Zsa Zsa, winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest, takes trip to New York

The slobbering, bulky bulldog who impressed ugly-dog judges in Petaluma took center stage as a guest on the 'Today' show in New York.|
HANNAH APPEL
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Meet Zsa Zsa, winner of the 2018 World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma. This adorably ugly pooch slobbered her way to victory ahead of 14 competitors.

This prestigious title doesn't come without its perks. Along with a $1,500 prize, the 9-year-old English bulldog and her owner, Megan Brainard, were welcomed Monday to the "Today" show studio in New York.

Like judges at the competition, the "Today" anchors quickly fell in love with Zsa Zsa's unique charm. Patting her head and poking fun at her lolling tongue, hosts quizzed Zsa Zsa's owners on the pup's road to success.

Zsa Zsa and her family traveled 30 hours from their home in Minnesota to compete in the Sonoma-Marin Fair's internationally acclaimed World's Ugliest Dog contest, according to "Today."

Brainard and her family found the self-proclaimed "messy" dog through PetFinder.com after the pooch had been rescued from a puppy mill, according to the interview. This fits with the contest's "adopt, don't shop" philosophy.

As Zsa Zsa and her family begin their victory lap back to Minnesota, this ugly pooch was proud to flash her toothy grin and hanging tongue on national television.

To watch Zsa Zsa's television debut, visit www.today.com/pets/meet-zsa-zsa-winner-world-s-ugliest-dog-contest-t131729.

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