Penny the Doberman Claims Top Prize at Historic Westminster Kennel Club Show
In a moment of pure canine excellence, a Doberman pinscher named Penny emerged victorious at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, securing the coveted Best in Show title on Tuesday night. The win represents a significant milestone for both the talented dog and her experienced handler, Andy Linton, who previously triumphed with another Doberman back in 1989.
A Veteran Handler's Triumphant Return
Andy Linton, a seasoned professional with nearly four decades of experience in the show ring, guided the four-year-old Penny through a flawless performance despite facing ongoing health challenges. "Penny is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen," Linton told an enthusiastic crowd after the win. He added, "I had some goals, and this was one of them," highlighting the personal significance of this achievement.
This victory marks the fifth time a Doberman has claimed the Westminster Best in Show title, continuing the breed's impressive legacy at this prestigious event. Penny's win comes after she gained popularity as a crowd favorite during the 2025 Westminster show, demonstrating her consistent excellence in competitive circles.
Strong Competition and Memorable Moments
The competition featured formidable contenders, with runner-up honors going to Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever who received equally enthusiastic applause from spectators. While retrievers have never won the Westminster Best in Show, Cota's strong performance and playful interaction with his ribbon captured the audience's hearts.
Other finalists in this elite competition included:
- Zaida, an Afghan hound
- JJ, a Lhasa apso
- Cookie, a Maltese
- Graham, an old English sheepdog
- Wager, a smooth fox terrier
Each dog was meticulously evaluated based on how closely they matched their breed's ideal standards, with the winner earning not only trophies and ribbons but also the distinction of triumphing at the milestone 150th annual Westminster show.
Behind the Scenes with Penny
Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto described Penny as "very demanding and very smart," but noted she's also "a pleaser — she'll do anything for food." When asked about her favorite snacks, Chan simply responded, "Everything," revealing the food-motivated personality behind this champion dog.
Following her victory, Penny demonstrated her friendly nature by politely nudging her nose into a visitor's leg, seeking affection and pets from admirers. This endearing behavior contrasted with her razor-crisp performance in the show ring, showcasing the multifaceted personality of this exceptional canine.
Colorful Characters and Historic Firsts
The two-day event featured approximately 2,500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds, with numerous memorable moments occurring throughout the competition. Even dogs who didn't reach the finals created lasting impressions:
- Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli, confidently circled the ring as if he had nothing to prove
- Beamer, a vizsla, charmed spectators by hopping into his handler's tool box
- Storm, a Newfoundland, generated laughter when he stood nearly as tall as his handler after jumping up
- Oliver, a golden retriever, received such enthusiastic cheers that they drowned out the arena announcer
- Lumpy, a Pekingese, prompted chants of his name as he strolled before the judges
The semifinals also witnessed historic moments, including Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, advancing to the evening round. This small, spry breed only became eligible for Westminster competition this year, making Millie's achievement particularly noteworthy.
Diverse Participants and Personal Stories
While Westminster victories often go to dogs with professional handlers or owners boasting generations of experience, simply qualifying for this elite, champions-only show represents a major accomplishment. First-time participants like Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi, demonstrated the dedication required to compete at this level.
Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, began showing dogs only because his breeder encouraged him to do so. "It's really hard for us to do this, but we enjoy it, and he enjoys it," Carrero explained as visitors gathered around his 190-pound dog.
Another compelling story emerged from Natalee Ridenhour, who competed with Invictus, a Boerboel originally bred as a guard dog in South Africa. Although Invictus didn't advance past the first round, Ridenhour found victory in the experience itself. "Honestly, the big win is: You're about the 50th person who's gotten down in his face and loved on him," she remarked as a visitor delighted in petting the 170-pound animal.
The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show ultimately celebrated both competitive excellence and the special bond between humans and their canine companions, with Penny the Doberman pinscher standing as the pinnacle of this year's achievements.
