Skip navigation
sponsored by 

Elwood the mutt crowned ugliest dog

2-year-old N.J. canine often referred to as 'Yoda' earns regal title, $1000

Karen Quigley, from Seweel, New Jersey poses Elwood after he was crowned the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog on Friday in Petaluma, Calif.
David Paul Morris / Getty Images
Web extra video
Ugliest dog in the world!
June 23: Elwood, a Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, has been crowned the world's ugliest dog. His owner, Karen Quigley,says: "Don't judge him by looks alone!"

NBC News Web Extra

Slide show
GERMANY-ANIMALS-FLAMINGO-OFFBEAT
  Animal Tracks
From marching elephants to a dancing toy poodle, find images of animals great and small.

more photos

Video: Strange news
Weaponized fastball
July 25: A bench clearing baseball brawl went too far when Peoria Chiefs pitcher Jose Castillo threw a fastball at the Dayton Dragons’ bench and ended up hitting a fan.

Video: Pet health
Lion reunion is YouTube hit
July 22: TODAY hosts check out a YouTube video showing Christian the lion reuniting with his human caretakers.

updated 12:23 p.m. ET June 23, 2007

PETALUMA, Calif. - Elwood, a 2-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, was crowned the world’s ugliest dog Friday, a distinction that delighted the New Jersey mutt’s owners.

Elwood, dark colored and hairless — save for a mohawk-like puff of white fur on his head — is often referred to as “Yoda,” or “ET,” for his resemblance to those famous science fiction characters.

“I think he’s the cutest thing that ever lived,” said Elwood’s owner, Karen Quigley, a resident of Sewell, New Jersey.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement

Quigley brought Elwood out to compete for the second year at the annual ugly dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair. Elwood placed second last year.

Most of the competing canines were also Chinese Crested, a breed that features a mohawk, bug eyes and a long, wagging tongue.

Quigley said she rescued Elwood two years ago. “The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell,” said Quigley.

“So ha ha, now Elwood’s all over the Internet and people love him and adore him.”

Beyond the regal title of ugliest dog, Elwood also earned a $1,000 reward for his owner.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links

Resource guide

Get Your 2008 Credit Score

Search Jobs

Find your next car

Find Your Dream Home

Find a business to start

$7 trades, no fee IRAs