The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has come to a close; the prestigious Best in Show honor has been awarded to one amazing dog — Penny the Doberman Pinscher.
The 2026 show marked the event’s sesquicentennial. The Westminster Dog Show, now running for 150 years, is the second-longest continuous sporting event in the U.S. As USA Today reports, what started with a Masters Agility Championship and various exhibitions on Saturday concluded on Monday and Tuesday with the group judging to narrow the field down to the all-important Best in Show proceedings.
In the Best in Show round, the 4-year-old Penny, whose show name is GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, competed against six other talented canines who won Best in Group in their respective groups before arriving at the final round judged by David Fitzpatrick. The judge mentioned the 2026 line-up of Best Show finalists would “go down in history” as one of the most impressive.
As People magazine reports, for the 2026 Westminster Dog Show, Penny triumphed over 3,000 other dogs — representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 17 additional countries — from 202 breeds to take home the coveted Best in Show purple ribbon and trophy with the help of her handler, Andy Linton. Linton is no stranger to winning with a Doberman; the last time the breed won Best in Show at Westminster, in 1989, it was Linton who handled the winning pooch, Indy.
Penny was declared winner of the Working group earlier on Tuesday. In the Best of Show judging, she was up against Graham the Old English Sheepdog (Herding), JJ the Lhasa Apso (Non-sporting), Cookie the Maltese (Toy), Zaida the Afghan Hound (Hound), Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Sporting) and Wager the Smooth Fox Terrier (Terrier).
This marks the fifth time a Doberman has won Best in Show in Westminster’s 150 years, and the first since Royal Tudor’s Wild As The Wind in 1989. Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was named Reserve Best in Show, or first runner-up.
Penny the Doberman takes the Best in Show Title from Monty the Giant Schnauzer, who made history in 2025 by becoming the first of his breed to win Best in Show at Westminster.
But Penny wasn’t Westminster’s only winner at the 2026 show. Prove-It, the Border Collie, went home with the Masters Agility Champion title by whipping through Westminster’s obstacle course in 29.81 seconds.
After a night of rest, Penny will enjoy a day of press and attention on Feb. 4, including a winner’s feast at Peak with Priceless at Edge NYC, located on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards.
—
Photo Credit: a katz / Shutterstock.com