Staring The New Worlds Ugliest Dog Yoda

1.8 Pound Mutt Claims the 2011 World's Ugliest Dog (R) Title at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma Tonight
Acclaimed contest has a new winner in a 1.8 pound mutt named Yoda. Yoda claims prize from a field of 29. Owner claims she first thought he was a rat, before learning otherwise and making him a family pet.



1.8 Pound Mutt Claims World’s Ugliest Dog ® Title for 2011 at The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma

A 1.8 pound mutt from California took the 23rd annual World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma tonight, taking the title from a field of 29 contestants of questionable beauty. The packed crowd settled on Yoda in the mutt round and she quickly sailed past the Ring of Champions to win.

Her owner, Terry Devine Schumacher, is from Hanford, California, and said the dog was found by her daughter in a field when she was two, “I told her to put it down because I thought it was a rat.” However they soon learned otherwise and the dog has been in the family now for 14 years.

Her irregular features, scruffy fur, especially between her toes and tiny stance made her a crowd favorite. Favorites coming into the contest were Icky, Cuda, Handsome Hector, Ratdog.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair allowed the audience a vote this year via text (ala American Idol) and Yoda quickly skyrocketed to the top of the text voting. The judges concurred and a new winner was named.

Yoda wins a trophy 15 times her size and $1,000 as this year’s winner. She also receives a photo shoot with Kira Stackhouse of Nuena Photography and a pampered overnight stay in the luxurious Loft Suite at the Sheraton Sonoma County. In addition, most dogs enjoy fame as the World’s Ugliest Dog ®, hitting the talk show circuit and become a star at local dog events.

The Sonoma-Marin Fair recently trademarked the name World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest which has received worldwide acclaim. In 2009, the announcement of the winner was named the top third story in the world following a speech by President Obama and Michael Jackson’s death.