Ruby is three-year-old miniature schnauzer and behaves like any dog.
She loves the beach, a good feed and running around – but she doesn’t look like other dogs … she has no hair.
She has alopecia, meaning that she can’t grow any fluff like other miniature schnauzers.
And now she’s been nominated by her owners for The Advertiser’s ugliest dog competition.
Ruby’s owner Rory Kemp said she hadn’t been picked out of the litter liker her siblings, so they took her in along with her sister, Luna.
The sisters have a stark difference in looks, with Luna enjoying an abundance of typical schnauzer fluff and Ruby being the cute but ugly duckling with only a few whiskers.
“My mates at work say Ruby looks like a baby seal so I thought it would be funny to enter her in the competition,” Mr Kemp said.
Ruby is a keen beachgoer but to protect her lovely skin, she needs doggie sunscreen so she doesn’t end up a hot dog.
“Although she looks so different, she is so loved by the family,” Mr Kemp said.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder — and of course this famous saying applies to our beloved dogs.
We’ve already crowned SA’s cutest dog, Rosie the border collie, and have learned about all the hard work put in by SA’s winery dogs.
Now, we’re on the hunt for the state’s most loveable but unfortunate-looking dogs, the loveliest ugly will be voted on and crowned SA’s 2023 ugliest dog.
Four-year-old cross breed Peggy was recently named the ugliest dog in Britain, while 17-year-old Mr. Happy Face won the World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California in 2022.
So if your doggie has a few parts missing or is a little displeasing to the eyes – but fills your heart with joy – we want to see them.
Nominate them in the form below! Nominations close 8am on Friday, March 3.
Originally published as Do you have SA’s ugliest dog? Nominate them now