When choosing a dog for a pet, looks don't matter.
For three years in a row, Sam, a purebred Chinese Crested Hairless won the World's Ugliest Dog contest. After his passing last year, Archie, another Chinese Crested won the competition. And now, Elwood, a two year old rescued Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix from New Jersey has taken the 2007 title. What is it about Chinese Cresteds that people find ugly? Other breeds could be classified as ugly but most people use the phrase, "so ugly they're cute" when describing such breeds as the Pug, the English Bulldog, or the Sharpei. So what is it with the Chinese Cresteds? Although the Powderpuff variety with long flowing locks can be born within the same litter as the Hairless, I would guess that it's the lack of hair which tends to magnify any skin flaws, that makes some folks roll up their lip and exclaim, "EWWWW!" However, the positive message from this less-than-classy contest is that love comes from the heart and has nothing to do with looks. I highly suspect that when Karen Quigley, Elwood's "mom",looks at him, she sees something different than the rest of the world sees. Ugly dogs, like ugly babies, have doting mothers who love them and don't know they're ugly! When choosing a dog for a pet, looks don't matter. Even breed is not all that important. I recommend you spend some time with the dog first,. Get to know him. Look into his eyes and search for whatever it is that makes him, him. That way you'll appreciate his little quirks and recognize when the chemistry is right. And when you combine chemistry with committment, you'll have one of the best friends ever! Right, Karen?
