Mangy mutts from around the globe will gather this week at the only beauty pageant they might ever stand a chance of winning –  the world’s ugliest dog contest.

The annual show in California, welcomes all dogs from pugs to terriers, sausage dogs and chihuahuas in an attempt to discover the worst-looking canine on Earth.

Now in its 25th year, the contest – which has  even spawned a book – sees dogs judged in four main categories – first  impressions, unique features, personality, and audience reaction.

Chupee is one of the contenders for the crown of World’s  Ugliest Dog

This strange looking mutt, called Icky, could well be  walking away with the coveted prize

Could Boolah’s uncontrollable tongue sway the judges to  pick up the top prize?

The aesthetically-challenged winner will not  only be able to boast they’re the polar opposite of the champion at Crufts, but  will also take home a trophy, $1500 and a meal at a local restaurant prepared by  a top chef.

Among the contenders this year are Creature  with a huge under bite, Icky with sporadic wiry fur and Boolah who appears to  have an uncontrollable tongue.

Event producer, Vicki DeArmon, 54, said:  ‘I’ve been producing the world’s ugliest dog contest for seven years now – it’s  been a wild ride.

The dogs are marked on four categories: first  impressions, unique features, personality, and audience reaction

Isaboo will be hoping to win the title, now in its 25th  year of competition

Josie’s incredibly bendy tongue may sway some voters in  the beauty pageant

‘The contest has grown from a small hometown  fair event to one in which the entire world is engaged.

‘The announcement of the winner each year  ricochets around the world with that dog’s photo being shared from China to  Bolivia to France.

‘We usually have between 20 and 30 dogs and  we’re on target for that again this year.

‘In fact, 50 per cent of our  contestants  this year are first time participants and very often, the  winner is a new dog.  So one of those may well be our winner.

‘The winning dog will get world fame and  recognition, hitting the talk show circuit and appearing at local dog  events.

‘Many go on to become doggy ambassadors in  their hometowns for the rescue dog movement as many of our contestants are  rescue dogs who are now living  in their forever homes and are much  loved.’

If he wins, Reggie will win a trophy and a meal at a  local restaurant prepared by a top chef

He may not be as strong as his namesake, but Samson  could soon be a champion in his own right

The owners of Creature will surely win the prize for the  most apt name of a dog

The competition gives dogs like Monkey Man a chance to  enjoy a rare moment in the spotlight

The annual show in California, welcomes all dogs (like  Addison pictured here) from pugs to terriers, sausage dogs and  chihuahuas

Maybe Scamp will be the winner of the $1500 prize  money

Read more: DailyMail