Penny cashes in as Westminster Dog Show’s Best in Show

Dog
Westminster Dog Show NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 03: Penny the Doberman Pinscher poses for photos after winning the Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2026 in New York City. More than 3,000 dogs from all 50 states competed in the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The breeds were divided into seven groups: hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier, with one winner from each group competing for Best in Show. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

It was time for a change at the Westminster Dog Show as Penny the Doberman pinscher won Best in Show, the first of the breed to do so in 37 years.

She beat an Afghan hound, an Old English sheepdog and a fox terrier, among others, for the crown, The New York Times reported.

Second place, called Reserve, was won by Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever.

The Times said Cota held the ribbon in its mouth and paraded around the arena before dropping it.

Dog

But it was Penny and her handler, Andy Linton, who won. It was the second time Linton won. He also won back in 1989 with another Doberman.

Linton told the crowd that Penny, “is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen,” The Associated Press reported.

He told reporters, “I had some goals, and this was one of them,” sharing that he is coming to the end of his career.

Westminster is, according to the AP, “the U.S. show dogs’ most coveted prize.”

Dogs are judged on how closely they match their breed’s ideal.

Penny, who beat out 2,500 other dogs across 200 breeds, is co-owned by Greg Chan of Toronto.

This was the fifth win for a Doberman at the Westminster Dog Show in the event’s 150th year.

On AirSTAR 94.5 - Orlando's Only R&B Logo

Star Cares

STAR Cares is an exclusive Community Affairs initiative of STAR 94.5, committed to enriching the lives of African-Americans in our community who need to be informed and benefit from programs targeting Education, Health and Financial Literacy