Quasi Modo steals hearts and barks at World’s Ugliest Dog Contest

Clearly the crowd favorite from the start, Quasi Modo stole the hearts of the judges and the ultimate title of “Ugly” at the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 26.

According to his biography on the contest’s website, the 10-year-old pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix breed was abandoned at an animal shelter in Florida because of his strange looks. He has multiple birth defects in his spine and his back is too short for the rest of his body. Luckily for him, one of the veterinarians looked beyond the dog with a missing back half and saw a lovable canine.

In spite of his physical problems, Quasi still runs and plays. He even “worked the crowd” before the contest by wandering over to people for hugs and pets.

Right from the start, Quasi Modo earned hearty cheers and chants of approval from the hundreds of audience members who came to ooh, ahh and gawk at the more than 20 homely hounds who paraded before the judges at this year’s contest. Two Chinese crested and Chihuahua mixes named Sweepee Rambo and Frodo took the second- and third-place prizes, respectively.

An 8-year-old Chihuahua named Precious received the “spirit award,” honoring a dog and owner who have overcome obstacles and/or are providing service to the community. Precious, who is blind in one eye, is trained to monitor smells related to low blood sugar levels and alert her owner, a disabled veteran, of the problem, her biography said.

This was Quasi’s second time competing in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. And he wasn’t the only repeat contender. Rascal, Isaboo and Icky were among several return competitors.

Now an international star with a $1,500 cash prize, Quasi Modo will be whisked off this weekend to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and the Today Show.

To learn more and see pictures of all the contestants, visit sonoma-marinfair.org.