Doberman Penny Wins Westminster After 37-Year Wait

After 37 years of waiting, veteran dog handler Andy Linton stood in the spotlight at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, holding the leash of America's newest top dog.

Penny, a four-year-old Doberman pinscher from California, earned best in show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York. The sleek black-and-rust beauty beat out six other champions, including a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Cota who took second place to roaring crowd approval.

For Linton, the win carries extra meaning. He last won Westminster's top prize in 1989 with another Doberman named Indy, and has been open about his battle with Parkinson's disease as he approaches retirement.

"I had some goals, and this was one of them," Linton said after the victory. Winning at the milestone 150th edition made the triumph "extra-special," he told reporters.

Penny started the competition facing tough odds. She was one of roughly 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds representing all 50 states and 17 countries, including Peru, Chile, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Judges assessed each dog on how closely it matched the ideal standard for its breed, examining structure, movement, muscle tone, and presentation. While there's no prize money, the best in show ribbon dramatically increases breeding value and remains the most coveted honor in American dog shows.

Sunny's Take

Behind Penny's championship poise lives a personality that's pure goofball. Co-owner Greg Chan described her as "very demanding and very smart," but also food-motivated in the most relatable way possible.

Her favorite snack? "Everything," Chan said with a laugh.

Linton emphasized that Penny embodies the true Doberman spirit. "She's friendly. Any one of you could come up here and she'd try to get you to pet her, but if you were a burglar, you wouldn't come in our house," he explained.

The evening also honored the late Catherine O'Hara, who passed away last week at 71. Westminster played a video tribute to the beloved actress, famous for playing dog owner Cookie Fleck in the 2000 mockumentary "Best in Show."

This marks the fifth time a Doberman has won Westminster's top prize, with the breed originally developed in late 19th-century Germany for protection work. Dobermans later gained prominence serving alongside the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II.

One beautiful full-circle moment made Linton's second Westminster crown even sweeter at the show's historic 150th anniversary.