Several million times more interesting, but perhaps a tad meaner, than the Crufts show is the similarly doggy competition "World's Ugliest Dog". Its reigning star is Sam, who beat all other competitors hands down. The picture to the right may help explain why, and also scare away any children who happen to be wandering through the Poorhouse.

Sam, like a good wine, clearly matured with age and won the competition three times consecutively. Apparently he gained something of a cult following. According to his owner Susie Lockheed, "So many people have told me they've got his picture on their refrigerator". Presumably these would be people who are on a serious, serious diet.

You may be unsurprised to hear that actually Sam wasn't very well, and suffered from heart, lung and kidney problems despite being indulged in several gourmet meals of steak, flan chicken and more. Tragically Sam is now dead, but rest assure that his memory will live on for quite some time yet. NB: the picture above was taken before death and hence decomposition cannot be regarded as an excuse.

Read Sam's blog for more if you dare. Some of it really will make you feel emotional, one way or the other.