In a remarkable victory for Canadian canine excellence, Penny, a Doberman pinscher born in Canada, has captured the prestigious Best in Show title at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The event, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on February 3, 2026, saw Penny triumph over approximately 2,500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds.
A Veteran Handler's Triumphant Return
The win marks a significant milestone for veteran dog handler Andy Linton, who guided Penny through what observers described as a razor-crisp performance. Linton, who previously won Best in Show in 1989 with another Doberman named Indy, told the crowd that Penny "is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen."
"I had some goals, and this was one of them," Linton later told media representatives. He noted that he was winding down his dog handling career, making this victory at the historic 150th Westminster show particularly meaningful.
Penny's Canadian Connection
Penny's success carries special significance for Canadian dog enthusiasts as she maintains strong connections to the country. The Doberman was born in Canada and has a Toronto co-owner, Greg Chan, who described her as "very demanding and very smart" while also being a "pleaser" who will do "anything for food."
When asked about Penny's favorite snack, Chan simply responded, "Everything," highlighting the champion's enthusiastic personality.
Competition Details and Runner-Up
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show judging process evaluates how closely each dog matches the ideal standards for its specific breed. Penny's victory earned her handler a trophy, ribbons, and significant bragging rights in the competitive dog show world.
Taking second place at the famed competition was Cota, a retriever from Chesapeake Bay. Other finalists included Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa apso, Cookie the Maltese, Graham an English sheepdog, and Wager the smooth fox terrier.
Penny's Personality and Performance
Those familiar with Penny describe her as generally "very chill" but capable of getting "pumped up for a bad guy. Or a squirrel," according to Linton. The Doberman had been a crowd favorite at last year's Westminster show and has demonstrated consistent excellence in show rings since that time.
Throughout the competition, other dog handlers and canine fans alike cheered on the focused Doberman pinscher, recognizing her exceptional qualities and performance.
Additional Canadian Success Stories
Penny wasn't the only Canadian dog to achieve recognition at the Westminster dog show. According to the Canadian Kennel Club, ten other dogs made their mark on the green carpet with notable achievements:
- Best of Breed: Kunik the American Eskimo (Sharon Robertson and Graeme Burdon)
- Best of Opposite Sex: Sage the American Eskimo (Sharon Robertson and Graeme Burdon)
- Best of Opposite Sex: Kinslee the Bearded Collie (Dawn Robitalliem and Deborah Furlow)
- Select Dog: Brabus the Border Collie (Zihui Lin and Yuan Wang)
- Best of Opposite Sex: Capri the Border Collie (Zihui Lin and Yuan Wang)
- Best of Breed: Quiche's Vogue Covergirl the Bouvier des Flandres (Elaine and Louise Paquette)
- Select Dog: Tag the Bulldog (Lisa S. Bosada, Amanda Mcallister and Tammy Mcallister)
- Select Dog: Radar the Havanese (Bev Dorma and E Dorma)
- Best of Opposite Sex: Cloud the Ibizan Hound (Jean-Christophe Boulinguez and Dawne Deeley)
- Select Bitch: Valencia the Shetland Sheepdog (Hanna Campbell)
This impressive showing demonstrates the strength of Canadian breeding programs and handling expertise in the competitive world of dog shows. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show remains one of the most prestigious events in canine competition, drawing top dogs and handlers from across North America and beyond.
