All language subtitles for Worlds.Ugliest.Pets.2018.WEBRip.XviD.MP3-XVID

- Poppy!

Pop!

Poppy!

[upbeat music]

I'm an animal lover, as
you can probably tell.

I've got five dogs, six
cats, seven chickens.

I occasionally keep pigs
and sheep, and even turkeys.

I think all of my animals
are absolutely beautiful,

even that one.

But not all animals
are drop-dead gorgeous.

In their world, as in the human
world,

there's the good, the bad, and
the ugly.

Don't bring it near me, will
you?

I want to go out into the world

and find out who deliberately
has ugly animals,

and whether or not they're
as adorable as mine,

or is beauty very much in
the eye of the beholder?

What an earth do you
see in a pet like that?

On my journey I'll be meeting a
whole host

of quirky creatures.

The next section does contain
some nudity.

And getting to know
the people who champion

these underdogs, cats, rats.

♪ Fa, la, la

And all manner of aesthetically
challenged animals.

- I do like to just
sit and watch them eat.

- [Caroline] My adventure
will reach its climax

at the annual mecca for
mutt-ugly animals,

the World's Ugliest Dog
Contest, in America.

- I like him being ugly.

- [Caroline] But I'm not going
alone.

Anybody got any ugly dogs?

I'm looking for a
fabulously ugly British dog

to take along and claim the
title.

You've got a very funny face!
[laughing]

As I explore the beauty in the
beast.

Poppy, come on, come on.

Clever dog, yeah.

The first step on my journey of
discovery

is a visit to a VIP member
of the ugly pet community.

I'm on my way to meet
Bev, and her dog Mugly.

Mugly won the World's
Ugliest Dog Competition,

in America, in 2012.

I want to see Mugly and see
exactly how high the bar is set.

13-year-old Mugly, who
was abandoned as a puppy

because of his quirky looks,

is the only Brit ever to
claim the ugly dog prize.

[door knocking]
I'm hoping owner Bev

will be giving me some tips.

- Hello.
- Bev.

- Yes. [laughs]
- Hi, hello,

lovely to meet you.

Caroline.

And lovely to meet you.
- This is Mugly.

- How do you do Mugly, how do
you do.

Hello Mugly.
[Bev laughing]

Hello Mugly.

He is an extraordinary looking
dog.

- He is extraordinary
altogether. [chuckles]

- What sort of dog is he?

- He's a Chinese Crested.

- [Caroline] Can I come
and have a look at you?

- Yes, come and have a look.
- Thank you.

[Bev laughs]

- Here it is, "The World's
Ugliest Dog."

It's quite something this.
How did it feel to win?

- We kind of entered it
in a very British way.

You know, "Yeah, we're just
here,

"we'll just enter him, it's no
problem."

And it was only when the
presenter
said the Brit has won it,

that I just thought this is
overwhelming,

'Cause all the press
jumps up on the stage,

and it's all very intense.

It didn't really sink in until
the next day, I don't think.

- People are very
peculiar about ugly pets.

Do people react strongly to
Mugly?

- Oh, very definitely.

We get two reactions, really.

One would be, "Oh, he's really
cute."

But the rest of it is he looks
like a rat,

he's like elephant skin,
they're the nicer ones.

- But it's very interesting,

because I have that reaction
to come other sorts of animals.

I'm the same about rats and
maybe snakes.

So I kind of recognise the
instinct

to be slightly repelled by
something.

But I'm trying to overcome that
in myself

and I'm hoping I'm going
to encourage other people

to overcome that in themselves
too

and to look at dogs like
Mugly with a fresh eye,

and see them who he is.

- That's the whole focus of
the competition, over there.

It's all about finding rescue
dogs

that don't look cute and fluffy,

and that are a little bit
unusual.

[upbeat music]

- [Caroline] The World's
Ugliest Dog Contest

has been held in California
for over 40 years.

- I have to tell you that
a Brit has won it, Mugly.

[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]

- [Caroline] Previous title
holders include Yoda, Peanut

and the competition's
most famous winner, Sam,

who scooped the prize
three years on the trot,

and is widely credited with
being

the ugliest dog of all time.

Let's get back to our British
champ

and his extensive collection of
clothes.

- This is just part of Mugly's
wardrobe.

[Caroline Laughs]

- [Caroline] He's got
more clothes than I have

- Yeah, and me.

This is his Mardi Gras outfit.

[Caroline laughs]
[gentle music]

- He could do panto in
that costume. [laughing]

- Couldn't he. [laughs]

This is Ronald McDonald.

It does have a red
curly wig to go with it.

- [laughter] Kimonos for a dog.

- We have it in every colour.
- That's hilarious.

How much would that cost you?

- That was about 25.

[Caroline gasps]
And so was that.

- 25?
- Yeah.

- [Caroline] You've got
hundreds of pounds worth of--

- [Bev] Thousands, thousands.

- Thousands of pounds worth?

- Of course, Mugly
carries it off very well.

