Ugly dogs on the rise

After starting off the New Year here with a pug, I happened upon some canine-related news that should warm the hearts of lovers of ugly animals. According to kennel club statistics, the British are choosing fewer conventionally attractive breeds of dogs in favor of those that are unusual-looking and downright ugly.

Registration numbers for German Shepherds and golden retrievers, for example, are down 27% and 20%, and cute little Yorkies are down 32%, since 2001.

In contrast, pug registrations are up 557 per cent. And among the breeds rising fastest in popularity are the Mexican hairless and the Chinese crested - the latter famous for its dominance in the World's Ugliest Dog competition.

Other breeds that have gained in numbers are the wrinkly dogue de Bordeaux and the bat-eared Pharaoh Hound (above). Readers of this blog will no doubt enjoy the slideshow here of photos of some popular but not-conventionally-beautiful breeds.

It's good news, but I can't help but say it: We liked ugly animals before liking ugly animals was cool!

-Wombat (No Relation)