LA WeeklyClick photos for entire Creative Poodle Grooming + Bulldog Beauty Contest slideshow.
By Adam Gropman
Former Alabaman Justin Rudd is a dog lover, pet photographer, long distance runner, professional singer, creator of the “30 Minute Beach Cleanup,” founder and director of the non-profit organization Community Action Team (CAT) and, did I mention dog lover? Among Rudd's many admirable pursuits and accomplishments, he's organized a “Haute Dog Pageants and Pet Adoption Fair“- which includes a “Bulldog Beauty Contest“- in a pleasant coastal park in his current home of Long Beach.
While it's called the “Bulldog Beauty Contest” – and has separate categories for French and English bulldogs, the contest also has categories on the red carpet for pugs and “senior dogs” – canines over eleven. The spirited event had the feeling of a mini “dog Woodstock” or “pup-alooza” of sorts. Scads of diverse, good-natured folks brought their leashed dogs with them and enjoyed fellowship with other “dog people,” the chance to peruse the many portable booths selling every pet-related product you might think of, from doggie clothes to special artificial grass and, of course, the down and dirty, high-powered raw competition of a big time dog contest! These animals may not be quite as elite as supermodels, but they are probably a lot less high-strung and undoubtedly eat better.
There is no rule against wheeled transportation in the competition; Credit: Adam Gropman
A distinguished family… and their humans; Credit: Adam Gropman
All hail the new dog royalty! Bow down and kiss her paw!; Credit: Adam Gropman
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