[upbeat music]

- Come on Aladdin. [laughing]

Along with her beloved Mugly,

Bev has four other unique
looking dogs.

Come on now old Muggers.

Come on up, up Mugly.

Oh, Mugly don't be jealous
of your darling friends.

How have you ended up with all
these

Chinese Crested dogs, Bev?

- Well Mugly was the beginning.

They're all rescues.

[dog barking]

Shh, shh.

- Look at that tail! [laughing]

I would have thought I'd have
found that

absolutely disgusting but
actually its really sweet,

'cause it's quite ratty as a
tail.

And I don't like rats but
that's a sweet little tail.

Well I'm a convert.

Honestly, I would never have
dreamt in a million years

I'd ever be sitting with a bald
dog,

but honestly, I really get it.

I'm genuinely amazed,

I didn't think I was
gonna like them at all.

[upbeat music]

This year's contest is
in a few weeks' time,

so I've got to get a move on
to find a new British champion.

I've put a shout-out on social
media

and I'm scouring the
country for a pug-ugly pet

that might fit the bill.

I'm going to America to
something called

the World's Ugliest Dog
Competition.

So, I'm looking for what
you'd call an ugly dog.

- To find someone who would
describe their own pet

as ugly, probably few and far
between

Dog shows usually feature
perfect and primped pooches.

I'm going to gate crash one of
these shows

and stage a rival event,

with some motley mutts who
wouldn't usually get a look in.

I'll call it Britain's Ultimate
Underdog.

Now what I need to do
is to find a dog show

that's happening somewhere
not too far away.

[gentle music]

Hi, is that Matt?

Steve, sorry, hello, hi.

My name's Caroline Quentin.

Yeah.

Yes, off the telly. [laughs]

No, it is really me.

No, it is really me.

I've got a favour to ask you.

It's a bit odd, but I want
to stage my own dog show.

Can I email you?

Thanks.

I will do.

Bye-bye.

He didn't believe it was me,
but I'm going to email him.

'Cause it is me.

[upbeat music]

Around half of us Brits own a
pet

and scientists believe that
we're drawn

to cute and cuddly creatures
because their wide eyes

and symmetrical features
remind us of human babies.

[baby gurgles]

Animals who don't make the
grade in the looks department

are the ones who are
abandoned or left in shelters.

In a perfect world, we would
love

all creatures, great and small.

So, in my mission to understand

why people keep ugly
animals, I'm going to face

one of my greatest fears.

I've come to meet Ashleigh,

she has got a wide variety of
animals,

most of which have been
literally left

on the shelf at the pet shop,

but she's taken them in
because she loves them.

Ashleigh also has a great
fondness

for something I can't
abide, and that's rodents.

But better still, Ashleigh
loves hairless rodents.

[gentle music]

Wish me luck.

Ashleigh.

Ooh, hang on, I'll come to you.

Sorry this is not a very nice
way to say hello to somebody,

but [groans].

Oh God.

Ashleigh, what are you thinking?

That's a guinea pig isn't it?

Yeah, she's a hairless guinea
pig.

- Hairless guinea pigs
are a genetic mutation.

The first skinny pig was
created in Canada, in 1978.

Their eyes are pink, due
to a lack of pigmentation.

Ooh, it's looking at me.

[Nudey squeaking]

- [Ashleigh] This is Nudey.

- Is Nudey expecting more guinea
pigs.

- [Ashleigh] She is, yes.

- I can see those guinea
pigs moving about inside her.

What on earth do you
set in a pet like that?

- People hate red eyed animals,

they think that they're all
evil.

She most certainly is not, she's
lovely.

- [Caroline] Do you love her?

- [Ashleigh] Yeah, of course

- Wow, that's not a good-looking
animal.

[gentle music]

The moment I've been dreading.

That's a rat isn't it?

Is that a rat?

Ooh, I'm really gonna struggle
with this.

Like skinny pigs, hairless
rats are specially bred.

Time to come face to face
with my biggest fear.

I'm really nervous about this,
oh my God.

Don't bring it near me, will
you?

♪ Fa la la

Oh my God, okay, please don't
let it run at me will you?

- [Ashleigh] She won't.

- [Caroline] Promise?

- [Ashleigh] Yeah.

[gentle music]

- Slowly does it.

This is just a baby rat.

Wow.

Unbelievably, I think that
animal has quite a nice face.

I'm pretty impressed with
myself at the moment.

I would be grateful if you
didn't let her come on me,

but, ooh, she's quite scampery
now.

- [Ashleigh] They like to sit.

- [Caroline] She won't
jump off onto me will she?

- [Ashleigh] No.
- Promise?

- Promise, yeah.

They like to sit in your neck
and in pockets and things.

They love to do that.

- I mean that is a sweet
face looking at me now.

I don't love her, but maybe
what I'm discovering here

is that the fear is
genuinely of the unknown,

because the longer I watch
her doing her behaviours,

the less repulsive she is to me.

[upbeat music]

So many prejudices are
based on lack of knowledge,

aren't they?

- [Ashleigh] Yeah.

