Express & Star

Patch crowned ‘beautiful bulldog’ at Drake University event

The two-year-old English bulldog beat 28 other contestants from six states to win the top prize.

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Patch sits on the throne after being crowned the winner of the 44th annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest

Patch, sporting a jean jacket as she strutted down the runway, has been crowned the winner of Drake University’s Beautiful Bulldog Contest.

The two-year-old English bulldog beat 28 other contestants from six states on Monday night to win the top prize.

The bulldog is Drake’s mascot and the contest kicks off the Drake Relays track and field competition happening later this week.

Christina DePrann, of Fonda, Iowa, sits with her bulldog Poncho during the 44th annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest
Christina DePrann, of Fonda, Iowa, sits with her bulldog Poncho during the 44th annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Events will take place at the university’s stadium just west of Des Moines city centre.

Patch’s entry seemed to get a boost when she carefully ambled through a hoop on the runway, bringing cheers from a crowd of spectators.

Her owners, Jennifer Hinton and Joel Kornder of Johnston, Iowa, said they had worked on the hoop routine for months ahead of the competition.

“I heard about the contest when I moved to Des Moines this past summer and I knew I had to enter Patch,” Ms Hinton said.

Shelly Vandenberg gets her bulldog Thor ready for judging
Shelly Vandenberg gets her bulldog Thor ready for judging (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

“She is the epitome of the bulldog breed and we’re so proud of her all the time – but especially today.”

After being named the winner, Patch traded in her denim for a satin cape and crown, befitting her role as the Drake Relays mascot and the university’s bulldog representative for the next year.

Patch is a rescue dog and was among nine rescues who competed.

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