Doberman Penny Wins Best‑in‑Show at 150th Westminster, Handler Linton’s Second Victory
Updated (6 articles)
Penny’s Historic Best‑in‑Show Victory On February 4, 2026, the four‑year‑old Doberman pinscher Penny captured the top honor at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show held at Madison Square Garden, earning the coveted Best‑in‑Show trophy and ribbons. Veteran handler Andy Linton celebrated his second Westminster win, his first coming in 1989 with another Doberman, Indy [1][2][3]. The win marks the first Best‑in‑Show for a Doberman since the breed’s earlier successes in the 1990s.
Finalist Field and Breed Representation Roughly 2,500 entries representing 212 AKC‑recognized breeds competed over two days before the judges narrowed the field to seven finalists: Penny (Doberman), Zaida the Afghan hound, JJ the Lhasa Apso, Cookie the Maltese, Graham the Old English Sheepdog, Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Wager the Smooth Fox Terrier [2][3][6]. The finalists reflected the show’s broad breed diversity, with each dog judged on how closely it matched its breed standard.
First‑Time Eligible Danish‑Swedish Farmdog Advances Millie, a Danish‑Swedish farmdog, became the first of her newly eligible breed to reach the evening round, beating about ten other farmdogs after the breed was accepted into Westminster for the first time in 2026 [1][2][3]. Her semifinal appearance highlighted the expanding breed roster and generated excitement among handlers and spectators alike.
Crowd‑Favorite Moments and Lesser‑Known Dogs Spectators cheered numerous non‑finalists, including Xoloitzcuintli Calaco, vizsla Beamer, Newfoundland Storm, golden retriever Oliver, and Pekingese Lumpy, whose playful antics drew loud reactions despite not advancing to the final round [1][2]. These moments underscored the show’s entertainment value beyond the formal competition.
Handler Stories and Personal Stakes Heavy‑equipment operator Joseph Carrero entered his 190‑pound Neapolitan mastiff Dezi, balancing a full‑time job with show preparation, while Natalee Ridenhour showcased her 170‑pound Boerboel Invictus, marking a personal milestone despite an early exit [2][3]. Andy Linton’s partnership with co‑owner Greg Chan, who described Penny as a “pleaser” eager for food, illustrated the deep bond between handler and dog [1].
Animal‑Welfare Controversy Surrounds Show PETA organized protests and billboard campaigns warning that “flat‑faced dogs struggle to breathe,” linking the event to its ongoing lawsuit against the American Kennel Club over breed‑related health concerns; the AKC labeled the case frivolous and seeks dismissal, while Westminster highlighted its donations to rescue groups and veterinary scholarships [6].
Sources
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1.
AP: Doberman Penny Wins Best in Show at 150th Westminster Dog Show: Details Penny’s victory, handler Andy Linton’s second win, runner‑up Cota, and Millie’s breed debut, plus colorful moments from other competitors .
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Doberman Penny Takes Top Honor at 150th Westminster Dog Show: Emphasizes the narrowing from 2,500 entries to seven finalists, lists all finalists, and notes Millie’s historic semifinal run .
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King5 (Seattle, WA): Doberman Penny Captures Best‑in‑Show at Westminster’s 150th Anniversary: Highlights the 150th anniversary significance, finalist diversity, Millie’s progress, and personal stories of Carrero and Ridenhour .
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AP: Westminster Dog Show Highlights Couples’ Partnerships and Canine Stars: Focuses on veteran handler couples, especially Bill and Taffe McFadden, and profiles finalists like Zaida and JJ, illustrating human‑dog partnerships .
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AP: Westminster Kennel Club Marks 150th Show in New York: Provides a photo‑rich overview of the opening days, agility finals, and a wide variety of breeds displayed throughout the event .
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AP: 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Kicks Off with Thousands of Competitors: Offers a comprehensive preview, including entry numbers, notable contenders such as Comet and Zaida, judging structure, and the PETA/AKC legal dispute .
Timeline
c. 1877 – The Westminster Kennel Club launches its first dog show, beginning a tradition that will celebrate a century‑and‑half of canine competition by 2026 [4].
1989 – Handler Andy Linton wins his first Westminster Best‑in‑Show with Doberman Indy, marking his debut victory at the historic event [1].
2025 – Giant Schnauzer Monty becomes the first of his breed to capture Best‑in‑Show, breaking the long‑standing dominance of Wire Fox Terriers and poodles [4].
Jan 31, 2026 – The Masters Agility Championship Finals open the 150th Westminster Dog Show, featuring Border Collies, English Springer Spaniels, Australian Shepherds and Papillons navigating high‑energy courses [3].
Feb 1, 2026 – Breed‑by‑breed conformation judging begins at the Javits Center and Madison Square Garden, with roughly 2,500 dogs from 212 breeds competing while handlers groom and transport their entries [4][3].
Feb 2, 2026 – Seven finalists—including Afghan hound Zaida, Lhasa Apso JJ, Maltese Cookie, Old English Sheepdog Graham, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Cota, Smooth Fox Terrier Wager, and Doberman Penny—compete for Best‑in‑Show in the evening round [5][6].
Feb 2, 2026 – Doberman Penny wins Best‑in‑Show, giving veteran handler Andy Linton his second Westminster victory and the top honor at the 150th anniversary show [1][5][6].
Feb 2, 2026 – Co‑owner Greg Chan describes Penny as a “pleaser” who will do anything for food, noting her favorite snack is “everything” [1].
Feb 2, 2026 – Afghan hound Zaida reaches the finals, and handler Willy Santiago says he’d waited “this day for all my life” to showcase his champion [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Danish‑Swedish farmdog Millie becomes the first of its newly eligible breed to advance to the evening round, highlighting the breed’s recent acceptance into Westminster [1][5][6].
Feb 2, 2026 – Veteran handler Bill McFadden says dating a fellow handler means “being with someone you can actually coexist with—constantly,” underscoring the partnership culture among top competitors [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – Randy Huelsemann adds that participants “do it for just the love of it, for something to do together,” reflecting the passion driving many handlers [2].
Feb 2, 2026 – PETA stages protests and billboards warning that “flat‑faced dogs struggle to breathe,” tying the demonstrations to its ongoing lawsuit against the AKC over breed‑related health concerns; the AKC labels the case frivolous and seeks dismissal [4].
2026 and beyond – The AKC pledges to continue defending against the PETA lawsuit while promoting responsible breeding, rescue‑group donations, and veterinary scholarships, as stated by President Donald Sturz [4].
External resources (1 links)
- https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/viewing-schedule/ (cited 1 times)