Ugly dogs return for annual Northern California contest

In this June 23, 2017, file photo, Martha, a Neapolitan Mastiff, competes in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Martha was the 2017 winner of the event. Dogs with hairless bodies and lolling tongues will flaunt their imperfections, as they compete to win the contest in the San Francisco Bay Area. The event is taking place on Saturday, June 23, 2018, this year at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, a departure from previous years when it was held on Friday. Organizers said they wanted more people to attend. AP FILE

PETALUMA, California, United States — Dogs with hairless bodies and lolling tongues will flaunt their imperfections as they compete to win the 2018 World’s Ugliest Dog contest in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The event is taking place Saturday this year at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, a departure from previous years when it was held on Friday. Organizers say they wanted more people to attend.

This year’s dogs include a blackhead-covered Chinese Crested-Dachshund mutt and a bulldog mix with excess wrinkly skin.

The dogs walk down a red carpet and are evaluated by a panel of judges. The winner takes home $1,500.

Last year’s winner was a 125-pound (57-kilogram) gentle giant named Martha — a Neopolitan Mastiff with gas and a droopy face. /cbb