comedy Barn theatre in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and I perform with ten of my rescue dogs, the audience goes crazy. They love the fact that they’re rescued and they usually get a, a lot of energy and a great big round of applause. Everybody loves Miss Ellie. They meet her, and it’s an instant connection. Some people think she’s so ugly she’s cute, other people think, man she is ugly.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO A few years ago Dawn decided to see if that instant connection could earn Miss Ellie a place at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC I decided to enter Miss Ellie into the Ugly Dog contest. After reading about it I thought that she could be an advocate for other rescue dogs of the not so cute kind.
HOST VO While Miss Ellie only placed second in the Pedigree Division, it was all Dawn needed to inspire another trip to the contest.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC I thought well maybe we have a chance again, and so we decided to come back this year and decided she would have the platform of promoting rescue dogs if we won.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO And she has some major support. If Miss Ellie wins this year The Comedy Barn, where Dawn |
and here comedic canines perform will donate 5,000 dollars to the local Humane Society.
MALE IN BLUE OVERALLS VO/OC She don’t know what ugly means. She just knows she gets a lot of treats and a lot of love.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO With the contest just around the corner, Miss Ellie has some packing to do.
DAWN GOEHRING OC Ready to go to California? Working on your tan?
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO And while she must leave her happy canine family behind Dawn thinks traveling the 2100 miles will be well worth the trip for her hairless companion.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC We’ve got a lot of support behind her and so we’re really hoping she’s got a good shot this year.
HOST VO Good luck Miss Ellie. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Bald is beautiful they say, but what about in dogs?
ZAK GEORGE OC | ||
Hairless dogs, ugly dogs, synonymous.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC I think that they’re just like any other dog. They just have funky characteristics.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Depending on your point of view they’re an exotic brew or motley crew. The Chinese Crested, the Xoloitzcuintle, the American hairless terrier, the Hairless Khala and the Peruvian Inca Orchid. If you wanna turn heads, get yourself a hairless hound.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC It’s just like wow, you know, did you ever that dog is completely naked. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO These odd looking creatures have been around for centuries in Central and South America, China and Africa.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They were actually used in ancient times as hot water bottles.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Some of them have small tufts of hair on their head, tail, and feet. But their most distinctive | ||
physical characteristic is of course, their general lack of body hair making them easy to groom but harder to cuddle.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Isn’t the point of having a dog to be able to pet them? How do you pet a hairless dog? Are you supposed to like massage them?
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO If you do, you may notice they’re prone to blotchy skin and pimples.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They can have acne kind of like we do.
HOST VO And because they dysfunctional gene that controls their hairlessness also plays a role in dental development. Hairless dogs frequently have misshapen or missing teeth. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Just like three year old Squiggy.
FEMALE IN GREEN SHIRT VO/OC Do you notice too his tongue sticks out because he’s missing some teeth there?
HOST VO This hairless mixed breed is part Chinese crested, part Japanese Chin. In his free time he lends his looks to art classes like this one at Metcalf Elementary school in Rhode Island.
FEMALE IN GREEN SHIRT VO/OC | ||
Look down at your paper then back at Squiggy.
HOST VO Inspiration comes in small packages. Who knows, this canine model may just help to mold the next great American artist.
FEMALE IN GREEN SHIRT VO What a likeness, huh, Squig? Looks just like you.
MUSIC SEGUE
GROUP OC Bye Squiggy.
HOST VO Whether he’s modeling or just hanging out, Squiggy makes an impression wherever he goes. These third graders can’t get enough of him…
GIRL IN PINK VO/OC Squiggy.
HOST VO … in their eyes he’s not ugly, he’s a looker.
BOY IN BLUE SHIRT OC Squiggy is so cute.
GIRL IN BLUE OC He’s so adorable.
BOY IN RED SHIRT OC He’s got this awesome mohawk. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
KRISTI CONTES VO/OC Look at your Aunt Dawn Marie. | ||
HOST VO When your every move is chronicled as often as four year old Chloe’s, an afternoon photo shoot is just another walk in the park.
KRISTI CONTES VO/OC Some day when she’s not around I’ll have something to remember how happy she made me and how big a part of my life she is. Such a wonderful helper.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Kristi Contes is a visual artist who loves documenting the everyday activities of her American Hairless Terrier, in highly original mixed media scrapbooks.
KRISTI CONTES VO/OC Typically the tings that I make about Chloe tend to be, you know, pictures that I’ve taken of her, mixed with little stories about funny things that she’s done. Do you hate the bath time? You do Chloe.
