Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEET PEANUT.

Source: AP

Peanut is now officially the ugliest dog in the world.

Source: AP

Peanut is a two-year-old whose wild white and brown hair, bulging eyes and protruding teeth belie his “sweet, energetic personality”.

He was crowned victor of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluna, California yesterday.

Source: AP

For Peanut’s owners, there’s a heartwarming story behind his victory.

Peanut was badly burned as a puppy, resulting in bald patches all over his body. His owner Holly Chandler says she hopes his win will help raise awareness of animals who are abused – and plans to use the $1,500 prize to pay other animals’ vet bills.

Here’s another contestant, Zoomer:

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

The dogs are scored by a three-judge panel in several categories, including special or unusual attributes, personality and natural ugliness.

The past five winners have included a duck-footed beagle, boxer and basset hound mix with a waddle, a Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix with a protruding tongue and short tufts of hair and a Chihuahua with a missing eye and a camel’s back.

Disappointed candidates this year included Sweepee Rambo:

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Icky:

Source: AP

Quasi Modo:

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Josie:

Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS

And Grovie:

Source: AP

More: The world’s ugliest dog 2007 has died>

Worst in Show: The documentary about the contest>