Bald spots, crooked teeth and hunchbacks: The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is back

For this competition, it pays to be ugly.A crop of homely canines are getting ready for the 26th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, to be held Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.Contestants are reported to be coming to the fair from throughout the country to participate, where they are judged in four areas: first impressions, unique features, audience reaction and personali

June 17, 2014, 10:12 PM UTC

By Amy Eley

For this competition, it pays to be ugly.

A crop of homely canines are getting ready for the 26th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, to be held Friday at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.

Contestants are reported to be coming to the fair from throughout the country to participate, where they are judged in four areas: first impressions, unique features, audience reaction and personality. The winner will not only get the flattering title of the World’s Ugliest Dog, but it will also walk away with a cash prize of $1,500.

While the event may seem like a cruel joke, its organizers insist that it's more about showing off the dogs' inner beauty.

"The annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest is not about making fun of ugly dogs," reads a press release from the organizers, "but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful."

Take a look at some of this year’s top contenders and vote for the dog that you think should walk away with the top title.

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