IN PICTURES: Peterborough's Muppet named the UK's Ugliest Dog

A Chinese Crested from Peterborough has won the dubious honour of being named as the UK’s Ugliest Dog.

Muppet, who lives with his owner Bev Nicholson, who runs Mutts-Nutts Pet Shop on Papyrus Road, has several missing teeth and has his tongue permanently sticking out.

He has been described as “beautiful inside and out” by Bev, who also owned Mugly- Muppet’s brother- who was crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog in 2012. Bev and Mugly were even flown to New York to appear on the Today Show.

Muppet won the hearts of the judges and the nation after starring on ITV’s This Morning alongside some of the other finalists.

After sifting through scores of entries from dog owners who were each convinced their pet was the worst-looking in the country, judges from ParrotPrint.com- who run the competition- named Muppet their winner.

Bev said: “I am aware he’s an odd one but all I see is Muppet and I think he is quite gorgeous. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder after all.

“I know people say there’s no such thing as an ugly dog, but it is just a term of endearment. There are ugly humans aren’t there, the difference is Muppet has inner beauty. He’s not just a pink dog with a comb-over.

“Walks often take some time as people want to stop us, especially if he’s riding home in his stroller, we call it his chariot.

“He loves it in there, he’s warm and at a height where he’s happier. People often take selfies with him with their tongues sticking out too.

“When I was told Muppet had won it gave me the giggles! I am happy for him; he knows no different and it’s nice that a little wonky rescue dog has ended up with this dubious title.

“Muppet loved his mud bath and apart from a naughty poop at the photography studio he behaved perfectly and the photos look fabulous. All in all it’s been a great experience.”

The prize for Muppet’s win was a pamper session at a luxury doggie spa followed by a Christmas-themed photoshoot at ImageExclusive in Wadenhoe.

The treatments included a mud bath and thalassotherapy, a therapeutic practice which involved Muppet being bathed in seawater.

After a deep cleanse, Muppet was blow-dried and made to feel lovely and soft followed by a little spray of fragrance.

Head judge and founder of competition organiser ParrotPrint.com Matt Dahan said: “We didn’t think we would find another dog like last year's winner Peggy, but Muppet manages to be both cute and ugly all at the same time and we think he has the same star quality.

"He is so loved and pampered by Bev which is lovely to see and we are delighted they enjoyed the pamper session and photoshoot.

“We’re all really happy to name Muppet as the winner of our competition and are looking forward to finding out what the future holds for them both.”

Muppet’s appearance on this morning can be viewed on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfUCo1lC9YE.