HOST VO Whether she’s documenting Chloe’s bath time antics or her summer tan lines, Kristi says her hairless sweetheart is well aware that she’s fabulous.
KRISTI CONTES VO/OC Chloe definitely knows she’s my muse.
MUSIC OUT
I mean look at this face.
|
MUSIC IN
HOST VO But on the streets of New York City reactions to Kristi’s muse run hot and cold.
MALE IN GREEN SHIRT VO/OC I will say it’s weird to touch a dog without hair but other than that no, I, I like it.
FEMALE IN FLORAL SHIRT OC/VO At first glance as cute as can be, but as it gets closer and closer it starts to remind me of another animal we see on the streets of New York.
HOST VO Kristi would beg to differ of course. Ugly or cute her hairless canine is mostly definitely a page turner.
KRISTI CONTES VO Who’s the best baby? | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
FEMALE W/SHORT DARK HAIR VO/OC Why does his tongue hang out?
MALE IN DARK T-SHIRT VO/OC What’s exactly wrong with him?
MALE IN DARK JACKET OC It’s safe to pet him?
FEMALE W/BLOND HAIR OC Touch?
DANE ANDREW OC Yeah. | ||
HOST VO When it comes to attracting attention few hairless dogs can compete with Rascal.
DANE ANDREW VO/OC For Rascal if you can’t be the best at being a good looking dog you have to be the best at what you can be and he’s the best at being ugly.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO This Chinese Crested holds more ugly dog titles than his owner Dane Andrew can count. He’s the 2002 winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition, and he’s parlayed his celebrity into appearances on the Tonight Show and The View. He hobnobs with the rich and famous, but all of this fanfare hasn’t dampened his competitive spirit.
MUSIC SEGUE
He has his sight set on winning this year’s ugliest dog competition once again.
DANE ANDREW VO/OC Rascal says this is his year and he’s taking the contest.
HOST VO He has reason to believe he could, his mother, grandmother and grandfather have all held the coveted title.
MUSIC SEGUE
DANE ANDREW VO Good boy. |
HOST VO Today’s the day of the competition and preparation counts. A wash, a towel dry, and some moisturizer get rascal competition ready and even ugly dogs can never be too coif.
DANE ANDREW VO That looks good.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO When it’s time to pack, Rascal’s raring to go.
DANE ANDREW VO This is for today. Come on Rascal.
HOST VO Victory is in the air and Rascal can feel it. He takes a few meditative movements to plan out his strategy.
DANE ANDREW VO Come on.
HOST VO And then he’s off.
DANE ANDREW VO What a great day for an ugly dog contest. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO If you want to stand out in a crowd get a hairless dog. Just be prepared they’re not the heartiest pushes in the park.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC | ||
There’s just a whole bunch of physical things that can affect these dogs.
HOST VO Rashes, acne and skin cancer to name just a few. And because they’re hairless, their skin needs protection. Warm clothes in the winter and sun screen in the summer. Without it.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC These guys will almost literally fry.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO But don’t forget their ugly factor. That mantra that hairless dog owners declare with pride.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Bald is beautiful. In men, women, dogs.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO In a nutshell hairless dogs can be a handful. They’re prone to skin and dental problems. And their hairless hides demand protection. Think winter wardrobes and sunscreen. But many find these bald pooches beautiful just the same.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC There’s just a sense of humor that comes with them. They’re funny.
HOST VO And at the end of the day a dog that keeps you smiling is beautiful indeed.
DANE ANDREW OC Yeah, I love the Rascal. |
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Still ahead on Ugly Dogs 101, this mass of wrinkles proves that ugly is the new cute, but can she buck the hairless trend and win the ugliest dog contest? | ||
| MUSIC OUT | ||
| MUSIC IN | ||
HOST VO Brachycephalic and hairless doges are often considered to be beautifully ugly. But, there are other things that contribute to the ugh factor. Whether it’s a supersized tongue, a prominent underbite, excessive drooling, or deep wrinkles we love to love ugly dogs.
DARA FOSTER OC/VO There’s the extreme version of ugly and the extreme version of cute that really drives people over the top with cute overload.
FEMALE IN RED OC How sweet.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO At least once a week I say oh my God, that dog is so ugly it’s cute.
HOST VO Puggy is no exception. This peculiar Pekinese | ||
is the canine version of Gene Simmons.
