The star of the night was Penny, and the significance of her victory was immeasurable. A stunning Doberman pinscher named Penny clinched the coveted Best in Show title at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday evening, marking a remarkable achievement for U.S. show dogs. This win brought longtime handler Andy Linton another triumph after nearly forty years; he previously captured the same title in 1989 with another Doberman named Indy.
Linton praised Penny, declaring, “She is as exceptional a Doberman as I have ever encountered,” to the enthusiastic audience. Despite facing health challenges, he skillfully led the four-year-old dog through an outstanding performance, showcasing their strong bond. “I had some personal goals, and this was definitely one of them,” he mentioned, adding that claiming victory at the historic 150th Westminster show is particularly meaningful as he approaches the latter stages of his career.
The runner-up, receiving just as much applause, was Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever. While Dobermans have celebrated five wins, including this one, no retriever has ever won the title, prompting their supporters to cheer for every positive sign.
Cota also savored the moment, especially when his handler, Devon Kipp Levy, allowed him to frolic with his ribbon. Other finalists included an elegant Afghan hound named Zaida, a charming Lhasa apso called JJ, a delightful Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog known as Graham, and a smooth fox terrier named Wager. The judge, David Fitzpatrick, who has previously won at Westminster twice, described the lineup as one that “will go down in history.”
Each dog is judged based on how closely it aligns with the breed’s ideal standards, with the winner awarded a trophy, ribbons, and—of course—bragging rights.
Penny, already a crowd favorite from the 2025 Westminster show, has impressed audiences consistently. A bustling crowd of handlers and dog lovers rallied behind her and Linton during the early rounds on Tuesday afternoon. Afterward, Penny sweetly nudged her nose against a visitor’s leg, clearly seeking affection—her favorite reward. “Generally, she is quite relaxed,” Linton shared, “but she can become quite excited when it comes to a perceived threat or even a squirrel.”
Penny’s co-owner, Greg Chan from Toronto, described her as “very smart and demanding,” but also a “pleaser who will do anything for food.” When asked about her favorite treat, he jokingly stated, “Everything!”
Securely standing out among a remarkable lineup of 2,500 competing dogs from over 200 breeds, Penny emerged victorious at the show. Even those that didn’t reach the finals provided countless entertaining moments and laughter.
Over the course of two semifinal nights, spectators cheered especially loud for a Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco, a confident hairless dog who navigated the ring with remarkable poise. A vizsla named Beamer won hearts as he playfully jumped into a tool box set out for his handler, while Storm, the Newfoundland, made audiences chuckle by standing tall next to his handler. The cheers escalated for a golden retriever named Oliver, whose fanfare drowned out the arena’s announcer, and chants of “Lumpy! Lumpy!” erupted as Lumpy the Pekingese strutted before the judges.
A historic moment was created by Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, who, having just become eligible for the Westminster show this year, triumphantly outperformed ten other farmdogs to advance into the evening round.
While Westminster wins often fall to dogs with professional handlers or owners boasting decades of experience, simply reaching this prestigious event is a significant achievement, especially for newcomers like Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi.
Having long desired a Neapolitan, Carrero finally welcomed one into his life at the age of 35. A heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, he initially began showing Dezi due to the breeder’s encouragement. Now, Carrero actively breeds and presents his Neos in the ring, all while juggling a demanding job.
“This is quite challenging for us, but it’s truly rewarding; both he and I enjoy it,” Carrero commented as onlookers gathered around to meet the friendly, 190-pound dog.
In an intriguing twist, Boerboels—a powerful breed originating from South Africa—played a pivotal role in how Natalee Ridenhour first met her late husband and eventually led her to transition from city life to a farm in Royse City, Texas.
On Tuesday, Ridenhour and her Boerboel, Invictus, participated in the Westminster show, an event she once never imagined attending. Although Invictus didn’t progress past the initial round, Ridenhour beamed, “Honestly, the true victory is that you’re about the 50th person to come down and shower him with love.”
