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The winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog competition has been crowned

Published 12:21 25 Jun 2017 BST

Orlaith Condon

The winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog competition has been crowned

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And the winner is…

The winner of the 29^th annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has been announced and she’s a little different to the usual winner. Often, it’s older, smaller dogs that take home the title. However, this year, the top prize went to a three-year-old,125-pound Neapolitan Mastiff called Martha. Appearing on stage, Martha was instantly the favourite with the crowd as she lay her droopy face down on the ground and paid no attention to the audience that cheered her on.

Meet Martha, the big, lazy, gassy winner of World's Ugliest Dog Contest https://t.co/NGwuzNP8Yt pic.twitter.com/o7QmO0SS6d
— Sun Nation/World (@worldstories) June 24, 2017

With a signature snore, Martha won over that crowd and the judges and won herself the title of the World’s Ugliest Dog. She now walks away with $1,500, a trophy and a trip to New York with her owner, Shirley, for media appearances.

A 125-pound, gassy gentle giant named Martha was crowned the winner of the 29th annual World's Ugliest Dog Contest: https://t.co/KNUdOkbyBN pic.twitter.com/vc0E851DE9
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 24, 2017

Shirlery rescued Martha when she was nearly blind from neglect and now, after succesful surgeries and care, Martha can see again. And while Martha might have won the ugliest title, many are sharing the love with the three-year-old, calling her beautiful.