9 photos of the most beautiful World’s Ugliest Dog Contest 2023 competitors

All the creatures on Earth are beautiful.

But there’s the annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest that’s been going on for 50 years, which is a bit tongue in cheek, because even those pups are adorable and the contest makes sure to confirm that: “The annual World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest is not about making fun of ‘ugly’ dogs, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!”

This year, Scooter a Chinese Crested, took home the 2023 title, which you can see above and below, along with some of the other competitors. Have a look:

1

Jinny Lu, a pug owned by Michelle Grady poses for a photo before the start of the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

2

Wild Thang, a Pekingese competing in the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest sits in the waiting kennel before the start of the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

3

Prince, owned by Aimee Hoffman, competes on stage during the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

4

Prince, owned by Aimee Hoffman, competes on stage during the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

5

Harold Bartholomew competes on stage with his owner Sabrina Impelido during the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

6

Scooter, a Chinese Crested, owned by Linda Elmquist is awarded first place, on stage during the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

7

Scooter, a Chinese Crested, owned by Linda Elmquist is awarded first place, on stage during the annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, on June 23, 2023. Scooter was the winner of the 2023 World’s Ugliest Dog Competition. (Photo by Philip Pacheco / AFP) (Photo by PHILIP PACHECO/AFP via Getty Images)

8

Jinny Lu, left, a 2-year-old pug, greets fans before competing in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

9

Grizzly relaxes while competing in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., Friday, June 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)