A dog with no hair or teeth who was named Britain’s ugliest has died at the age of 16.
Chase, who defied the odds to become a top dog model despite his looks and a cataract in one eye, is said to have died peacefully at home.
His owner Storm Shayler, 50, paid tribute to her famous pet today and said he was a ‘one-of-a-kind’ and ‘beautiful on the inside’.
‘He had so much personality and I took him everywhere with me,’ Storm said.
‘Nothing at all ever fazed him – he loved people and people loved him.’
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Storm, of Cimla, Neath, South Wales, rescued Chinese-crested mix Chase from a puppy farm.
He came third in the world ugly dog competition in California for his cataract and his crab like walk.
Storm said: ‘When I sent in a photograph and entered him in the World’s Ugliest Dog Competition I never imagined he would win a prize but I was gobsmacked when he came third and won a 3ft trophy.
‘He lapped up all the attention on the day like a little star and loved showing himself off.
‘He might not have won first prize but he was always a winner in my eyes.
‘He just loved his life so much. He was an absolute joy for the eight years I had him.
‘I was with him when he died – I just cuddled him and he slipped away peacefully. He had an amazing life but I am going to miss him beyond words.’
Storm last year said Chase had helped her to overcome post traumatic stress disorder after losing her mum in a tragic motorbike accident.
She said at the time: ‘I love having the dog with me because if I start struggling when I am out and about I can just stop and give the dog a cuddle.’