PETALUMA, Calif. -- Pabst, a toothy Boxer mixed-breed, stole the show at Friday's World's Ugliest Dog Contest at the Marin-Sonoma Fair in Petaluma, Calif., defeating a former world champion Chinese crested named Rascal to take first place.

The 4-year-old former shelter dog fetched $1,600 in prize money, a modeling contract and a table-full of collars, leashes and toys, reported KTVU-TV in San Francisco.

Pabst's victory was an upset of sorts. The awkward-appearing Chinese crested breed has dominated the contest for over seven years and represented over half of this year's entries.

Owner Miles Egstad said nobody knew his dog when the contest started, but the pet gained plenty of fans.

"By the end of the competition, they were chanting his name," Egstad added.

Egstad said he named his dog for his "bitter beer face." As for ugliness, Egstad says he sees beauty in his four-legged friend, reported KCRA-TV in Sacramento.

"I find him to be a good-looking dog," he said.

Pabst made his owner proud by winning $1,600 in prize money and a year-long modeling contract.

"I love him to death," Egstad said. "I think he's great."

The annual contest started back in 1976. This year's judges included Jon Provost, who played Timmy on the television show "Lassie" and Karen "Doc" Halligan from "Groomer Has It," "Dog Tales" and "Animal Rescue 911."