Penny Secures Best in Show at 150th Westminster Dog Show
Penny, a four-year-old Doberman Pinscher from Reseda, California, secured the Best in Show title at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. Handled by veteran Andy Linton, Penny was crowned on Tuesday evening.
Penny's victory marks the fifth time a Doberman Pinscher has won the competition's top prize.
The prestigious event featured approximately 2,500 dogs, representing 202 breeds and varieties, from all 50 U.S. states and 17 other countries.
Competition Overview
The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is one of the United States' longest continuously held sporting events. It commenced with agility and other sports events on Saturday, followed by breed judging on Monday and Tuesday.
Dogs were rigorously evaluated based on their adherence to the ideal standard for their breed. Judges considered aspects such as structure, movement, muscle tone, and overall presentation. The show culminated with seven group winners competing for the ultimate Best in Show award.
Finalists and Awards
Following two days of intense breed judging, seven dogs advanced to the final round. Penny, the Doberman Pinscher, was ultimately named Best in Show.
The coveted Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The other distinguished finalists included:
- Zaida, an Afghan Hound, a two-time World Dog Show winner.
- JJ, a Lhasa Apso, winner of the AKC National Championship.
- Cookie, a Maltese.
- Graham, an Old English Sheepdog, whose grandfather was a Westminster runner-up in 2013.
- Wager, a Smooth Fox Terrier.
The winner received a trophy, ribbons, and widespread recognition. While the victory does not include prize money, it significantly increases a dog's breeding value. Judge David Fitzpatrick, a two-time Westminster-winning handler, presided over the final evaluations.
A Historic Win: Doberman History and Handler's Triumph
Penny's official champion's name is GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds. Her victory is the fifth for a Doberman Pinscher at Westminster, with previous wins occurring in 1939, 1952, 1953, and 1989.
Handler Andy Linton is no stranger to Westminster success, having also handled Indy, a Doberman Pinscher that won Best in Show in 1989.
Linton, who has discussed living with Parkinson’s disease, stated that winning at the 150th edition of the show was a personal goal.
Co-owner Greg Chan described Penny as demanding, intelligent, and eager to please, particularly when food was involved. Linton further described Penny as a balanced Doberman Pinscher, exhibiting both approachability and protectiveness, noting her stellar performance despite previous health challenges.
Beyond the Best in Show: Noteworthy Moments
The 150th show included a special cultural tribute, featuring a video montage honoring actress Catherine O’Hara, renowned for her role in the dog show mockumentary "Best in Show."
A Danish-Swedish farmdog named Millie advanced to the evening rounds of the competition. This achievement was particularly notable as the breed became newly eligible for Westminster this year, with Millie emerging as the top dog among approximately 10 other farmdogs competing. Competitor Brita Lemmon, who also owns a Danish-Swedish farmdog, described the breed's establishment in the U.S. as a process that began when she acquired her first farmdog in 2000.
Other notable participants included Joseph Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Nevada, who competed with his Neapolitan Mastiff, Dezi. Natalee Ridenhour from Royse City, Texas, competed with Invictus, a 170-pound Boerboel. Celebrities Lydia Hearst and Chris Hardwick attended to support their Otterhound, Zoltar. Wilbur the Beagle, known from the Netflix drama "The Rip," competed with junior handler Charlotte Jones.
During the semifinals, crowd reactions were notably strong for several dogs, including Calaco, a Xoloitzcuintli; Beamer, a Vizsla; Storm, a Newfoundland; Oliver, a Golden Retriever; and Lumpy, a Pekingese. Many veteran Westminster handlers are married couples who skillfully navigate the demands of the show circuit while balancing their professional and personal lives.