A pillow catches the attention of a contestant named Arya during the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
More than 300 canine owners registered their dogs for a variety of competitions held Sunday at Marine Stadium. Bulldog lovers and their drooling doggies braved a daylong drizzle for the 16th year of this annual event.
Costumes aren’t encouraged at The National Bulldog Beauty Contest. The dogs are evaluated by personality, charm and figure. An outfit would cover up the Bulldog booty beauty.
A bulldog named Bernard Kinnard took first prize. He’s owned by Chris Kinnard of Santa Monica. “We’ll probably give him one of his favorite chicken treats to celebrate, even though they give him a bit of digestive sensitivity,” Chris said. Tonight the Kinnards will tolerate the famous flatulence of the bulldog breed.
There was no award for best accessory at Sunday’s event, but that honor would have likely gone to a dog named Jaggernaut Salas who sported a custom $700 Louis Vuitton collar and leash.
A bulldog named Ozzie’s owner Mike Giardina sported a pink boa shoulder pads and a captain’s hat. “I think Ozzie and Jaggernaut should become best buds,” Giardina said.
Four-year-old Allen Chen looked like a learned professor as he led a bulldog in a harness that said “Bad Ass.”
“It’s just the name of the harness,” Allen’s dad said. “The dog’s name is Honey.”
A pair of contestants check each other out during the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A contestant and her owner wait out a rain delay during the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Contestants butt heads on the runway during the National Bulldog Beauty Contest Sunday. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Tom Pazdernik’s pug named Taz was one of the contestants in the disabled dog division. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Ken Salas’ dog named Jaggernaut wore a custom $700 Louis Vuitton collar. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Though his leash says otherwise, Allen Chen’s dog is named Happy. They were competing at the16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday. Photo by Bill Alkofer.First place winner Chris Kinnard’s dog Bernard poses for a photo in the rain-soaked winner’s circle at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Rick Jordan’s dog Willa rolls along the runway during the handicapped division at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A pair of bulldogs waits for the competition to begin. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Bulldogs walk through the introductions at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A dog pauses during the introductions. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Talia Fillippelli plays with two dogs during the introductions at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A lad navigates his dog through the introductions. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Bulldogs mingle during the through the introductions at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park on Sunday. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A bulldog gives a loving gaze at its handler. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Winston pauses for a photo. Photo by Bill Alkofer.A spectator keeps herself dry at the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest. Photo by Bill Alkofer.The 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest was produced by Justin Rudd’s Haute Dogs organization. Rudd, above, served as the event emcee. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Several dogs paid tribute to Kobe Bryant at the contest. Photo by Bill Alkofer.Mike Giardina entered his dog Ozzie in the 16th annual National Bulldog Beauty Contest at Marine Stadium Park in Long Beach on Sunday, February 9, 2020. Photo by Bill Alkofer.
