The winner of The World's Ugliest Dog 2018 is a nine-year-old English bulldog.

The unattractive pooch, named Zsa Zsa, won the title at Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma, California.

The annual competition started as a parody of more traditional pure-breed dog contests, with hounds flaunting their hairless bodies, lolling tongues or unusual eyes.

The dogs and their handlers walk down a red carpet and are evaluated by a panel of judges.

But there is an incentive for people to enter their pups in this fairly ridiculous annual event.

Zsa Zsa’s owner, Megan Brainard of Anoka, Minnesota, will receive an impressive $1,500 (around £1,130) for the win.

World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Show all 11 1 /11 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog owned by Megan Brainard, stands onstage after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Megan Brainard reacts after her dog Zsa Zsa, bottom, is announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa stands onstage after being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Rascal Deux is held by owner Dane Andrew AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Wild Thang, a Pekingese, stands onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Himisaboo, Chinese Crested and Dachshund mix, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Meatloaf, a bulldog mix, walks onstage AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Martha, a Neopolitan Mastiff who won the 2017 World's Ugliest Dog Contest, stands onstage before this year's winner was announced AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Zsa Zsa, an English Bulldog, stands onstage with Megan Brainard, before being announced the winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest AP World's Ugliest Dog 2018 World's Ugliest Dog 2018 Josie, a Chinese Crested mix, is checked by judges Debbie Abrams, right, and Jo Ling Kent AP

Although a common feature of the breed, this English bulldog is particularly recognisable for her long tongue that almost touches the floor.

Her short, squat legs were given an extra special touch, as Zsa Zsa sported hot-pink nail polish.

Although a tongue-in-cheek event, the winner of this year's event highlights a broader issue with dog breeding.

English bulldogs are one of the most inbred types of dogs, with some geneticists saying the problem is now so bad their health will never be able to improve.

They often suffer from a range of health problems and ailments.