Penny, a 4-year-old Doberman pinscher, captured Best in Show Tuesday night at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, earning the sport’s most prestigious title and adding a milestone victory to handler Andy Linton’s long career. Linton, who first won Best in Show in 1989 with a Doberman named Indy, said the milestone event made the achievement especially meaningful as he slows down his professional showing schedule. Penny handled the spotlight despite earlier health issues, delivering a precise, composed performance in the final ring.
The runner-up was Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever whose handler, Devon Kipp Levy, let him savor the moment by playing with his ribbon. Retrievers have never claimed Westminster’s top prize, so Cota’s strong finish drew enthusiastic support from fans hoping to see the breed break that mark.
Other dogs in the Best in Show line-up were an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog known as Graham, and a smooth fox terrier called Wager. Judge David Fitzpatrick, himself a two-time Westminster winner, described the final group as one that will be remembered in the event’s long history. Dogs are judged on how closely they match their breeds’ written standards, and the champion receives a trophy, ribbons and wide acclaim from the dog-show community.
Penny has been a favorite since the 2025 Westminster show and drew big cheers during early rounds on Tuesday. Ringside moments showed the dog to be friendly and unbothered by the commotion; Penny nudged a visitor in search of attention and, according to Linton, is generally relaxed but can become animated for a perceived threat or a squirrel. Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto described Penny as demanding, sharp and very food-motivated, adding that she will work for nearly any treat.
This year’s Westminster field included roughly 2,500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds and varieties. While most entries never reach the final ring, many provided memorable, crowd-pleasing moments across the two nights of competition. A hairless Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco strutted confidently and won loud approval. A vizsla called Beamer amused spectators by hopping into a handler’s tool box, and Storm the Newfoundland generated laughs by standing up on a handler and towering over the crowd. Fans cheered so enthusiastically for a golden retriever named Oliver that they briefly drowned out the arena announcer. The appearance of Lumpy the Pekingese prompted chants of the dog’s nickname as he paraded before a judge.
A small milestone for the sport occurred in the semifinals when Millie, a Danish-Swedish farmdog, became the first of that newly eligible breed to reach the evening competition, beating about 10 other farmdogs to advance.
Westminster often features professional handlers and multi-generational kennels, but first-time exhibitors also make an impression. Joseph Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Indian Springs, Nevada, competed with Dezi, his Neapolitan mastiff. Carrero said he had wanted the breed since his teens, finally acquiring one at age 35. He now breeds and handles Neapolitan mastiffs while balancing full-time work and shows.
Some entries reflected personal stories as much as show ambitions. Natalee Ridenhour of Royse City, Texas, credited Boerboels with changing her life, including how she met her late husband and why she moved from the city to a farm. On Tuesday she and Invictus, a 170-pound Boerboel, made an appearance at Westminster. The dog did not advance, but the crowd delighted in petting the massive, gentle animal. Ridenhour said moments like that are part of the real reward, noting the joy of dozens of people bending down to give him affection.
For Penny and her team, Tuesday’s victory added another chapter to Westminster lore and provided a fitting capstone to the historic 150th edition of the show.