First Published: November 30, 2013 11:57 AM EST Credit: Getty Images
Caption A Chihuahua named Elwood sits with his tongue out before the start of the 20th Annual Ugliest Dog Competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair June 20, 2008 in Petaluma, Calif.
SEWELL, N.J. --
A New Jersey canine that was crowned the world’s ugliest dog in 2007 and later became the topic of a children’s book preaching acceptance has died. Elwood was 8.
His owner, Karen Quigley, says the Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix died unexpectedly Thanksgiving morning. The Sewell resident says Elwood had been dealing with some heath issues in recent months but appeared to be doing well.
Elwood was dark colored and hairless — save for a puff of white fur resembling a Mohawk on his head. He was often referred to by fans as Yoda, or E.T., for his resemblance to those famous science-fiction characters.
Elwood won his crown at the annual ugly dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair in California a year after he had finished second.
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