- She sneezed!

I'm not ready to give
her a cuddle, just yet.

I'm a bit thrilled because I
think I am one step further

on my personal journey.

I may yet come to love
rodents in the same way that

Ashleigh loves all
creatures great and small.

And a little bit nibbly.

[parrot squawking]

The internet is packed with
videos

of people with their pets.

[upbeat music]

Moggies top the charts
with two million films,

featuring cute cats.

But not all felines
are the fluffy variety.

[cat growls]

I'm meeting 41-year-old
Hampshire hairdresser, Linda.

A lover of Sphynx cats.

She's got three of them.

They don't have an ounce
of fur between them.

You're a hairdresser, why
do you like hairless cats

- I can't stand hair.

I'm allergic to furry cats.

- [Caroline] Hence you having
naked cats.

- It's just less hassle,
you know what I mean?

The worst thing is you
go to get your dinner

and you've got a plate and
there's hair all over it.

That's the one thing.
- Yes, indeed.

[gentle music]

Like other fur-free pets,

these cats have incredibly
sensitive skin

and have to be slathered
in high-factor sunscreen

if they go outside.

I've got to be honest, I've
not met one before now.

Immediately on the eye, they're
quite shocking actually.

- They are at first, yeah.

I've got a few friends that are
just like,

"Get it off me, get it off me."

- Is that people that don't like
cats,

generally?
- No, they like cats,

but it's just the whole
thought of it being hairless.

They're like, "No."

They're my hot water bottles at
night.

This one lays on my chest,
this one lays on my legs

and this ones at my feet.
[laughs]

- They they do feel quite
velvety.

- They're velvety and just
really lovely

and warm and cuddly.

- When you first meet them
it's slightly unpleasant

because you can see
every bone, you can see--

- I think the worst bit is
it's their bum. [laughs]

- Well, I was about to say,
you can see their anus.

- Put the arse away

[upbeat music]

- [Caroline] How do people
react when they see them?

- They're like, "What is it?"

"It's a Sphynx."

And they're like, "Oh my God."

- [Caroline] Do you think
the British are too reserved

to actually go [groans].

- Oh no, I've got friends
have gone [groans]. [laughs]

- Really?
- "Get it off me." [laughs]

He's really taken to you.

No, you're not having him.
[laughs]

- Nice little cat.

[gentle upbeat music]

Ooh, what's that?

- Oh, that's Calisie on her
wheel.

- [Caroline] Why do cats
need an exercise wheel?

- [Linda] These ones don't go
outside

- [Caroline] She likes it!

- If I could get on it I would.

[Caroline laughs]

- I enjoyed meeting Linda and
her cats,

but I don't think I'd choose
a bald moggy as a pet.

Just like the rats and
guinea pigs I met earlier,

Sphynx cats are a genetic
mutation.

But why do we like to
create hairless creatures?

Do we want to make our
pets look more like people?

Maybe that's why we dress them
up.

I'm on my way to meet some
creatures

that don't look remotely human.

[sinister music]

One in five of us is scared of
spiders

and most of us aren't too
fond of snails either.

Unless you're French, and you
eat them.

But friends, Amy and Britain,

are crazy about creepy,
crawly and slimy creatures.

Most people get cuddles and
companionship from their pets,

what do you get from tarantulas?

- It's not the same sort of
companionship as a dog or a cat,

but i get an incredible amount
of peace.

When I'm watering and feeding
them and tending to them,

it's like an hour and a
half that's just to me.

Is that true for you Amy?

Is there a sort of meditative
quality

with being with snails?

- Yeah, I'd definitely say so.

I do like to sit and just watch
them eat

because you can hear them
crunching.

- That really does make sense,

I hadn't ever thought of that,

but there's a tranquil quality

about those of these creatures

which I wouldn't have
anticipated

and I would never have thought
about.

What does it feel like having
that crawling up your arm?

- You can kind of feel the
muscles moving

and it's just very squishy.

- But can I touch its body?
- Yeah.

- Oh, hello.

And you little darling.

Is it feeling where to walk?

Is that how it's--

- Yeah, they're mostly
blind and they are deaf

so they just feel by vibration,
that's--

- They're deaf?
- Yeah.

Spiders are really not to fear.

They're calm and gentle animals.

We're raised to believe that
some animals are cute and nice

and interesting and others are
horrible

and it's kind of a shame,

because then people grow up
fearing

certain types of animals.

- Peaches is such a pretty
spider.

You can feel her, which I like.

It's not so delicate that
you don't know she's there.

- [Britain] See can you
see how it's addictive now?

- Yep, do you know what, I
really can.

So perhaps all animals are
beautiful in their own way,

a bit like people really.

Wouldn't the world be a boring
place

if we were all as perfect as
Beyonce?

[gentle upbeat music]

With hardly any time left

before the World's Ugliest
Dog Contest, in California,

I need to find my own hideous
hound

to enter into the competition.

So here I am, Brentwood in
Essex,

at one of the UK's biggest
and best dog shows.

