Pooches compete for title of ‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ (Video)

Cyndy Loo (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Sophia (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Scamp (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Samson (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Rue (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Reggie (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Rascal (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Prince Abby (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Poloka (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Monkey Man (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Josie (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Isaboo (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Icky (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Grovie (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Eleanor (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

**Ugly Dog Contest** Grovie, a 10-year-old pug, waits to compete in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Creature (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Chupee (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Addison (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

Ellie Mae (Photo courtesy World's Ugliest Dog 庐 Contest, Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, California)

**Ugliest Dog Contest** Isaboo poses for a portrait while competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugliest Dog Contest** Walle poses for a portrait while competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. The 4-year-old beagle, boxer and bassett hound mix went on to win top honors. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugliest Dog Contest** Rascal poses for a portrait while competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugliest Dog Contest** Roman poses for a portrait while competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugliest Dog Contest** Penny poses for a portrait while competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugly Dog Contest** Held by owner Jon Adler, Icky, a 3-year-old Chinese Crested, competes in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugly Dog Contest** Walle, 4-year-old mix of beagle, boxer and basset hound, celebrates after winning top honors in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugly Dog Contest** Isaboo, a 7-year-old Chinese Crested, basks in the sun after competing in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. Isaboo won third place in the mutt category. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

**Ugly Dog Contest** Penny, a 12-year-old pure bred pug, waits with owner James Montgomery to compete in the 25th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 21, 2013, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

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WASHINGTON – They’re so ugly they’re cute.

Or not.

The World’s Ugliest Dog contest kicks off Friday in California as part of the Dog Lover’s Festival at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the event, and out of the nearly 30 pooches in the running, a Chinese crested hairless named Ellie Mae and a Chinese crested/Japanese Chin mix named Squiggy appear to be the public’s favorites so far.

However, while voting for your favorite ugly dog may be fun, that’s all it’s for — the actual winner is determined by a panel of judges.

Still, you can vote , and see some of the contestants in the gallery to the right and in the video below.

Prizes for the top dog include $1,500 and a photo session.

As a reminder, whether your dog is cute or ugly, you can submit its photo to our

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