Brits can’t admit their pets are ugly say Holly and Phil

Ugly’ dog is simply gorgeous say Holly and Phil

This Morning hosts Holly and Phil have described the front-runner in the race to find Britain’s ugliest dog as, “Gorgeous.”

The ITV pair spoke out in defence of Peggy, a pug Chinese crested mix who is currently competing for the title of Britain’s ugliest mutt.

Competition organisers ParrotPrint.com (click for details of the contest) are offering a makeover for the least photogenic dog in the country but admit that early entrants just haven’t been ugly enough.

Peggy and owner Holly Middleton, from East Yorkshire, appeared on the This Morning sofa as the organisers appealed for more entries from ugly dogs.

But both Holly and Phil suggested the competition was flawed because pet owners do not want to admit their dog is ugly.

Introducing Peggy on the ITV programme host Phillip Schofield said: “The competition to find Britain’s ugliest dog is open to applicants.

“Twelve finalists will be announced at the end of December and the winning mutt will be treated to a professional grooming and before and after photo session.”

But eyeing Peggy he added: “Although I’m not entirely sure I know what’s going to be done?”

Peggy’s owner Holly Middleton agreed saying, “I don’t know what they’re going to do with her.”

Phillip then continued: “There’s not a lot to groom there. Do her nails?”

He then told the ITV show’s viewers that the organisers ParrotPrint.com were having difficulties finding ugly pets.

He said: “However the company running the competition has been flooded with entries of too cute mutts.”

Animal lover Phillip then offered his own explanation for why the competition might be struggling for entries.

He said: “It takes a lot though for an owner to say, ‘I’ve got an ugly dog.’”

Co-host Holly Willoughby agreed saying, “I know it’s true, because we all love them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Peggy’s owner Holly Middleton agreed with the famous pair and admitted she thought her pet was beautiful.

She said: “I don’t think she’s ugly, just look at her little face! I think she’s gorgeous but I know why some people would find her ugly. We forget because she lives in our house, we forget she’s not like a normal dog.

“People in the street they’ll either want to touch her and meet her or they’ll avoid her whispering to each other – what is it?”

Philip then leapt to Peggy’s defence saying: “You wouldn’t swap her for the world, would you?”

And Peggy’s owner confirmed, “Absolutely not.”

Phillip then said, “She is gorgeous, and she’s been very well behaved.”

Holly Willoughby agreed, saying: “She has been. One of our better-behaved dogs on here I have to say.”

Matt Dahan, founder of ParrotPrint.com said: “We agree that every dog is lovely in their own way and Peggy is certainly no exception to that rule.

“We are simply doing something to celebrate the sort of dogs who aren’t usually described as cute.”

Peggy appeared on the programme on 1st December. The contest is open for entries now and shortlisted dogs will be announced at the end of the year ahead of the selection of an overall winner in the New Year.