We're all used to
looking at beautiful dogs

winning prizes for being
perfect,

but I'm' going to be
holding auditions today,

not for dogs that everyone
thinks are beautiful,

but for the dogs that embody
the spirit of dogginess.

I'm very excited.

I've been given my own arena

but I have no idea if any ugly
dogs are going to turn up.

An hour into the show,

and the only prizewinning pooch
is me.

[Caroline laughing]

Surely one of these top dogs
must have an ugly sister?

Or brother, mother, dad, auntie?

So, this is the winner of
most gorgeous pure breed?

- [Woman] Last year.

- Ooh, she's not good for me,

'cause I'm doing the
ugly dogs competition.

[woman laughs]

What is that little dog?

- It's a Shih Tzu.

- It's a little Shih Tzu.

Oh, it's a very young Shih Tzu.

- 16 weeks.
- 16 weeks, she's adorable.

Who's this?

- [Woman] This is Pepper.

- And do people think pepper's
ugly?

- I dunno, it depends on what
breed.

Everyone's got their own
favourite breed.

- Yeah, they have.
- Yeah.

I like dogs in general,
so I've got lots. [laughs]

- I like dogs in general,
how many dogs have you got?

- 14.

[both laughing]

- She hates the camera.

[playful music]

There's a dearth of ugliness
here.

Everything with four legs is
pretty.

[thunder rumbling]

The skies open, and there
isn't an ugly dog in sight.

[rain pattering]

Time to take action.

I have made myself this board,

and I'm going to go out into the
world,

and I'm going to find ugly dogs.

And I don't care if I get wet
doing it.

Follow me.

[gentle upbeat music]
[rain pattering]

Anybody got any ugly dogs?

Any ugly dogs, sir?

Britain's.

No, no dogs at all.

I'm looking for Britain's
Ultimate Underdog.

Your dog I suspect is too good
looking.

Anybody got any ugly dogs?

Bring them to my show, I'm
holding auditions for ugly dogs!

No ugly dogs here.

I want to hold an ugly dog show.

You're pretty.

What are you rolling in?

Oh, sit down!

I'm looking beyond the cute and
cuddly.

Oh god.

And learning to love ugly pets.

It's slightly unpleasant
because you can see every bone,

you can see--

- I think the worst bit is is
their bum.

[both laughing]

- And I'm searching for a
British dog

to take to the World's
Ugliest Dog Contest.

Your dog, I suspect, is too good
looking.

At my Ultimate Underdog
Show, things are looking up.

The rain's cleared and, hurrah,

there's a queue of motley mutts.

[gentle music]

I've enlisted the help of Frank
Kane,

who usually presides over
the best in show at Crufts.

I've also invited two
special guest-judges,

Bev Nicholson and the 2012
winner

of the World's Ugliest Dog
Contest, Mugly.

Look, completely hairless
completely hairy, tiny.

Oh, don't eat him, Barney.
[laughing]

How easy is it going to be,
Frank,

do you think to judge this
competition?

- Beauty is in the eye of the
beholder,

what's ugly for one person
is beautiful for another.

And this is where the panel
of judges will have to decide.

- Do you think we're going to
struggle to reach an agreement

on this Bev?
- Absolutely.

- Do you?
- Yes, I really do.

Because it's your gut.

You go with your gut and that's
personal.

- May we have our first entrant
please?

First up on my spinning podium,

to celebrate less than perfect
pooches,

is two-year-old heavyweight,
Oriana.

- [Frank] This a Neapolitan
Mastiff,

they go back to Roman times

and they were bred to lead
the legions into battle.

They're very lovable, devoted
to their owners aren't they.

- They're very devoted to their
owners.

- And that's what we have dogs
for, devotion to their owners

and their personalities,
not just their looks, yes?

- So we'll be looking for that,
I think,

in our dog today. [laughs]

And the next dog please!

Daisy may not have beauty, but
she's certainly got brains.

There's no way she's
getting on that podium.

[laughs] Daisy!

- [Bev] Very sweet

Oh, wow.

- [Frank] Very good, yes.
[Bev cheers]

- Will she do that with me?

[upbeat music]

Thank you I did all the work.
[laughs]

Now who've we got here?

- [Frank] It's not just an
ordinary Corgi,

it's a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

- [Caroline] Unusual corgi,
Dilbert,

might be fit for a queen,

but is he royally ugly enough
for me?

- People always stop us
in the street and say,

"That's a weird looking dog."
[laughs]

And we think he's
beautiful but other people

unfortunately don't.

- You know, he might
not win the top prizes,

but he's still a good specimen
of a Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

- Of a rare dog, there you go.
- The perfect dog

never exists.

[gentle upbeat music]

- [Caroline] Could Timmy be a
contender?

- Now this to me is a real
unique dog

because he looks a real Heinz
57.

- He was born with a hare lip.

- Born with a hare Lip?
- Yeah.

He was a dog that shouldn't have
lived.

He had an operation.

- [Caroline] Timmy, let me
look at your movable nose.

