Penny the Doberman Triumphs at Westminster Dog Show
In a moment of canine excellence, a Doberman pinscher named Penny captured the prestigious title of Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. The event, held on February 3, 2026, marked a significant achievement for both Penny and her seasoned handler, Andy Linton, who previously won the same honor in 1989 with another Doberman, Indy.
Penny, described by Linton as “as great a Doberman as I have ever seen,” delivered an outstanding performance despite facing health challenges. Linton, reflecting on his career, noted, “I had some goals, and this was one of them,” adding that the milestone win at the 150th show was “extra-special.”
Runner-up honors went to a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Cota, who received enthusiastic support from the audience. While Dobermans have claimed the top prize five times, no retriever has yet achieved this distinction at Westminster.
The judging panel, led by two-time Westminster-winning handler David Fitzpatrick, praised the lineup of finalists, which included breeds such as the Afghan hound, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Old English sheepdog, and smooth fox terrier. Each dog was judged based on how well it matched the ideal characteristics of its breed.
Penny, a crowd favorite since the 2025 show, demonstrated her composed nature throughout the competition. Linton described her as “very chill,” although she can “get pretty pumped up for a bad guy. Or a squirrel.” Penny’s co-owner, Greg Chan from Toronto, highlighted her intelligence and eagerness to please, noting she’ll do “anything for food,” with a preference for “everything.”
The event saw over 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds compete, providing plenty of memorable moments. A Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a Vizsla named Beamer, and Storm the Newfoundland were among the dogs that entertained the audience with their antics. A golden retriever named Oliver and a Pekingese called Lumpy also captured the crowd’s affection.
In a historic moment, Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, advanced to the evening round, marking the breed’s first year of eligibility at Westminster. Meanwhile, first-time participants like Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi, celebrated their inclusion in the prestigious competition.
For Natalee Ridenhour, attending with her Boerboel, Invictus, the experience was about more than just competition. Although Invictus did not progress past the first round, Ridenhour cherished the opportunity for others to interact with the 170-pound dog, remarking, “Honestly, the big win is: You’re about the 50th person who’s gotten down in his face and loved on him.”
Yuki Iwamura/AP
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