ZAK GEORGE OC That I wish I had a tongue that long.
MUSIC SEGUE
BECKY STANFORD OC/VO I was immediately drawn to Puggy because of his tongue. I mean, it gave him so much character.
HOST VO Becky Stanford is the proud owner of Puggy. She discovered that ugliness is only skin deep.
BECKY STANFORD OC/VO Good boy. He brings me so much joy. Puggy might be silly looking but, he has got a heart of gold.
HOST VO A heart of gold and a tongue that turns heads.
MALE IN WHITE SHIRT VO/OC That dog’s tongue is definitely one of a kind. I’ve never seen anything quite that long.
MUSIC SEGUE
BECKY STANFORD VO/OC When people see Puggy for the first time they are absolutely astonished.
FEMALE IN STRIPED SHIRT OC/VO I’ve never seen one like that before. How long is it?
BOY IN RED CAP OC Never seen a tongue that big before. |
FEMALE VOICE #2 VO It’s crazy.
HOST VO Puggy’s tongue might be outrageous, but it’s one of the most important organs in a dog’s body. It helps lap water, taste food, heal wounds and is a heat regulator. When a dog runs around the tongue becomes larger and the dog pants. These shallow and quick breaths cause the wet tongue to evaporate moisture and cool it down. As blood flows through the cool tongue it drops in temperature and is then transported to the rest of the dog’s body.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC It’s amazing to watch these dogs eat. They look very silly sometimes.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO So just how far does Puggy’s oversized tongue hang out?
FEMALE IN WHITE COAT VO/OC That’s a good measurement. Four and a half. Excellent.
FEMALE IN BLUE VO All right. All right.
BECKY STANFORD VO Hey at least it’s not shrinking.
HOST VO That’s a mighty long tongue for a Pekingese but the longest canine tongue on record belonged to a boxer named Brandy. It was a whopping 17 |
inches.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC Now that’s a serious tongue. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Some dogs have larger than life choppers that are always on display.
DARA FOSTER OC They add character to the dog.
HOST VO Dogs with short faces like Boxers and Pekingese are more likely to have underbite. This is a genetic jaw growth problem where the upper jaw grows at a slower rate than the jaw bone. Like Pabst this adoring ugly Pekingese has a prominent underbite and because the teeth are exposed it’s important that their brushed regularly to prevent early decay.
FEMALE W/RED HAIR VO Good girl. | ||
HOST VO Next up, best in slobber.
MUSIC OUT
Breeds like blood hounds, Neapolitan Mastiffs and the St. Bernard are the biggest drool offenders.
MUSIC IN
DARA FOSTER OC The person that finds a dog that drools so ugly | ||
it’s cute, is a person with patience.
HOST VO The skin around their mouths and jaws is very loose and this lets the drool seep out, especially when they eat and exercise.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC If you own one of those you’ve got to not mind cleaning spit from the ceiling. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO What do English Bulldogs, Shar Pei, Pugs and Neapolitan Mastiffs have in common? Wrinkles.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Wrinkles definitely add character to a dog. Whether or not it’s ugly or cute, well that’s up to you.
HOST VO And wrinkles are another thing we just love on a pooch.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Dogs with wrinkles are cute, and women with wrinkles are ugly. I don’t get that. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Meet Mojo, her mom Michelle is getting her ready for the ugliest dog contest. Mojo is the perfect mix of excess. She drools, has an overbite and everywhere you look there are wrinkles
MICHEAL BROUSE OC/VO | ||
There’s not enough Botox to fill that face up. People constantly stop us, oh she’s so cute. Oh, she’s not so cute.
MALE IN BROWN SHIRT VO/OC The doggone ugliest dog I’ve ever seen.
MALE IN YELLOW SHIRT VO Kind of wrinkly but she’s pretty cute.
FEMALE IN BLUE VO/OC She’s cute ugly.
MALE WITH WHITE CAP OC She’s not that ugly.
FEMALE IN BLUE VO/OC Yeah, it’s ugly.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO So it’s a mixed bag but Micheal is determined to do whatever it takes to prepare Mojo for the ugly win.
MUSIC SEGUE
Micheal is even going as far as dressing Mojo as a well known bounty hunter hoping to give Mojo the upper hand.
MICHEAL BROUSE VO/OC And I noticed that she kind of reminded me of Dwayne Chapman.
