They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This contest may prove that. Every year Sonoma & Marin Counties in Petaluma, California host The World’s Ugliest Dog competition. It celebrates pups that may not win an award for traditional beauty but are, nevertheless, still beautiful in our book. It’s all for fun and raises awareness for our beloved four-legged friends. Now, get ready for a face that some say only a mother could love.
Scamp the Tramp
For the past 30 years, the Sonoma-Marin Fair has held this competition that “celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.”
This year’s winner was Scamp. Scamp’s mom rescued the dog after she saw his profile on Petfinder. Yvonne Morones adopted him in 2014. “I ran across Scamp’s photo and it was just like Tinder for dogs. I swiped right and fell in love with that face,” Yvonne told the New York Times.
Yvonne named Scamp after memories with her grandfather. Apparently, when Yvonne was young, her grandpa warned her not to talk to the “hobos” and “tramps” on the streets. That warning later inspired her dog’s name. We love it and think it’s perfect.
Scamp is more than just a loving pup. He has served as a social therapy dog and a reading dog for a first-grade class. Also, Scamp represented the Humane Society of Sonoma County in a kissing booth at events. He has even greeted passengers at the Sonoma County Airport.
Surprisingly, Yvonne has had two other dogs win this competition. Her pups, Nana and Munchkin, were both winners in the past. Nana won for three years between 1995 and 2001.
Yvonne told The New York Times, “I’ve never looked for a dog for this. They seem to find me. Who knows? There might be another dog in my future.”
A Winner is Named
This wasn’t Scamp’s first trip to the Ugliest Dog Competition. In 2018, Scamp won runner-up. But this year he came to play and he took home the crown.
Scamp won a $1,500 prize, a trophy and a free trip to New York City. Not bad for this ‘ugly’ dog!
No matter what award Scamp won, we still think this pup’s beauty shines through. Watch this adorable canine take home the grand prize.
Congratulations to the 2019 #WorldsUgliestDog Contest WINNER Scamp The Tramp! 🏆 Charming the judges with her beauty and talent Scamp The Tramp pulled in front of the pack, taking this year’s crown at the #SonomaMarinFair! pic.twitter.com/8DfRXlBdkW
— Sonoma-Marin Fair (@SonomaMarinFair) June 22, 2019
H/T The Today ShowFeatured Image c/o Today Show Instagram