Timmy, oh Timmy.

- It looks like he's smiling.

- Great personality.

We don't know their pedigree.

They're from an alliance in
the park in the dark, yes.

[Caroline laughs]

[upbeat music]

- [Caroline] Next up, it's
Logan.

Oh, Logan

- [Frank] One blue eye and one
brown eye.

- He's a peculiar looking
beast, I have to be honest.

- He makes your day, he really
does.

- [Caroline] And finally,
this strange looking thing.

You've got a very funny face

- This is Frieda.

- [Caroline] Frieda, come on
Frieda.

- [Frank] Frieda

- [Woman] Frieda gets told
she's ugly almost every day

when I take her out for a walk.

- No.
- Ugliness to some

is beauty to another, yes.

And I'm sure you look at her
and think she's beautiful.

- I like her uniqueness.

And the fact that almost her
whole face

is on top of her head.

Why should Frieda win?

- [Woman] 'Cause she's
perfectly imperfect.

- [Caroline] An extraordinary
clutch of canines

to add to my search
for Britain's underdog.

Time for a debrief although
Mugly has, largely,

been keeping his views to
himself.

Inscrutable, as always.

- Oriana, and what sort of dog's
Oriana?

- Neapolitan Mastiff.

- Beautiful, but too beautiful
for us.

Frieda.
- Too timid.

- She's too timid.
- She was too timid.

The competition is very loud.

There's thousands of people
there

and you need a special type of
dog.

- I've been quite taken by the
fact that

they've taken on these
dogs and they don't seem to

give two hoots about how
the world looks at them.

They love their dog and they
don't care what people say.

All of today's entrants have
been winners,

but the standards at the
world's ugliest dog contest

are exceedingly high.

These dogs are just too good
looking.

[upbeat music]

I'm just looking at some
photographs of previous winners,

and I think the competition
is going to be pretty stiff.

This is Quasimodo who won in
2015,

and he's not exactly a looker is
he?

[laughing] Look at peanut.

Peanut's a corker.

[laughs] Oh, peanut

Look at Yoda.

He Looks like a bit of belly
button fluff with eyes.

I'm actually quite excited
because I'm on my way

to meet a lady called Storm
who has a dog called Chase.

It sounds to me like chase
could have all the qualities

I'm looking for.

A dog that could, perhaps,
replace the marvellous Mugly.

The UK winner of the us
championships in 2012.

Let's hope we can do this.

Come on, Chase, be the
dog I'm looking for.

I may finally have made a
breakthrough.

Chinese Crested, Chase, and his
owner,

48-year-old, Storm, from South
Wales,

got together seven years ago

and have been inseparable ever
since.

This breed has had more winners

at the World's Ugliest Dog
Contest than any other.

By the way, Chase isn't being
rude.

He's sticking his tongue
out because a defective gene

means the hairless variety of
this breed

usually lose their
gnashers at an early age.

Oh my goodness.

Chase is one hell of an ugly
dog.

He's perfect.

Hello baby, hello baby.

I can't wait to get to know him
and Storm,

who has a whole pack of
dogs in her holiday caravan.

Are they important to you, your
dog's?

- They're my life.

- Are they?

- Yeah.
- How many have you got?

- 10.

They're all rescue.

- [Caroline] Yeah.

- They've all come from
some quite bad situations.

Chase, he was rescued from a
puppy farm.

- Chase.

Chase, is it all right if I.

Oh, he's so warm.

Oh, look.

- [Storm] He is a little sun
worshipper.

- One eye is a different colour.

- [Storm] He's got a cataract.

- Oh, Chase.

I've never owned a hairless dog,

and I've certainly never owned
a dog that looked like this.

It does take a bit of getting
used to,

but actually they're very
tactile.

- Yeah, it's skin the
same as anything else,

and they're very good for
people who are missing out on

that type of contact.

- [Caroline] Yes.

- Because cutching one of
those is lovely. [laughs]

- [Caroline] Yeah!

Chase has been a lifeline for
Storm

who has suffered from crippling
anxiety

since a traumatic accident
turned her life upside down.

- My mother was killed when I
was 18.

That was very difficult for me

'cause it was just me
and her living together.

We were on a motorbike,
and we hit a horse,

and she was killed.

My last memories of her were
CPR.

And for a very long time I had
dreams.

- Oh dear.
- I struggled.

Chase has been absolutely
marvellous with me.

I've used him as my assistance
dog,

which means I take him
everywhere I go.

It's almost a security blanket.

- Yeah, security blanket or
pacifier or something like that.

Yes, yeah.

- And also people talk to me
through the dog, very often.

So I also have that--

- [Caroline] Is that easier?

- Yeah, I have that
little bit of extra space.

- [Caroline] Yeah.

- So, there are times in my
life.

Yeah, you.

When I would have isolated
myself and a normal looking dog.

would not have got so much
attention.

- [Caroline] Yeah.

- But he sometimes does,

which means I have to then be
sociable.

I have to then talk to people.

