The ugliest dog in the whole of the UK has been named after a nationwide hunt - and she will now get a makeover. After sifting through scores of entries from dog owners who were each convinced their pet was the worst looking in the entire country, judges from ParrotPrint.com have named their winner.
The lucky pooch wins a pampering session and beauty treatments at an exclusive doggie spa along with a photo session and framed canvas portrait.
And the winner is ... Peggy, a much-loved five year old cross between a pug and a Chinese crested breed. During the contest Peggy appeared on BBC Breakfast, ITV’s This Morning, Channel 5 News, BBC Radio Five Live, BBC Look North and many other media platforms.
A spokesnan said: "She hasn’t once been phased by the bright lights, the TV cameras or the famous presenters. When we launched our contest in late 2022 we were flooded with entries but the vast majority were simply too cute to be serious contenders in an ugly dog competition.
"Peggy was the exception. She was an early entrant, submitted by her owner Holly, and right from the start stood out as the dog everyone was talking about.
"Using her wonderful entry picture, featuring her wearing a pearl necklace, we called out for more ugly dogs to enter the contest, and that was when the phone started to ring off the hook with media wanting to speak to Holly and meet Peggy."
Peggy’ started life as the runt of an accidental litter, and was the last one to be homed after all her brothers and sisters were selected for adoption. As her siblings were taken away one by one to loving homes Peggy remained unwanted, with families perhaps put off by her unique appearance.
She remained with her mother’s family for six months as they searched for a new home for her. Peggy’s luck finally changed when Holly Middleton, from East Yorkshire, came to take a look at the puppy no one wanted - and fell in love at first sight.
Mum of two Holly said: “We came across Peggy online at the end of 2018, she was six months old and the last remaining pup of an accidental litter. All the other pups had new homes but I imagine people looking at her saw nothing but a high maintenance dog and the possibility of health issues.
"We loved her the Instant we laid eyes on her with her big brown eyes, little tuft of white hair and her tongue lolling out to one side. I just felt sorry for her, sat there with no hair and her tongue out.
"She was six months old so I just felt like no one wanted her. We didn’t set out to get a quirky dog, an underdog. I hope it encourages people to overlook the little oddities of those dogs left on the shelf.
"Luckily Peggy is a completely healthy and happy dog, her tongue doesn’t cause her any issues, she can eat (and she really does love to eat) and drink with no problems, and other than having to wear jumpers for warmth in colder weather and sun cream in the summer she’s exactly the same as any other dog.
"Peggy had a phantom pregnancy within the first year of us having her and although she was fine and recovered fully, her body didn’t quite bounce back (it happens to the best of us) but I think this just adds to her quirky look.
"From the moment Peggy arrived, she's been a beloved addition to our family. She has grown up alongside our two boys and is the most loving, laid back and gentle dog we could ever ask for.
"She’s the best friend of my six year old, she’s been there since he was two so they are just thick as thieves. My eldest was a little bit embarrassed of her at first…but I think now she’s been on the telly and in the papers, he thinks she's cool.
"She’s a total creature of comfort and loves nothing more than snuggling up on the sofa under her blanket after a walk, although sometimes her loud snoring can be quite disruptive if we’re trying to watch something on TV.
"We entered Peggy to Britain's ugliest dog competition after multiple friends and family members told us she was probably in with a good chance.
"We tend to forget Peggy isn’t your standard looking dog and we are very aware some people would refer to Peggy as ugly, it’s always in a humorous way and we don’t take offence, and neither does she.
"Even though some people find Peggy’s unusual appearance strange, and in rare cases off putting and despite Peggy winning the ugliest dog in the uk title, we think she is beautiful both inside and out, and wouldn’t change her for the world.”
Chief judge and ParrotPrint founder Matt Dahan said: “We all absolutely adore Peggy. When we launched this contest I never once thought we’d find a dog like her who manages to be both ugly and so, so cute all at the same time.
"She is so loved by Holly and her family which is fantastic to see. We’re all really happy to name Peggy as the winner of our competition and we hope she enjoys her prize pamper session at the doggie spa, her photo session afterwards and Parrot Print canvas portrait.”
