World's ugliest dog - we have a winner

This is Peanut, and we're not just being mean. There was a competition, and he won a prize.

The World's Ugliest Dog has been named as two-year-old Peanut from Greenville, North Carolina.

Bless us and save us, but that is one ugly hound.

Peanut was crowned Best (or worst) In Show at the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest in the US this weekend, when mutts with unusually large heads, hairless bodies and other oddities compete for the odd honour ( and for the $1,500 cash prize).

Peanut’s owner, Holly Chandler of Greenville, North Carolina, says he was seriously burned as a puppy and she wants to use her pet to raise awareness about animal abuse.

She plans to use Peanut's prize to pay for other animals’ vet bills.

The contest, held at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California, is in its 26th year.

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

Meanwhile, what could be worse than being the world's ugliest dog?

Maybe being the runner-up…

The saddest title of all: second place in the world's ugliest dog contest (Photo: Peter DaSilva/EPA) pic.twitter.com/BmARsYN9ir

— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) June 21, 2014