- But he's a funny looking thing
too,

he's got comedy value.

Yes, you. [laughs]

- He is very unique.

- Isn't he sweet? [laughing]

[upbeat music]

A Chinese Crested rescue
dog who looks like a gremlin

has no teeth, a dodgy eye
and who walks like a crab,

Chase has all the ingredients
to be a champion ugly dog.

Above all, he helps Storm
to deal with her anxiety

and is her official assistance
dog.

Of all the mutts I've met,
he deserves to be celebrated.

Storm, Chase, will you
come with me to the States?

- Seriously?

Yes. [laughing]

- Will you?
- Yeah! [laughs]

- Oh, that will be so great!

Oh, it's so exciting.
- Oh my God, thanks, yes.

- Oh, that brilliant.

Oh, I'm thrilled, I'm
thrilled my sweetheart.

- I'm thrilled, I'm not sure
about him, but I'm thrilled.

- I think he'll have a nice time

because he's so relaxed and
chilled out.

- [Storm] He'll like the sun.

- Oh darling, well done.

He's quite shaking with delight.

[playful music]

At her home in Neath, Storm
is preparing for her first

transatlantic flight, with
Chase's help, of course.

- That's his assistance dog
harness,

and for when we're there,
he's got a little flag.

So, we're gonna to be
on the plane together,

you're going to be by my feet.

I'm afraid you're not allowed to
eat

for the whole of the flight.

That's gonna be the biggest
thing.

I'm the one that's nervous.

Isn't it, Chase.

Come on then, Chase, off to
America.

Oh, seatbelt. [laughs]

- [Caroline] On the way,

I can't resist popping in on one
ugly pet,

who lives in Boston.

[upbeat music]

I've never seen a bird like
Rhea in my life, what is she?

- She is a lovebird.

- Yeah, I mean people do have
lovebirds,

and, of course, normally
they're rather beautiful

with their soft colours and
their pinks and their greys

and everything.

Where are her feathers?

- Well she has a disease that
made her feathers do fall out.

The disease is called psittacine
beak and feather disease.

She used to be yellow, very
pretty,

I never got to see her like that
though.

When I adopted her she had
already lost all her feathers.

- She doesn't fly does she?
- No.

- She can't fly?

- Nothing.

So birds burn calories,
just like us when we walk,

they burn calories when they
fly, and because she can't fly,

I feel bad.

So I was like, "You know what?"

When she came here I was like,

"You're gonna be free."

So, she is free to roam
around the house all day.

- [Caroline] Does she get cold?

- Yes, she gets very very cold
so she needs to stay warm,

that's the most important thing
for her.

[upbeat music]

- Is it true that people make
jumpers and things for her?

- Oh my God, yes, I have over
300.

I get sweaters every single day.

- Thanks to devoted owner,
Isabelle,

Rhea has become a darling
of the social media world.

She tweets and has half
a million followers.

When I first heard about her

I thought I don't know what
the fuss is gonna be about,

but actually she's all
personality isn't she?

- She is, she is, and she's so
sassy.

- [Caroline] Yeah.

- [Isabelle] Funny.

[Rhea tweets]

- [Caroline] Usually, if I
was going to be that close

to a bird with no feathers,

it would be because I'm about to
eat it.

But I have to say that Rhea,
in the flesh, is a delight.

Nowadays I think I'm going to
look at all birds and think,

"You're overdressed."

Feathers are overrated.

[upbeat music]

In my search for ugly pets,
remarkably most have been fur

or feather free.

Does that make an animal less
attractive?

After all, to many of
us bald is beautiful.

[playful music]

My ugly showstopper, Chase.

- [Storm] Sun hat.

- [Caroline] And owner Storm,
have arrived in the USA.

- And look what I've got
you, a pair of sunglasses.

- [Caroline] And are
soaking up the sunshine

ahead of the big day.

- [Storm] So what do you
think of California, Chase?

Come on Chase let's go and try
the pool.

- I'm in California, where
my journey into the world of

aesthetically challenged animals

is about to get even uglier.

The day has finally arrived,

we are off to the World's
Ugliest Dog Contest.

I'm gonna go and meet Storm and
Chase

and see if they are as
up for this as I am.

Let's bring this title home to
Blighty.

I'm really impressed with
what Chase is wearing.

He looks fantastic.

So just talk me through what
he's actually got on. [laughs]

- He starts with the little
vest,

because obviously he's wearing
the assistance dog harness.

It basically tells the world
that he's my assistance dog.

- [Caroline] 'Cause you've
never been on a plane.

- Never been on a jet plane.

- How have you coped, actually?

- You know, I've not just left
Britain, I've come to America

and I would have been
freaking out without him.

- And it's an odd competition
anyway

to want your dog to be the
ugliest dog.

Let's just get that out there
now.

But you want Chase to be
the world's ugliest dog?

- Yes, because this competition
isn't about maligning

or making fun of animals,
it's about saying

that it's not about
what the dog looks like,

it's what's inside that counts.

Chase is a puppy farm reject,
possibly because of his looks.

