Penny the Doberman Claims Westminster Crown at Historic 150th Show

A Triumphant Return After 37 Years

The most coveted prize in American dog showing returned to familiar hands Tuesday night as Penny, a four-year-old Doberman Pinscher, claimed Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show . What made this victory even more remarkable was her handler: Andy Linton, who had guided another Doberman named "Indy" to Westminster glory back in 1989, returning 37 years later to win again .

Despite health problems, Linton guided the four-year-old dog through an impeccably crisp performance . The emotional handler told the crowd that as he's winding down his career, winning at the milestone 150th annual Westminster show is "extra-special" . "You can't attribute it to one thing, but she is as great a Doberman as I've seen," Linton said after Penny's win .

The Doberman has won Best in Show at Westminster a total of five times: in 1939, back-to-back in 1952 and 1953, in 1989 with Linton, and now in 2026 with Linton again . This milestone makes Penny the 42nd female to win Best in Show and the first Doberman since 1989 .

Elite Competition at Madison Square Garden

Judge David Fitzpatrick, a two-time Westminster-winning handler himself, called the lineup one "that will go down in history" . Penny came out on top after 2,500 dogs, spanning more than 200 breeds, strutted their stuff at the show .

The seven finalists represented the pinnacle of their respective groups: an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham, and a smooth fox terrier called Wager . Reserve Best in Show went to Chesapeake Bay Retriever "Cota," who made history as the first Chesapeake Bay Retriever to ever win Reserve Best in Show at Westminster .

Penny entered Westminster as the winner of 65 Best in Shows as of December 2025, with continued top placements in January 2026 . A crowd favorite at the 2025 Westminster show, Penny has rocked show rings since .

Behind the Scenes of a Champion

Beyond her show ring excellence, Penny reveals a more playful personality. Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto said Penny is "very demanding and very smart," but she's also "a pleaser — she'll do anything for food" . When asked about her favorite snack, Chan simply replied "Everything" .

She's generally "very chill," Linton said later, "but she can get pumped up for a bad guy. Or a squirrel" . Ringside afterward, Penny politely but pointedly nudged her nose into a visitor's leg, looking for something — pets, as it turned out .

The Westminster show's history dates back to 1877, making it the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, second only to the Kentucky Derby . For all but 11 of its 150 years, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been held at Madison Square Garden .

A Legacy Continues

The 2026 Westminster show also marked several historic firsts. One dog that made history in the semifinals was Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, whose small, spry breed just became eligible for the Westminster show this year . The event showcased the evolving nature of dog showing while honoring its rich traditions.

For Penny and Linton, this victory represents more than just another trophy. It's a testament to the enduring bond between handler and dog, the culmination of decades of dedication, and proof that sometimes the best stories are worth waiting 37 years to tell. As Westminster enters its next 150 years, Penny's triumph will be remembered as a defining moment when experience, excellence, and heart converged on the sport's biggest stage.