This 'Pattaya', at least, is no eyesore
A Thai-owned dog has won the second-runner up prize in an international beauty pageant for pooches in Poland.
"She beat more than 20,000 other contestants," Nanta Tansacha said yesterday after being recognised as the owner of one of the world's most beautiful dogs.
Nanta said she had named the dog, a Maltese, "Pattaya" because the word would remind people of Thailand. However, the pretty white dog competed under the name "BEACH GIRL Funny Ladies".
"Pattaya" emerged in first place after the Best of Group 9, before she landed in the second runner-up spot during the Best-In-Show category.
A total of 21,600 canine contestants participated in the World Dog Show from November 9 to November 12.
"Pattaya" had already claimed prizes at five top pageants in the United States. The World Dog Show is considered the biggest pageant of its kind for dogs. "Her father was also the No 1 champion in the US pageant," said Nanta, an executive at Nong Nooch Village in Chon Buri's Pattaya district.
Nanta sent "Pattaya" and the dog's brother, "Superstar", to the World Dog Show. The male Maltese claimed a top prize in the Toy category.
At the World Dog Show, a Thai dog, Mae-Raming Tharua, won the best-of-breed World Winner 2006 prize in the Thai Ridgeback dog category. Somsak Kunthana is the owner. - The Nation