He came in to rescue at
only a few weeks old.

He stayed there for quite a few
years,

until I adopted him, seven years
ago.

- And I think that's right

it's because of what they look
like

they get left behind
isn't it, let's be honest.

- And yet, you could not
wish for a better dog.

If he's not the ugliest,
he's certainly the loyalist.

- He's the most adorable.

- [Storms] He is beautiful.

- [Caroline] Shall we get going.

- Yes.
- Yay!

- [laughs] Let's go!

[people cheering]
[upbeat music]

- The World's Ugliest Dog
Contest

attracts crowds of over 3,000
people,

along with the world's media.

The winning pooches and their
owners

get a prize of $1,500, a trip to
New York

and a year's supply of dog
biscuits.

- Look here, look, we're here.

This is why we've come.

[laughs] It's quite impressive
isn't it.

- [Storm] I'm gonna get
stage fright. [laughs]

- Well I'm very excited

and it's really lovely to
see it in all its glory.

Look and there are the big

prizes.
- My God, the sizes of them!

[gentle music]

- [Caroline] Before the show,

Chase has an opportunity
to woo his audience.

- [Storm] What do you
think has he got a chance?

- Yeah.
- Yes.

- He's definitely got chance.

- [Storm] Would you like a
cuddle?

- Yes.

- You're a beauty, you're a
beauty.

- Is he gonna be in the contest?

- Yeah, yeah, yeah!
- He's gonna win the contest.

That is the winner right there.

- It's a big day for me,

and it's a really really
big day for Chase.

I just hope that Chase isn't
completely

overwhelmed by the entire
experience

because I'm looking around

and there's some very serious
competition.

Chase is up against 23 rivals

and facing fierce competition
from

three-year-old heavyweight,
Martha,

a Neapolitan mastiff with
a flatulence problem.

Brussels Griffon crosses, Mo and
Monkey.

And a kennel full of
hairless Chinese Crested,

the breed that has reigned
supreme in this contest.

Zuma, Rascal, Icky and Josie.

- [Woman] She took second place
last year.

- Oh, so she could win it.

- I don't know, there's some
pretty creepy looking dogs.

[both laughing]

- [Man] Zoomer has taken
second and Icky's taken third.

But they've never actually won
the title.

- This is Mo, and Mo

is one of the first people
I've met today with proper fur.

- Yes, he hasn't lost any of it.

He's lost his sight and his
hearing

but he definitely has his fur.

- You are entering Martha
into the competition,

is that right?
- That's right.

- [Caroline] She's quite
something to look at isn't she?

- [Woman] She's spectacular,
absolutely.

- Do you think she's beautiful
or ugly?

- Both.
- Bugly!

Have you ever entered
this competition before?

- Yep, this is our fifth time.

- Fifth time?
- Yes.

- [Caroline] And has
monkey ever won anything?

- [Man] She won second place
four years ago, I think.

- Oh.
- Yeah.

- Oh, so you're in with a
chance?

- Oh yeah, she's there. [laughs]

- [Dane] I think it's fun
when people think he's ugly.

- [Caroline] Do you, and
do people say that to you?

- Oh, they say it all the time.

In a way it's kinda rude,
because this is my kid

and I walk by and they go,

"Oh my god that dogs ugly," out
loud.

- Do you feel extra pressure
representing Wales here?

- [Storm] Yes, yes.

- While storm and chase get
the celebrity treatment,

I get the inside scoop from the
judges.

How long has this competition
been going?

- There's been an ugly dog
competition in Petaluma

for over 50 years.

- Wow.

- And when it started it was for
fun.

A bunch of guys said, "We need
to do something different,

"get some attention for
Petaluma,"

but over the years it
has evolved to be about

rescuing animals that may not be
perfect.

Some dogs are not always
chosen in the shelters

and we like to say that
they are all lovable,

all adoptable, and they're
beautiful on the inside.

- Can you tell me what you're
looking for

in the world's ugliest dog?

- I think I'm gonna be looking
for the dogs that sort of

are comfortable in their own
skin.

They're not uncomfortable
with their looks, right?

- I think some of them
don't know they're ugly.

- Well it's so true of so
many of us in life isn't it.

Well, listen, good luck.

I'm really looking forward to
the judging

and seeing all the animals.

[upbeat music]

Minutes away from showtime
and a final pep talk.

How are you feeling?

- Oh, nervous, very nervous.

There's some stiff competition
here today.

- There really is and
there are a lot of people

who have a lot of experience
of this gig actually.

- Oh yes, a few of them have
been here several times before,

and we are such a newbie.

- Try and enjoy it, it's a one
off.

- Yeah.

[audience applauding]

- [Caroline] It's showtime.

- Hello everybody!

You all set for the World's
Ugliest Dog Contest?

[audience cheering]

- Dog number one.

Ladies and gentlemen from
Davis, California, Zoomer.

[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]

- He's dishy.

Too handsome.

- [Man Host] Martha!

Oh, what a face, huh?