HOST VO Will looking like a famous bounty hunter be enough to get Mojo into the winner’s circle?
|
MALE W/BROWN CAP OC I’m sure Mojo would have a shot to win the ugliest dog contest.
MALE IN WHITE CAP OC No, I’m sorry, I don’t think she could win that.
FEMALE IN CREAM TOP OC My dog’s gonna win.
MALE IN YELLOW SHIRT OC Too cute to win.
MICHEAL BROUSE VO I hope that everybody will be so taken with her they’ll just let her win. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO While it’s easy to fall in love with these wrinkly faces they require special care.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC They can have a lot of skin infections.
HOST VO So regular skin care and grooming is a must with these wrinkly breeds.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO You have to really sort of part the wrinkles and clean them out and dry them and sometimes used ointment.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO The ugly factor for all of these delightfully ugly dogs is super abundance. Whether it’s a Texas | ||
size tongue, lots of fangs, lots of drools or wrinkles, these dogs are enormously cute.
MUSIC SEGUE
In general owners of the wrinkly breeds beware. These dogs are prone to skin infections so they require daily grooming and weekly bathing. Dogs with underbites and overbites need their teeth brushed regularly. For the drooling dogs, be sure to keep a wet rag handy to wipe off any excess drool and the ugly factor for all of these dogs is their over abundance.
DARA FOSTER VO/OC I mean some of the ugliest dogs I’ve ever seen have the best personalities in the world. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO When our ugly dog special continues, it’s the world series for aesthetically challenged dogs. The World’s Ugliest Dog contest, next.
MUSIC OUT | ||
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Now it’s time to play Pick The Pooch. Many consider this dog to be so ugly it’s adorable. Which monkey faced toy breed from Belgium sports a beard is brachycephalic and is said to resemble an ewok? Can you guess which breed it is? The answer when we come back.
MUSIC OUT | ||
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Which brachycephalic toy breed from Belgium sports a beard, looks just like an ewok and straddles the line between ugly and cue? It’s the Brussels Griffon. Originally rat catchers these spunky toy pooches make great watch dogs. | ||
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO It’s a sunny day in Petaluma, California and like every year thousands are filing into the Sonoma Marin Fairground. Like other county fairs across the nation 4-Hr’s bring their livestock to be judged.
MUSIC SEGUE
But what the Sonoma Marin Fair has over all the rest is a very special competition. A contest that crowns the most unusual looking canine on the planet.
FEMALE VOICE #3 VO Okay.
HOST VO It’s the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. This pageant pays tribute to the unique, the unusual and the downright ugly. And they’re so darn ugly they’re cute.
MUSIC SEGUE
Pabst the contender with the giant underbite has arrived. | ||
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC The only reason I entered him in is because everybody else tells me he’s hideous. Me and Veronnica are just gonna enjoy the day and have a great time. If Pabst wins it’ll just be a bonus.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Here’s Mojo the wrinkly Shar Pei.
MALE VOICE #2 VO Can I see you? Can I see you over here? Mojo, probably not.
MICHEAL BROUSE VO/OC I’m used to wherever I go she draws attention but it’s been just over the top today.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO For the last seven years a Chinese Crested has taken home the title. This hairless breed is considered a crowd favorite. Miss Ellie who made it all the way from Tennessee hopes it’s her turn to win.
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC I think our favorite part of this is that Miss Ellie gets the attention and we get to promote rescue dogs. Ready for this kiddo?
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO The competition is fierce today. 11 contestants have come from across the country so how does it work? First each dog competes in either the |
mutt or pedigree category. Then the winner from each of those divisions goes head to head to see who will be crowned 2009’s ugliest dog. But in order to win the grand prize of 2,000 dollars and take home the title of the world’s ugliest dog, this year’s winner must defeat a past winner in the final round. Remember the Hollywood hairless Rascal? He is the reigning champ today.
DANE ANDREW OC Rascal is one of the original winners from 2002 and he is now the only ring of champions title holder and he’s coming back so as a defending champion today. Whoever wins the overall competition is gonna have to go up against Rascal.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Such a little dog with so much ugly. Before anyone can step on to the stage Dogs 101 expert and veterinarian Doc Halligan screens the contestants.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Good girl. Hi, Spam-O-Rama. I can honestly say I’ve never examined a dog named Spam-ORama.
HOST VO Dogs who are ill will not be allowed to compete.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Hi Veronica. You’re beautiful. Even though they say you’re ugly, huh. Yeah.
