by The owner of the recently crowned ugliest dog in Britain has stated that four-year-old Peggy is “beautiful both inside and out”.
Peggy, believed to be a Pug and Chinese Crested cross – or Pugese – belongs to Holly Middleton of Leven, near Hornsea, in East Yorkshire.
The contest organizers said, “We never thought we’d discover a star, but that’s exactly what happened.”
She is now getting a grooming session and professional photo shoot.
Ms Middleton, 36, said friends and family had told them that Peggy “had a good chance” when they entered her into the contest run by photo printing firm Parrot Print.
“We tend to forget that Peggy isn’t your standard looking dog and we are well aware that some people would call Peggy ugly,” she said.
“It’s always in a humorous way and we don’t take offense, and neither do they.
“While some people find Peggy’s unusual appearance strange and on rare occasions off-putting, and despite Peggy winning the UK’s ugliest dog title, we think she is beautiful both inside and out and wouldn’t want her for anything in the world change.” .”
Peggy was one of seven dogs to enter the competition and Parrot Print said she “got it all”.
“We never thought we’d discover a star – but that’s exactly what happened when Peggy entered the competition.”
The company said the judges never had any doubts about who would be the winner.
“We all love Peggy,” said Matt Dahan, founder of ParrotPrint.
“When we launched this competition, I never thought we would find a dog like her that is both ugly and so cute at the same time.
“She is so loved by Holly and her family, which is great to see.”
Ms Middleton has previously explained how she adopted Peggy online in late 2018 when she was the last remaining pup of an accidental litter.
“We loved her the moment we saw her with her big brown eyes, little tuft of white hair and her tongue hanging to one side. I just felt sorry for her, sitting there without her and her tongue out.”
She hoped Peggy’s win would encourage people to overlook the “little quirks of those dogs left on the shelf”.
“From the moment Peggy arrived, she has been a beloved addition to our family.
“She grew up alongside our two boys and is the most loving, laid back and gentle dog we could ever wish for.”
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