PETS

Homely hounds compete to be crowned World's Ugliest Dog

AP
Quasi Modo, an eight-year-old mixed breed from Florida, walks across the stage during the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California on June 20, 2014. The World's Ugliest Dog will be chosen at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday. For 25 years, the contest has been a testament that all dogs do not have to meet AKC pedigree standards to be man’s (or woman’s) best friend.

PETALUMA, Calif. — He's overweight and has a birth defect that left him a bit hunchbacked.

Quasi Modo is a 10-year-old pit bull-Dutch shepherd mix who was leading the World's Ugliest Dog contest, with nearly 10,000 votes by Friday. He was far ahead of No. 2 Morris, a mix who looks a little like a pig with a spiky haircut and has garnered more than 5,000 votes.

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The two are among 27 dogs vying for the title of homeliest hound, which has been given to a pooch in the small California coastal town of Petaluma for decades.

Dogs have arrived from as far as Florida, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona to compete in a contest that applauds imperfections.

It will award $1,500 to the winner Friday night at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds.