Petaluma, Jun 25 : Yoda's short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs were enough to earn her the World's Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair.
The 14-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix won the dubious honour at the 23rd annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair, beating almost 50 aesthetically challenged canines to the title.
Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, California says the two-pound (0.9-kilogram) dog has come a long way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building.
Schumacher said at first she thought the dog was a rat.
Yoda's distinction comes a year after a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby claimed victory.
A pedigree Chinese crested won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was the ugliest in 2007.
The winner's owner received a 1,000 US dollar cheque.
