Ugliest' Dog Gaining Cult Status

POSTED: 1:30 pm EDT August 23, 2005

A dog deemed the ugliest dog in the world has become a canine celebrity and is quickly becoming a hit online since his mug was featured in newspapers and on television, according to a Local 6 News report. Since his third contest win, Sam has inspired several Web sites, blogs and even an Internet comic strip. Sam, a 14-year-old pedigreed Chinese crested, won the World's Ugliest Dog contest for the third time in June.

SLIDESHOW: Images Of Ugliest Dog VIDEO: See The Story

Since his third contest win, Sam has inspired several Web sites, blogs and even an Internet comic strip. Web sites are even selling Sam memorabilia and attempting contests to find an even uglier dog than Sam, according to the report. Also, the Internet myth debunking site, Snopes.com, has Sam's story as a "true" status. Another Web site cheered the fact that Sam is neutered, saying, "We do not want another Son Of Sam."
Sam's owner, Susie Lockheed, 53, said her dog is an accident of breeding, Local 6 News reported. Lockheed took Sam in five years ago when he was considered not adoptable.
"Sometimes other dogs don't seem to quite know if he's a canine," Lockheed said. "They have to have a good sniff."