Doberman Pinscher Penny Wins 150th Westminster Show

NEW YORK — Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden, the air was electric with anticipation. The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a milestone event in the world of canine competition, culminated with a Doberman pinscher named Penny taking home the coveted Best in Show prize. For Penny, a four-year-old with a gleaming black coat and an unflappable demeanor, the victory was more than just a trophy—it was a moment that crowned her as one of the greats in American dogdom.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is no ordinary contest. As the second-longest continuously held sporting event in America—second only to the Kentucky Derby—it’s steeped in tradition and prestige. This year, more than 2,500 dogs representing over 200 breeds strutted their stuff across two days of rigorous breed and group judging, all vying for the chance to stand in the spotlight at Madison Square Garden. According to AKC, the show returned for the second year to its iconic venue after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making the 2026 event feel all the more special.

Penny’s handler, Andy Linton, is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Nearly four decades ago, in 1989, Linton also claimed Best in Show at Westminster with another Doberman named Indy. For Linton, now in the twilight of his career and facing ongoing health challenges, this win was particularly poignant. “I had some goals, and this was one of them,” Linton told a supportive crowd, his voice tinged with emotion. Later, he reflected, “You can’t attribute it to one thing, but she is as great a Doberman as I’ve seen.”

The competition this year was fierce, with a lineup that judge David Fitzpatrick—himself a two-time Westminster-winning handler—described as “maybe the best lineup I could ever imagine.” Fitzpatrick, hailing from East Berlin, Pennsylvania, had the honor of judging Best in Show, a role he called a “full circle moment.” He explained, “It’s very exciting just to be a part of the 150th anniversary show, but to judge Best in Show really makes it a full circle moment. I know what the Best in Show winner is going to feel, and it’s going to change their life.”

The seven group winners who advanced to the final round were a testament to the diversity and excellence of the field. Alongside Penny, the finalists included Afghan Hound Zaida, Lhasa Apso JJ, Maltese Cookie, Old English Sheepdog Graham, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Cota, and Smooth Fox Terrier Wager. Each dog was judged according to how closely it matched the ideal for its breed—a process that requires both technical precision and an eye for that indefinable spark.

Runner-up honors, or Reserve Best in Show, went to Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who made history as the first of his breed to ever reach this level at Westminster. The crowd’s cheers for Cota were nearly as loud as those for Penny, and the retriever seemed to revel in the moment, especially when his handler, Devon Kipp Levy, let him play with the ribbon. As Associated Press noted, although Dobermans have now won Best in Show five times—including back-to-back victories in the early 1950s and Linton’s own 1989 triumph—no retriever has ever won the top prize at Westminster. Cota’s achievement as Reserve Best in Show was a breakthrough, and fans of the breed celebrated every encouraging sign.

Other dogs left their own marks on the event, even if they didn’t make it to the final seven. The semifinals were packed with memorable moments: a Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a hairless dog with a swagger that said he had nothing to prove, drew extra-loud cheers. A vizsla named Beamer delighted the audience by hopping into a box meant for his handler’s tools, and Storm the Newfoundland earned laughs when he jumped up on his handler, standing almost as tall as she did. Spectators cheered so enthusiastically for a golden retriever named Oliver that they drowned out the arena announcer, and chants of “Lumpy! Lumpy!” echoed as a Pekingese named Lumpy made his way before the judge.

History was also made by Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog. This small, spry breed only became eligible for the Westminster show this year, and Millie bested about ten other farmdogs to advance to the evening round. “It’s been a very exciting journey” to establish the breed in the U.S., Brita Lemmon, who competed with another farmdog named Coyote, told BBC.

While many Westminster winners come from lines handled by professionals with decades of experience, the show also celebrates the passion of first-time competitors. Joseph Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, brought his Neapolitan mastiff Dezi to the show after longing for a “Neo” since his teenage years. “It’s really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it,” Carrero told Reuters as visitors gathered to greet his 190-pound, jowly companion. Similarly, Natalee Ridenhour and her Boerboel named Invictus traveled from Royse City, Texas, to compete, even though they didn’t advance past the first round. “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him,” Ridenhour said with a smile.

Penny’s own story is a blend of talent and personality. Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto described her as “very demanding and very smart,” but also “a pleaser—she’ll do anything for food.” Her favorite snack? “Everything,” Chan laughed. Despite her generally “very chill” demeanor, handler Linton noted that Penny “can get pretty pumped up for a bad guy. Or a squirrel.”

After two days of intense competition, Penny emerged as the top dog, winning not only the judges’ approval but also the hearts of the crowd and her fellow competitors. For Linton, Penny’s victory at the milestone 150th Westminster show was “extra-special.” As the crowd celebrated, Penny herself seemed content to nudge visitors for a few extra pets—a champion, but still a dog at heart.

With this victory, Penny joins a storied list of Westminster Best in Show winners, her name etched alongside legends of the past. For her handler, her owners, and her fans, the triumph was more than a win—it was a moment of joy, pride, and a testament to the enduring bond between people and their dogs.