She was ugly, but that's what made her a winner. It's also how Yoda, the champion of the 2011 World's Ugliest Dog contest, will be remember by after passing away last Saturday. The 1.8 lb Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix-breed won first place at the contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in California. The scrappy 15-year-old pooch beat out 29 other competitors with her scraps of hair, hanging tongue and legs that mimicked a balding man's hairline.
According to her owner, Terry Schumacher, Yoda passed away in her sleep.
"Say a prayer today 4 my YODA...rest in peace 3-10-12," said Schumacher in an email regarding Yoda's passing. "She passed away last night in her sleep. I will miss her funny little ways! But comforted knowing she will be joining my Mom and Dad, who loved her so much! Her memories will live on forever!!!" reports the Hanford Sentinel.
While it was Schumacher who took Yoda to win the Californian dog show and the $1000 grand prize, it was actually his daughter who found the dog behind an apartment building. Schumacher at the time mistook the pooch for a rat.
Despite being deceased, Yoda will hold onto her title until the 2012 World's Ugliest Dog contest according to contest producer Vicki DeArmon.
If you thought Yoda was a little rough on the eyes, get a good look at these 10 unsightly creatures that could offer any W.U.D. champion some extra competition:
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The Huffington Post Canada | By Brian Vinh Tien Trinh Posted: 03/16/2012 4:28 pm