Hannah sits on the throne after being crowned the winner of the 27th annual Drake Most Beautiful Bulldog Contest, Monday, April 24, 2008, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hannah, a 2-year old English bulldog, beat out 49 others to claim top prize in the 27th annual "Beautiful Bulldog" contest Monday.

The contest marks the beginning of the Drake Relays, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious track and field meets.

Hannah, who is white with patches of brown scattered across her squat figure, took the stage wearing a Drake cheerleaders' outfit and shocked the crowd by taking "top dog" honors over Porterhouse, a brown male from Minnesota.

As the winner, Hannah will serve a yearlong term as the official mascot of both the Relays and Drake University.

"She's a pretty outgoing dog," said Curtis Jackson, Hannah's co-owner. "We're stunned ... I'm dumbfounded."

The panel of judges had a much different purpose with their Westminster Kennel Club counterparts. Bowed legs, deep wrinkles, bloodshot eyes, protruding teeth and clever costumes were considered strong attributes.

Proud ancestry and impeccable breeding are not.

"We're looking for the ugliest bulldog you can get your hands on," said Dolph Pulliam, the executive director of the Beautiful Bulldog contest. "We're the looking for the bulldog that has that face, that drool, that personality that can charm you."

Amanda Millard, her co-owner, promised that Hannah will take time out from her favorite activities - digging in the mud and dining on foot wear - and honor the office of Beautiful Bulldog with style.

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