Zsa Zsa the English bulldog drools her way to World’s Ugliest Dog crown

Zsa Zsa, an English bulldog, drools while competing in The World's Ugliest Dog Competition in Petaluma, north of San Francisco, California on June 23, 2018. Josh Edelson/AFP

PETALUMA, California — With a lolling tongue and a propensity to drool, English bulldog Zsa Zsa won best in show at World's Ugliest Dog competition in Petaluma, California.

Zsa Zsa, sporting a hot pink collar and matching nails for her moment in the spotlight, came out on top of a tough field of fourteen.

The nine-year-old Zsa Zsa came from a hardscrabble background, spending five years in a puppy mill in the US state of Missouri and being sold at auction before she attained ugliest dog immortality.

Other competitors included Rascal Deux, a Chinese Crested who wore sunglasses and a leopard print coat to cover hairless skin, and Wild Thang, a Pekingese all but hidden by a mass of fluffy hair.

Martha, the jowly Neapolitan Mastiff who took first place in the competition the previous year, was on hand to pass the baton to Zsa Zsa, whose winnings include a trophy, $1,500 and an appearance on NBC's Today Show in New York. — Agence France-Presse