Penny The Doberman Is America’s Greatest Dog

Under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, a four-year-old Doberman Pinscher named Penny claimed Best in Show on Tuesday night, sealing a dramatic finale to the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and delivering a long-awaited personal milestone for her handler, Andy Linton.

Penny, officially known as GCHP CH Connquest Best of Both Worlds, emerged from a field of more than 2,500 dogs representing over 200 breeds. Calm, precise, and visibly unshaken by the occasion, she drew sustained applause as she advanced through the competition, culminating in a decisive Best in Show performance.

For Linton, the victory carried particular weight. Widely respected in the sport, he last won Westminster’s top prize in 1989 with another Doberman. “I had some goals, and this was one of them,” he said, calling the win at the show’s 150th anniversary “extra-special” as he nears the later stages of his career.

Penny earned her place in the final by winning the Working Group earlier in the evening, then outperformed six other group winners for the sport’s highest honor. Reserve Best in Show went to Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, whose runner-up finish drew warm applause and underscored that breed’s continued pursuit of a first Westminster title.

The win marked the Doberman Pinscher’s fifth Best in Show victory in Westminster history, adding 2026 to a lineage that stretches back to 1939. Judges and spectators alike appeared struck by Penny’s composure, particularly given the noise and spectacle of the historic venue.

Following the competition, Penny appeared unfazed during a live television interview alongside Linton and her owner, Rachel Adams, reinforcing the steady temperament that defined her run through the show.

As the Westminster Kennel Club marked its 150th year, Penny’s victory served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of purebred competition—an exhibition of disciplined breeding, expert handling, and a partnership refined over years of quiet preparation.