World's Ugliest Dog contest in Los Angeles

Elwood, a two-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, has been crowned the world's ugliest dog. The mutt won the award on Friday, at the annual ugly dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair in California.

The distinction delighted the dog's owner, Karen Quigley, from New Jersey. She told AP Television Elwood should not be judged on his looks alone.

"After you spend a couple minutes with him, you love him so much. His personality is lovable. He's always been lovable. People just adore him. And they they just, everybody tells me he's cute. So he goes from ugly to cute in a matter of minutes. And that's the best part for us," she said.

Quigley brought Elwood out to compete for the second year at the contest. Last year, he came second.

Quigley rescued Elwood two years ago from a breeder who she claimed was going to euthanise the dog because she thought he was too ugly to sell.

The little dog weighs six pounds (2.7 kilos) and has no fur, apart from a white, mohawk-like tuft that sprouts from his forehead.

The puff of white fur has led to him being referred to as "Yoda" or "ET" - for his resemblance to those famous science fiction characters.

Elwood shakes and trembles a lot, but that mostly due to excitement, and his tongue permanently sticks out the toothless left side of his mouth.

Most of the canines competing on Friday were also Chinese Crested, a breed that features a mohawk, bug eyes and a long, wagging tongue.

Beyond the regal title of ugliest dog, Elwood also earned a one thousand US dollars reward for his owner.