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)
Hey buddy, what's with the long face?
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the slideshow but have to admit that every dog in it are the ones that would be on my most beautiful list. The only one missing is the English Bulldog. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWell of course they are - that's why you read this blog!
ReplyDeleteUgly animals have the best personalities.
ReplyDeleteThe angle on the Pharaoh Hound shot is weird. This dog is actually a classic sighthound. The long face fits perfectly well on a long, streamlined body that can run like the wind. Historically, sighthounds were the original models for 'beautiful' in dogs. The name "Pharaoh Hound" was given because there are many depictions of a very similar dog in Egyptian royal tombs.
ReplyDeleteWhat that goes to show is that the modern idea of beauty is much, much lamer than that of our ancestors.
ReplyDeleteNow why would ANYONE pick an ugly dog over the adorable Shih Tzu? Go figger...
ReplyDelete