This documentary focuses on the annual "World's Ugliest Dog" contest held in Petaluma, California. Like a lot of offbeat competitions, it started out as a quirky bit of fun for owners of strange-looking, so-ugly-they're-cute canines. But the subject matter, while funny on the surface, ultimately turns disturbing.
For one thing, as in many contests, there are always a few competitors who take the whole thing way too seriously. In this case, one dog owner in particular comes across as an obnoxious self-promoter who attempts to monopolize all the attention at every contest. His aggressive campaigning tactics start off as funny, then become tiresome. He eventually comes off as one of those pushy stage parents in children's beauty pageants.
More disturbing, though, is the exploitation of some of these dogs. Granted, some breeds of dogs, such as Chinese Cresteds, are simply more bizarre-looking than the average pooch. But many of the entrants have disabilities that contribute to their "ugliness"--missing eyes, blindness, visible tumors and warts, goiters, missing teeth, spinal and limb deformities, etc. It raises the question of whether some of these dogs are the victims of medical neglect by greedy owners who are more interested in allowing their dogs to remain "ugly" rather than seek medical attention for their illnesses and deformities.
What starts out as a lighthearted look at strange, funny-looking creatures turns sour. Maybe a closer look at some of these overzealous dog owners is warranted.
For one thing, as in many contests, there are always a few competitors who take the whole thing way too seriously. In this case, one dog owner in particular comes across as an obnoxious self-promoter who attempts to monopolize all the attention at every contest. His aggressive campaigning tactics start off as funny, then become tiresome. He eventually comes off as one of those pushy stage parents in children's beauty pageants.
More disturbing, though, is the exploitation of some of these dogs. Granted, some breeds of dogs, such as Chinese Cresteds, are simply more bizarre-looking than the average pooch. But many of the entrants have disabilities that contribute to their "ugliness"--missing eyes, blindness, visible tumors and warts, goiters, missing teeth, spinal and limb deformities, etc. It raises the question of whether some of these dogs are the victims of medical neglect by greedy owners who are more interested in allowing their dogs to remain "ugly" rather than seek medical attention for their illnesses and deformities.
What starts out as a lighthearted look at strange, funny-looking creatures turns sour. Maybe a closer look at some of these overzealous dog owners is warranted.
Tell Your Friends