MUSIC SEGUE
|
HOST VO Everyone has received a clean bill of health and it’s time to gather at the end of the red carpet for the competition to start. Brent Farris knows ugly dogs.
BRENT FARRIS OC/VO Yeah. Welcome. Welcome. You are in for a are treat.
HOST VO He has MC'd this event for 21 years. There are three judges. Brian Sobel, the director of the Sonoma-Marin Fair.
BRIAN SOBEL VO/OC We’ve got a great level of ugly and ugly is important here tonight.
HOST VO Next to him is Veterinarian Karen “Doc” Halligan.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Ugly is the new beautiful, right. Yes.
HOST VO And finally most of you know him as Timmy from Lassie, Jon Provost.
JON PROVOST OC Beauty fades but ugly lasts forever.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Whoo.
HOST VO The judges must consider first impressions, unusual attributes, personality and crowd reaction. |
BRENT VO/OC Welcome to Petaluma. Welcome to the Ugly Dog contest. We’ve got a great show for you tonight, this is gonna be great.
HOST VO The first round of the competition is the mutts.
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC Ladies and gentlemen first in the mutt category is Reggie.
HOST VO The Mexican hairless mix named Reggie may be the mutt to beat. His owner has been here before.
HEATHER PEOPLES OC This is my fourth time. I was the owner of Archie, who won in 2006.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC He looks like he’s wearing a toupee…
MUSIC OUT
… on his back, huh.
BRENT FARRIS VO He does.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO Does that grow or does it stay that way?
GIRL IN PINK VO It stays that same, the same.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO Okay. |
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC So he doesn’t shed at all.
GIRL IN PINK OC No he doesn’t.
BRENT FARRIS OC/VO And another bonus. Ladies and gentlemen that is Reggie.
HOST VO Time will tell if Reggie can take over the family ugly legacy.
MUSIC IN
His competition in the mutt division includes Arf, a three legged little scruffier from San Diego. Winston, a survivor of Hurricane Katrina. And Pabst with the amazing underbite.
MUSIC OUT
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC I guess named after a beer this is Pabst. Can you see this face?
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Does he have any trouble eating with that mouth, that underbite?
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC He kind of uses it as, as a scoop.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Like show me, show me how he eats.
MILES EGSTAD VO/OC Kind of. |
amputee, Reggie with a veteran owner, Pabst the underdog with the underbite, or Winston who survived Katrina? Who moves on to the next round? The judges have a lot to consider.
JON PROVOST VO/OC And I think most people notice that most of these dogs were rescued dogs…
MUSIC OUT
… and how important that really, really is.
HOST VO Now it’s time to announce the winner of round one.
MUSIC IN
BRENT FARRIS VO I’ve got the envelope. Inside the judges have made their call, ladies and gentlemen the mutt category, third place goes to Winston. Our second place award goes to Reggie. And first place and I think he knows it, Pabst.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO Pabst moves on in the competition, but will he take home a trophy? Pabst needs to out ugly the winner of the next round. The pedigrees. There are seven pedigrees with their sights set on victory. Miss Ellie from Tennessee has to be the favorite. She has that hairless gene, usually a winner here.
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC Ladies and gentlemen, big round of applause this is Miss Ellie. |
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC People see her and they ask me what she is, if she’s okay. They all wanna pet her. They wanna know what she feels like.
MUSIC OUT
BRENT FARRIS VO Ellie evidently was an ant eater in a precious life.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO Great tongue work. She a rescue dog?
DAWN GOEHRING VO/OC She is a rescue dog. She likes people to know that you don’t have to look for a pet to be perfect.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Right.
BRENT FARRIS VO Ladies and gentlemen Miss Ellie.
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Also in contention that mass of wrinkles, Mojo the Shar Pei.
MUSIC OUT
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC Hello Mojo. Yes, I love you, too. Look. Does Mojo do any tricks?
MICHEAL BROUSE VO/OC She dances for me. |
BRENT FARRIS OC/VO Mojo dances, let’s see. Here we go. Yes.
BRIAN SOBEL VO Now that’s a face only a mother could love.
MUSIC IN
HOST VO There are also more hairless breeds to consider. Ten year old Opie with a funky jaw. Princess Chelsea, a Chinese Crested with cataracts. Veronica the Xolo with a rhinestone collar. And Spam-O-Rama with the cutest escort.
LYDON VO/OC The first time I saw him I thought he was ugly, but now I think he’s cute.
