Linda,
I know exactly what you mean! My dog is cute in an ugly kind of way. -- Ahh -- but she'll win you over in a heartbeat as she gently paws at you to pet her.
She knows how to: crawl on the floor, shake, beg, lay dow, roll over, sit, play dead, turn around. We're working on "moonwalk" - she knows how to do it; just not on command.
Us die hard dog lovers know beauty is only skin deep. If you saw Jazz you'd say what kind of ugly a$$ dog is that? If you met her, she'd have you won over in less than 10 seconds - guaranteed!
Good luck with the new dog! My other dog is a terrorist - that's why she doesn't get much press.
Chris