Pooches vie for title of 'Ugliest Dog' in Del Mar

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Sunday, March 11, 2007 9:18 PM PDT ∞

DEL MAR ---- Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That was the message El Cajon resident Bruna Palmatier wanted to send by entering her 4-year-old rescued Italian greyhound, Victoria, in Sunday's 12th annual Ugly Dog Contest at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

The fundraising event was hosted by the Del Mar Kiwanis Club and drew about 400 canine contestants and thousands of dog lovers from across San Diego County.

"I think she's beautiful," said Palmatier, as she held Victoria, a handicapped, nearly bald greyhound who is blind in her bulging right eye, has water in her brain and has a curved spine.

"I want to show everyone that just because she's not perfect, that doesn't mean she can't have a perfect life," said Palmatier, who was standing next to the contest stage, waiting for the judges to make their decision. "Any dog can be loved."

Palmatier said that while she doesn't think her dog is ugly, it was the only contest she could enter her in.

"Ugly is an unfortunate word," Palmatier said, after Victoria was crowned as "ugliest dog" for the second year in a row. "She's a winner. I absolutely adore this thing."

In addition to the ugly dog category, for $6 an entry, owners could enter their pooches in 13 other categories, including best St. Patrick's Day costume, cutest puppy, most beautiful/handsome dog, best trick, cutest dog, best mutt, best costume, most unusual marking, People's Choice dog and the dog that looks most like its owner.

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center's Therapeutic Riding Program, which offers weekly riding lessons for physically and cognitively challenged children and adults, and Rancho Coastal Humane Society's Animal Safehouse Program, which provides free shelter and care for pets whose owners are victims of domestic violence.

The annual gathering drew kudos from those who attended.

"It's a good event because it combines two causes that are important to me ---- kids and animals," said San Diego resident Mark Shaffer, whose 5-year-old Boston Terrier, Bandit, serves as the event's mascot.

Bandit rides on the seat of a miniature eggplant-colored Harley Davidson motorcycle and was clad Sunday in silver goggles, a bandana and a customized black leather jacket.

"He's like a local celebrity," said Shaffer, who owns a real Harley and usually dresses up in a matching leather jacket. In previous years, Bandit has won first place in the categories of dog that looks most like his owner, best costume and a People's Choice award, he added.

Among the winners in Sunday's contest was Oliver, a 3-year-old white-haired Chihuahua who took first place in the best St. Patrick's Day category. Owners Sharnelle and Jason Leblanc dressed up Oliver as the bartender of his own Irish pub, complete with miniature Guinness beer cans, four leaf clover place settings and a sign that read "Special: Green Beer $1," all arranged on a makeshift table on his back.

"He likes costumes and he's charismatic ... a ham for attention," said Jason Leblanc, adding that he and his wife entered the Oliver in the contest for the first time Sunday. "I'm proud of the little guy."

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com. Comment at nctimes.com.

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