MUSIC OUT
BRENT FARRIS VO What is it about this chi- this doggie that you absolutely love, the thing your favorite part of having this dog for you, Spam-O-Rama?
LYDON VO/OC So, he’s like so cute that he’s I mean so ugly that he’s cute and like his nozzle is really cute.
BRENT FARRIS VO His nozzle.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO That’s a new word.
LYDON OC Yes.
|
BRENT FARRIS VO I love that. Well there you go, there is Spam-ORama. Judges…
MUSIC IN
… we’re gonna need you to start tabulating and putting your decisions together.
HOST VO The competition is stiff. All seven contestants bring something different to the judge’s table. Can Mojo break the string of wins by the hairless breeds? Is this year really Miss Ellie’s turn? The contestants line up on stage as the judges place their choice in the envelope. It’s time to find out who is the ugliest of the pedigrees.
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC I’m opening the envelope. In third place, ladies and gentlemen in third place tonight Princess Chelsea. In second place, Mojo. And first place pedigree class ladies and gentlemen, Miss Ellie.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO It seemed inevitable. Miss Ellie crushed the competition. She beat out four other Chinese Crested to advance to the semifinals. Could it be her year?
MUSIC OUT
Pabst the king of the underbite and Miss Ellie the Cress de resistance must now go head to head to determine who will be this year’s ugliest dog.
|
MUSIC IN
Audience support is a key component in today’s event and will impact heavily on the scoring. The MC takes the pulse of the crowd. He asks them to cheer for their favorite dog.
BRENT FARRIS VO Miss Ellie. And now the king of the underbite, Pabst.
HOST VO The judges have heard the audiences’ applause, but ultimately it’s their decision. It’s anybody’s guess.
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC Ladies and gentlemen, our winner 2009 ugly dog, Sonoma County, California going on to the world champion in just a few seconds is, Pabst.
MUSIC SEGUE
HOST VO First time contender Pabst looks startled by the roars from the crowd. Pabst has made it to the final round. It’s a major upset. For the first time ever a mutt is the ugliest dog of the year. But it’s not over.
MUSIC OUT
BRENT FARRIS OC/VO This is the moment where you get to meet your challenger in a head to head competition with a past world’s ugliest dog.
MUSIC IN
HOST VO |
| MUSIC IN |
HOST VO Pabst won the mutt competition paws down and then went on to crush the Crested Miss Ellie and move on to the finals. But he’s still the underdog. Remember he has fur, most winners don’t. It’s now down to two dogs in the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. Will the winner be newcomer Pabst, or the past |
01:41:31
01:41:32
01:41:44
01:41:59
01:42:02
01:42:20
01:42:37
01:42:38
01:42:39
| champion Rascal? Each dog takes a final turn on the judge’s table.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC
HOST VO Rascal is a pro, and puts his best paw forward and the judges warmly welcome Pabst. Could the match wind up in a deadlock? One more time the MC asks the audience for input.
BRENT FARRIS VO Rascal. Pabst.
HOST VO Pabst may have the edge but these cheers are only one…
MUSIC SEGUE
… element leading to the judge’s final decision. They must consider unusual attributes and personality as well. Will the reign of the Chinese Crested continue? Is Pabst’s personality strong enough to persuade the judges? Or will Rascal’s spots and spindly legs sway their decision?
BRENT FARRIS VO/OC Our world champion tonight here on Animal Planet is, Pabst. It’s Pabst.
MILES EGSTAD VO Thank you. Thank you.
MUSIC SEGUE
BRENT FARRIS VO Stand up for him, |
01:42:46
01:42:59 | that trophy.
HOST VO Pabst has done it. It’s the end of an era. The reigning dynasty of the Chinese Crested has fallen. Pabst the precious pooch from the pound proves that a dog with fur can be the ugliest dog in the world.
MUSIC SEGUE |
| 01:43:00 |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Whoo. Go Pabst. I’m so excited. This is huge because he’s not a Chinese Crested.
MILES EGSTAD OC He out uglied the uglier dogs.
HOST VO The crowd love Pabst, and everyone is gathered around to congratulate Miles and take a photo with the winner.
JON PROVOST VO/OC With his personality and his looks and everything he just, he won everybody over.
HOST VO It was an event filled with wrinkles and |
01:43:31 | underbites and crazy hairless dogs. And it proved the new adage, ugly is the new beautiful.
MUSIC SEGUE | |
| FADE TO BLACK | 01:43:41 | MUSIC OUT |