It was a big night in the Big Apple for dog lovers! Penny the Doberman Pinscher pulled off a huge win last night, taking home Best in Show at the 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Penny the Doberman Takes Best in Show
Penny beat out nearly 2,500 other dogs at Madison Square Garden to grab the top spot. It was a historic night for a few reasons: she’s the 42nd female to win, and it’s the first time a Doberman has won the whole thing since 1989. Interestingly, the same handler, Andy Linton, was behind both of those wins.
Having grown up with an incredibly affectionate Doberman, I love seeing the breed take the top spot. They’re stunning dogs, and when well-trained and properly socialized, they can be total sweethearts. Like kids, dogs thrive when they’re raised with consistency, structure, and love.
Penny’s Handler, Andy Linton said, “She is as great a Doberman as I’ve ever seen.”
The Winning Lineup
Judge David Fitzpatrick had the tough job of picking one winner from the seven group champions. While Penny took the crown, Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever earned the runner-up spot (Reserve Best in Show).
Here’s a quick look at the “best of the best” who made it to the final ring:
| Group | Winner | Breed |
| Working | Penny | Doberman Pinscher |
| Sporting | Cota | Chesapeake Bay Retriever |
| Herding | Graham | Old English Sheepdog |
| Hound | Zaida | Afghan Hound |
| Non-Sporting | JJ (“Jingle Juice”) | Lhasa Apso |
| Terrier | Wager | Smooth Fox Terrier |
| Toy | Cookie | Maltese |
This year was marked the 150th anniversary of Westminster, making it one of the oldest sporting traditions in the country. According to the judge, this specific lineup of finalists was one for the history books, not to mention purely adorable. Check out some photos below from the daytime activities at the Javits Center.
This story first appeared on our sister publication newyorkfamily.com.