- Oh, she's lovely.

- [Woman Host] Her coat is so
beautiful.

- [Man Host] That kinda
looked like me last night

after that second bottle
of wine down the road.

- [Woman Host] I'm not
going to argue that.

[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]

Moe Alfred Herbert James.

- That's the real competition
that dog.

That's the one I think we've
gotta beat.

It's a beautifully ugly dog.

[upbeat music]

- [Man Host] Monkey was rescued
from a hoarding situation

when she was six months old.

She's a very unique little girl.

- Ladies and gentleman, Rascal.

- All right.

- [Woman Host] He's the fifth
generation

to carry on the ugly dog dynasty

after his dad Rascal won back in
2002.

[audience applauding]

- [Caroline] It's Chase's big
moment.

- [Woman Host] All right,

let's give a big warm American
welcome

to contestant number five, from
the UK,

escorted by Storm Shayler, we
have Chase.

[audience applauding]

- [Man Host] This is of course
the dog

that has come furthest, all
the way from Great Britain.

- Come on, Chase.
- A fellow Brit last won the

World's Ugliest Dog Contest

back in 2012.
- Oh, take the sausage.

- Good luck Chase.
- Did you bring Toby

back across the see.

[audience cheering]
[dramatic music]

- [Judge] And This dog
is an assistance dog?

- [Storm] Yes.

- Has this dog met the Queen?

- No, I'm afraid not, no.
- What?

- [Judge] I like the legs
are so crazy disproportionate

to the rest of the body.

- [Judge] And a whole lot of
shaking going on there too.

- This is a lot of
pressure for a little dog.

- Yeah.
- He's doing really well.

- He is.
- Yes.

He's got a cataract in that eye

but the other eyesight's
perfect.

- And the tongue here hanging
out like that is natural?

- [Storm] Yes, 'cause he's lost
his teeth.

- [Judge] He has no teeth?

- [Storm] Yeah.

- Let's make chase feel welcome,
his first time in the USA.

- Wonderful creature.

[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]

- Hey I like that sideways
crab walk, that he has.

That's a bonus.

Look at that.

Look at the legs on that dog, oh
my gosh.

- [Caroline] Storm and chase
have done Great Britain proud.

But with such stiff competition,
it could go either way.

- We want to invite all of our
dogs

and all of their handlers
to please come to the stage

right now as we prepare
for judging and awards.

- [Caroline] It's decision time.

Will storm and her loyal,
perfectly imperfect dog, Chase,

take the crown?

- [Judge] The three finalists.

- In no particular order here.
- In no particular order.

[tense music]

- Martha.

[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]

Moe.

[audience applauding]
[audience cheering]

Chase!

[audience cheering]
[Caroline laughing]

- Oh, Chase.
- Give it up for Wales.

[audience applauding]

- [Caroline] They've made the
final three.

- So, if we can just have
those three finalists

remain on the stage.

We will ask the audience to help
us

by cheering just as loud as you
can.

First, for Moe.

[audience cheering]
[upbeat music]

- Chase.

[audience cheering]

- Come on, come on, come on!
[laughs]

- Martha.

[audience cheering]

Ladies and gentlemen, we
have reached a decision.

- Okay, in the third position,
from Wales we have Chase.

[audience cheering]
[audience applauding]

- Woo hoo!

Third place, out of all the
ugliest dogs in the world.

It really is an extraordinary
achievement.

- I'm just gobsmacked,
I just did not expect

to do so well. [laughs]
- Gobsmacked.

- Chase and Storm should be very
proud.

Good result.

- And the winner of the
World's Ugliest Dog 2017,

Martha!
- Martha! [laughing]

[audience applauding]

- He's just taking
everything in his stride,

as he usually does.

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

[cameras clicking]

- Congratulations!
[Storm laughing]

Congratulations, well done.

Well done, Chase, brilliant.

- I thought we were up against
such stiff competition.

- It was a really,
really tough competition.

- And lovely to see a different
dog win, to be honest.

- It was exciting to see
something

other than a little Crested
Chinese.

Much as we adore you!

And how are we gonna get this
back home?

- I've no idea, and this.

- Oh, no really.

- [Storm] Yes, I've won this as
well.

- I think they'll send
me back in that probably.

Send me back in the crate.

It's been great, hasn't it.
- Oh, it's been wonderful.

- I'm just, I'm still, I just,
[laughs] I'm lost for words.

- Well done darling.

We did good.

The dog did good.

[upbeat music]

They may not have bagged first
prize,

but Storm and Chase have come a
long way.

And so, have I.

Oh god.

Come on now old Muggers.

Come on up, up, Mugly.

Think what I've found most
moving

about this entire experience,

is how many animals get left
behind

because of what they look like,

and what's brought the most
joy to me has been the fact

that there are people out there
who would always take home

the underdog, the ugly, the
unfortunate.

The one like the wallflower at
the dance

would always get left behind.

But hooray, those people
that love animals,

people like me who really adore
them,

for them there are no ugly pets.

[upbeat music]