You could say Martha is a rather cheeky gal.
That is, the jowly 3-year-old Neapolitan mastiff has some remarkably expansive cheeks — so expansive, in fact, they droop practically to her knees and flap like slobbery wings when she shakes her head.
And now, they’ve earned Martha a prestigious honor: the title of world’s ugliest dog.
The sheer cheekiness of Martha becomes apparent as her owner, Shirley Zindler, gives her mug a tug. Martha took home the title of World’s Ugliest Dog on Friday. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
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Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
The sheer cheekiness of Martha becomes apparent as her owner, Shirley Zindler, gives her mug a tug. Martha took home the title of World’s Ugliest Dog on Friday.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Martha won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, Calif., beating out 13 other very homely pups to claim the crown on Friday. Besides the honor of the title, Martha also gets a trophy, a $1,500 prize and a flight to New York City for “media appearances,” according to contest organizers.
In winning, Martha also earned another — one might say greater — honor: her place enshrined on an illustrious list of champions that dates back nearly three decades.
“We’re proud to celebrate all dogs and pets by showing that no matter their imperfections, they are adoptable, lovable and a great addition to any family,” says Erin Post, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Fair, where the contest is held.
Now here’s the glamour shot: Martha at rest in the grass. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
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Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Now here’s the glamour shot: Martha at rest in the grass.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Martha hasn’t always been showered with laurels. In fact, as The Associated Press reports, the 125-pound giant has overcome some desperate straits:
“The dog, from nearby Sebastopol, was rescued when she was nearly blind from neglect by the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project in Sonoma County, where the contest was held. After several surgeries, she can now see again, [handler Shirley] Zindler said.”
Some took umbrage with the word “ugly” in Martha’s title — she’s “stunning,” at least according to one prominent onlooker.
But it was clear from the start that Martha bore the easy confidence of a champion.
The wire service says the judges and the crowd fell in love immediately with her lumbering charms — even if she was a little less than impressed with them, “often plopping down on her side on stage with her droopy face spread across the ground when she was supposed to be showing off.”
Martha’s handler, Shirley Zindler, expresses shock at her pup’s confident plop, mid-competition. Eric Risberg/AP hide caption
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Eric Risberg/AP
Don’t let Martha’s lackadaisical confidence fool you, though: The greats often make it look easy, no matter how tough the competition.
And the competition was indeed formidable — as you can see below.
Proof the contest could get fierce: Chase, a Chinese crested, delivers an intimidating stare during competition Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Rascal, another Chinese crested, clearly views competitors with a healthy dose of skepticism. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Rascal, another Chinese crested, clearly views competitors with a healthy dose of skepticism.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Miriam Tcheng holds Moe, while Moe demonstrates his considerable disdain for all those who can’t compete with his tongue. Still, Moe had to settle for second place. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
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Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images
Miriam Tcheng holds Moe, while Moe demonstrates his considerable disdain for all those who can’t compete with his tongue. Still, Moe had to settle for second place.
Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images