That's Random: The Worlds' Ugliest Dog Contest

Remember Elwood, the reigning Ugliest Dog in the World? Elwood is facing down 15 of the homeliest pooches on the planet for the dubious title during the 20th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest.

I'm noting a theme here: Hairless Chinese Cresteds. (Will someone please explain to me why these dogs exist? They look like mutant rats.)

Still, the contest organizers take pains to point out that each contestant is dearly loved by his or her owner, and that the contest is all in good fun. In fact, like the challengers in other beauty competitions, many of the entrants have "platforms" -- raising awareness about canine cancer, for instance -- and the winner typically serves as an ambassador for an animal-related good cause during his or her reign.

The Ugliest Dog will be crowned at next month's Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California. Until then, you can vote for your favorite physiognomically-challenged pooch right here.

But I'm sorry -- if Pee Wee Martini (above) doesn't scamper away with the prize, then this contest is fixed.

That's Random: The World's Ugliest Dog

Every year, the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California crowns a physiognomically-challenged canine with the dubious title of World's Ugliest Dog.

This year's winner: Elwood, a rescued Chinese Crested-Chihauahua mix from New Jersey.

Elwood may be homely beyond words, but his owner says he's beautiful on the inside. The Yoda lookalike puts his sparkling personality to work as a Good Will Ambassador for homeless and special-needs animals in his home state.

(Photo by Deanne Fitzmaurice, San Francisco Chronicle.)