Calif: Martha is big, ugly, lazy and gassy. And a world champion.
In a competition annually dominated by the old, the tiny, and the hairless, the 3-year-old, 125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff used her lollygagging youth to win the 29th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest.
She was a favorite of the Northern California crowd from the start, often plopping down on her side on stage with her droopy face spread across the ground when she was supposed to be showing off. The judges didn't even need to hear her signature snore to give her the award.
Martha, a Neapolitan mastiff, competes while being escorted by Shirley Zindler in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. Martha was named the winner of the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
"Do you know you just won the World's Ugliest Dog Contest?" asked Kerry Sanders of NBC News, one of three judges who gave Martha the crown. Her handler Shirley Zindler answered for her: "I'd gloat, but I need a nap."
Martha lumbered away with $1,500, a flashy trophy and a trip to New York for media appearances, all things she could hardly care less about.
The dog, from nearby Sebastopol, was rescued when she was nearly blind from neglect by the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project in Sonoma County, where the contest was held. After several surgeries, she can now see again, Zindler said.
Shirley Zindler, of Sebastopol, Calif., reacts after her dog Martha, a Neapolitan mastiff, won the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. At right is judge Kerry Sanders. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
The only animal in this year's contest too big to be held by her handler, Martha beat out 13 other dogs, most of them the kind of older, smaller dogs who win here.
Moe, a 16-year-old Brussels Griffon-pug mix from Santa Rosa, California, who was the oldest in the competition, came in second. He had lost his hearing and sight but his sense of smell is strong and he was enjoying all the smells at the Sonoma-Marin Fair where the contest is held, including funnel cakes and other fried goodies.
Chase, a 14-year-old Chinese Crested-Harke mix, came all the way from Neath, United Kingdom to take third place.
The contestants were judged on first impressions, unusual attributes, personality and audience reaction.
Shirley Zindler, of Sebastopol, Calif., sits with her dog Martha, a Neapolitan mastiff, who won the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 23, 2017.(AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Many of the contestants were adopted. Monkey, a 6-year-old Brussels Griffon, and Icky, an 8-year-old unknown breed, were both rescued from the homes of hoarders.
These dogs - some with acne, others with tongues permanently sticking out - are used to getting called ugly. But for their owners, it was love at first sight.
"He's my sexy boy," Vicky Adler, of Davis, California, said of her 8-year-old Chinese Crested named Zoomer.
Check out pictures of Martha and her friends below
Icky, left, an unknown hairless, and Zoomer, right, a Chinese crested, both from Davis, Calif., wait to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Martha, a Neapolitan mastiff, competes while being escorted by Shirley Zindler in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. Martha was named the winner of the contest. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Rascal, left, a Chinese Crest, held by Dane Andrew of Sunnyvale, Calif., meets Chase, right, a Chinese Crested Harke, held by Storm Shayler, right, of Britain, before the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Dane Andrew of Sunnyvale, Calif., holds up his dog, Rascal, a Chinese crested, before the start of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Moe, a Brussel griffon pug, from Santa Rosa, Calif., waits to compete in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Martha, a Neapolitan mastiff, stands on stage after winning the World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair on Friday, June 23, 2017, in Petaluma, Calif. Martha is owned by Shirley Zinder, of Sebastopol, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
