Posted: December 5, 2008, 5 a.m. EST
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Best Dressed winner Willow is pictured wearing her Chillybuddy cooling jacket. |
The nation’s best and worst dressed dogs were revealed Nov. 28 in Glendale, Calif., as part of Alpha Dog Public Relations’ Top 10 Best & Worst Dressed Dogs in America contest.
Dog lovers across the country cast their vote for 10 canine contenders who were fashion leaders in 2008. The decisions were based on style, originality of dress, practicality of the clothes worn, and the dog’s character and community service.
The big winner – claiming first place as the Best Dressed Dog – was Willow, a 14-year-old Labrador Retriever and 9/11 search-and-rescue dog. Her Chillybuddy jacket, used for cooling down SAR dogs, won her points for fashion and function. Willow was flown across the country to make an appearance at the announcement on Black Friday at the Glendale Galleria. Dog lovers were able meet and greet the winner in person.
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Worst Dressed winner Tinkerbelle is pictured with her owner, Paris Hilton. |
The winner of the not-so-coveted title of Worst Dressed Dog was Tinkerbelle, the famous Chihuahua owned by Paris Hilton. Voters did not approve of Hilton using her pet as an accessory, subjecting Tinkerbelle to matching ensembles on the red carpet. This seemed to be a general critique by voters. Dogs wearing over-the-top outfits ranked among the lowest: a mixed breed in a tutu, another dressed as Napoleon, a Maltese in purple dress and matching bow, and a Yorkshire Terrier in a Swarovski crystal and pearl-adorned faux fur coat.
Other notable contestants included: Preston Casanova, the Pomeranian from the TV show “Greatest American Dog,” a longhaired Chihuahua donning an eco-friendly sweater, a Jack Russell Terrier modeling a platinum blond wig, and Chloe, the Chihuahua from the film “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.”
See all of the winners in the video below.
Katy French is the assistant editor of DOG FANCY magazine.