A nine-year-old English bulldog has been named named the 2018 winner of the World's Ugliest Dog competition.

Zsa Zsa celebrates with her human Megan Brainard after being announced the winner. ( AP: Jeff Chiu )

Zsa Zsa won the title on Saturday (local time) in the competition, held in the San Francisco Bay Area, where dogs with hairless bodies and lolling tongues flaunt their imperfections.

The dogs walk down a red carpet and are evaluated by a panel of judges and the winner takes home $1,500.

Zsa Zsa's owner is Megan Brainard of Anoka, Minnesota.

The event was held at the Sonoma-Marin Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma.

As well as Zsa Zsa, this year's competitors included a blackhead-covered Chinese Crested-Dachshund mutt and a bulldog mix with excess wrinkly skin.

Last year's winner was a 57-kilogram gentle giant named Martha — a Neopolitan Mastiff with gas and a droopy face.

During the competition, she often plopped down on her side on stage with her droopy face spread across the ground when she was supposed to be showing off.

2017 contest winner Martha had some seriously droopy jowls. ( AP: Eric Risberg )

In 2016, a Chinese crested chihuahua called Sweepee Rambo took out the prize.

At the time, Sweepee's owner Jason Rambo claimed: "I've had girlfriends over the years and they were jealous of her."

Little Sweepee Rambo was voted 2016's most unattractive canine. ( Reuters: Stephen Lam )

The canines who didn't make the cut

While they were not been deemed unlovely enough to be winners, there were some strong contenders for this year's gong.

Here are some of the contestants.

Rascal Deux

Rascal is a naturally hairless chihuaha with a tuft of Einstein-like hair on his head and two different-coloured eyes.

He is the winner of a number ugliest dog competitions — but it wasn't to be this year.

Rascal Deux is held by his owner before competing. ( AP: Jeff Chiu )

Himisaboo

Himisaboo, from Oregon, has a dachsund body and long legs. Except for the long hair on his head,tail and toes, he is hairless.

Himisaboo is a Chinese crested and dachshund mix. ( AP Photo: Jeff Chiu )

Wild Thang

Wild Thang is a Pekingese from Los Angeles. According to AJC.com, she contracted distemper at 10 weeks old and now has limited movement in her tongue and slight jaw paralysis.

One of her front legs also paddles constantly, even when she is asleep.

Wild Thang reportedly has residual damage from contracting the distemper virus. ( AP: Jeff Chiu )

AP/ABC