As a dog enthusiast, I've always gotten a chuckle out of the annual Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, California.  Lately though,  I've noticed that Chinese Crested Dogs have been winning with the same frequency that Kenyans win the Boston Marathon and Kansans win hog calling contests.  This year's winner is a Crested  from St. Petersburg named Gus.

Associated Press

The Chinese Crested is the canine world's answer to Johnny Rotten, with their scrawny, hairless bodies and spiky mohawk hairdos. They so dominate ugly dog contests around the world that the competition has come down to choosing the most decrepit specimen of an already sketchy looking breed.  Unfortunately, that involves dogs that are not just ugly-they're sick and maimed. Poor old Gus lost a leg to skin cancer and an eye in a catfight. Past winners have been at the very end of their life spans. Gus's owner is no doubt a compassionate pet owner, but is that fair? If grievous injury and disease score points dog with the judges, what's to keep someone from bringing in a dog that's in pain or near death?  I say all entrants should be as healthy as a Westminster entrant and be able to parade their nasty selves with pride.