Pabst the boxer mix reclined Sunday on his bed in Citrus Heights, a rare moment in a flurry of photo shoots and national press interviews since being named World's Ugliest Dog and taking the title from the dominant breed – the hairless Chinese crested.
But owner Miles Egstad doesn't see ugly in his 4-year-old, 60-pound dog.
"Apart from his underbite, I think he's great looking," said Egstad, 25. "I think if you took 100 of those Chinese cresteds, you would have 100 ugly dogs. And if you have 100 boxer mixes, you're only going to get one Pabst, and that's if you're lucky."
Egstad adopted the 6-month-old Pabst from a mobile adoption group more than three years ago and named him for his "bitter beer face."
It wasn't the 2-inch underbite that drew him in; it was the soft and kind eyes that felt as if they could see right into Egstad's heart.
"As soon as I saw him, it was on," said Egstad. "It was just the uniquest face. And I instantly fell in love with him."
Pabst had been found wandering around Auburn, had a large burn mark on his abdomen and was missing part of a toe. He was timid and fearful, but Egstad brought him home anyway.
"All he needed was a little love, and he's the best dog I've ever had," Egstad said.
Pabst doesn't know any tricks beyond sitting. He snores and farts. And he can be found on the couch in the morning, although he always starts the night on his bed.
But when Egstad gets home from his job as a millwright, where he installs and maintains industrial machinery, all of Pabst's body parts are in motion.
"I love the way he greets me when I come home," Egstad said. "His whole body is shaking, his tail is wagging and his evil-looking grin looks like a big smile."
Egstad entered Pabst into the best smile contest affiliated with this year's Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash. Pabst won the blue ribbon and a gift bag full of prizes. Egstad then decided to go for the ugliest dog title.
The judges – celebrity veterinarian Karen "Doc" Halligan; Jon Provost, who played Timmy in "Lassie"; and Sonoma-Marin Fair board member Brian Sobel – picked Pabst as the ugliest mutt, ugliest dog in the mutt-and-pedigree runoff, and finally, the reigning World's Ugliest Dog at the Petaluma competition Friday.
Pabst won $1,600 in prize money; a collection of collars, leashes and bowls from the House of Dog; a $1,000 yearlong modeling contract; and an eruption of publicity.
Pabst already has been filmed by Animal Planet, appeared via a live feed Sunday on "Fox & Friends," and is going to New York to appear on "The Early Show" on CBS sometime this week.
"He's loving it, he's absolutely loving it," Egstad said. "When we were walking onto the stage, he was pulling me into the crowd and letting the kids pet his belly and ears."
A former ugly dog champion has a line of greeting cards sold at Target stores saying things like, "Birthdays can be ugly. And trust me, I know ugly."
And while there is potential for Pabst's earnings, orthodontia is not in his future.
"That's his trademark," Egstad said.
Call The Bee's Gina Kim, (916) 321-1228.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.