When Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were joined on the New York red carpet last night by a largely-hairless pooch with a long tongue drooping out of her mouth, some eyebrows may have been raised.
But for four-year-old Peggy, it marked the latest chapter of an extraordinary life so far.
This is a dog that has been widely described as Britain’s ugliest – even taking the unfortunate crown in an official poll last year.
She began life as the runt of an accidental litter, before being adopted by Holly Middleton, from Leven, East Yorkshire when she was six months old.
But the pug and Chinese Crested cross – or pugese – is now one of the stars of Marvel’s upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine film, even wearing her own costume.
Peggy, a pug and Chinese Crested cross – or pugese – was officially voted in as the most unsightly pooch in the country last year
The unusual dog looked right at home on the red carpet as she posed in front of the cameras with co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman who smiled proudly with Peggy
Peggy the dog attends the premiere of Deadpool and Wolverine and poses for the cameras
Ryan Reynolds dotes over Peggy, who is the ‘UK’s Ugliest Dog’
Cast members Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds, holding Britain’s ugliest dog Peggy
Peggy the Dog attends the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Premiere in New York
Peggy was enlisted to join the cast of the upcoming Marvel film when Reynolds spotted the dog. She is seen in a scene of the upcoming movie
Rather than feeling self-conscious about her quirky looks, Peggy – encouraged by her doting owner – struts about with pride.
The unusual dog looked right at home on the red carpet as she posed in front of the cameras.
In Peggy’s honour, the HMV in Oxford Street has even replaced it’s dog-and-gramophone logo with one including the dog.
Peggy was adopted by Ms Middleton, 36, when she was just six-months-old, due to her ‘quirky’ appearance.
Her owner admitted to the BBC that her pup is like ‘Marmite’, and that people either love or hate the pooch.
She entered Peggy in the competition for Britain’s ‘Ugliest Dog’ and won the prize of a grooming session ad photoshoot.
The pup is no stranger to the limelight and has earned herself strange looks, gasps and remarks when they pair go on their walks.
Ms Middleton even admitted that her own children were ill at ease with Peggy’s looks at first, with her eldest son being embarrassed with how the unique dog compares to his friends’ fluffy pets.
In Peggy’s honour, the HMV in Oxford Street has even replaced it’s dog-and-gramophone logo with one including the dog
Peggy, who plays ‘Dogpool’ in Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine at the World Premiere, New York
The pup is no stranger to the limelight and has earned herself strange looks, gasps and remarks when being walked around the neighbourhood
Peggy is seen in her superhero costume being doted upon by Reynolds and Jackman
Reynolds seems to be protective of little Peggy, seen jokingly sheltering her from the cameras
The children eventually changed their mind about the dog, who has become an important part of the family.
While Peggy is not much of a looker, Ms Middleton says her unusual appearance doesn’t stop her from living life to the fullest.
‘It has always been like that but it doesn’t stop her from doing anything, she can eat she can drink, it does go in her mouth, it just doesn’t stay there,’ she said.
She was drawn to Peggy when she found her at a shelter’s website when the pup was just six-months-old.
‘I just love anything that is a bit unloved and unusual, so when I saw her on the adoption website I knew I wanted to take care of her.’
Meanwhile she explained that whilst naming her had been a challenge, because no name suited the pet, she and her grandmother eventually settled down on ‘Peggy’.
They settled on the name in tribute to her great-grandmother.
Peggy the tiny dog is pictured next to the sign for her upcoming movie
Hugh Jackman pets Peggy aka Dogpool at the UK press event for the Marvel movie
Matthew Macfadyen, Rob Delaney, Louis D’Esposito, Co-President, Marvel Studios, Ryan Reynolds, Peggy the dog, Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Hugh Jackman, Shawn Levy, Emma Corrin, Leslie Uggams and Wendy Jacobson
Reynolds seems to be protective of the little dog, seen kissing her head while at an event
Despite Peggy’s crown, Ms Middleton told the BBC she thinks the dog is ‘beautiful inside and out’.
When people call her beloved pet ugly, she said she doesn’t take offence, and neither does Peggy, because it’s always ‘in a humorous way’.
Peggy was enlisted to join the cast of the upcoming Marvel film when Reynolds spotted the dog.
Despite being a fan of huge, fluffy canines – as evidenced by his pets Baxter, Billie and Boots – he knew he wanted to act with this dog.
Speaking to Empire Magazine, he said she felt ‘like the animal manifestation’ of Deadpool’s alter ego Wade Wilson.
She began as a ‘tiny little afterthought’ but soon became a ‘staple’ of the film.
Cast members Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Delaney and Britain’s ugliest dog Peggy, pose for a photo in London
She began as a ‘tiny little afterthought’ but soon became a ‘staple’ of the film
Reynolds said she felt ‘like the animal manifestation’ of Deadpool’s alter ego Wade Wilson
Despite being a fan of huge, fluffy canines – as evidenced by his multitude of dogs owned by him and Blake Lively – he knew he wanted to act with Peggy the ugliest dog (not pictured)
Reynolds seems to be protective of the little dog, seen kissing her head while at an event for the movie.
He was heard saying: ‘She won ugliest dog in Britain, but we’re not telling her that, because she is a 10 in our hearts. She is really, truly amazing and we love her very, very much.’
Blake Lively – who Reynolds has been married to since 2012 – also gushed over the canine.
She jokingly posted on Instagram after the event: ‘SOS. He’s trying to get me pregnant again.
‘Put the dog that you find adorable in spite of societal K9 expectations away and take off the damn teal suit! Rude.’
Lively is also a dog-lover, owning a teacup Maltipoo called Penny, who she takes everywhere with her.