With a punk hairstyle and his tongue permanently hanging from his muzzle, “Happy Face” was named the ugliest dog in the world, during a competition organized in Petaluma, California.

The 17-year-old Chinese Crested dog beat nine other competitors on Friday in the decades-old annual competition.

The champion was adopted last year during the coronavirus pandemic by a 41-year-old musician from Arizona, Jeneda Benally.

She said that at the kennel she was told about an elderly dog ​​with health problems.

“The kennel staff tried to prepare me for what I was about to see. I saw a creature that was indeed old, needed a second chance and deserved to be loved,” the proud owner said.

Vets had warned that due to health issues, the dog could only live for a few weeks.

But “mom’s love, kindness and kisses helped” him overcome those issues, Ms Benally added.

"His hobbies include sleeping, snoring, moaning in his sleep and making weird sounds when he's happy," she explained.

“This world-renowned event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique,” ​​organizers said.