Doberman SHOCKS Madison Square Garden — 37-Year Drought ENDS

A four-year-old Doberman Pinscher just made history at Madison Square Garden, claiming the crown at America’s most prestigious dog show while her handler closed out a 37-year career circle that few in the canine world will ever match.

Story Snapshot

Penny the Doberman Pinscher won Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, defeating over 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds
Handler Andy Linton secured his second Westminster victory, matching his 1989 win with another Doberman named Indy, making this triumph particularly poignant as he nears retirement
The victory marks the first Westminster Best in Show for a Doberman in 37 years and the first female Doberman winner in 42 years
Reserve Best in Show went to Cota, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, though no retriever has ever claimed the top prize in Westminster history
Judge David Fitzpatrick called the finalist lineup one that will go down in history at this milestone 150th edition of America’s oldest continuously held dog show

A Handler’s Perfect Farewell

Andy Linton stood in the ring at Madison Square Garden on February 3, 2026, holding the leash of a Doberman Pinscher he called the greatest he had ever seen. The veteran handler had won Westminster once before in 1989 with a Doberman named Indy, and now, 37 years later, he was back with Penny. Linton described the win as “extra-special” given the 150th anniversary and his approaching retirement. The symmetry was almost too perfect: same breed, same venue, same ultimate prize, bookending a career most handlers only dream about achieving once.

Breaking a Four-Decade Drought

Penny, officially registered as GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, became the fifth Doberman Pinscher to win Best in Show at Westminster and the first female of her breed to do so in 42 years. The four-year-old from Reseda, California, had already turned heads as a crowd favorite at the 2025 Westminster show. Her path to victory began at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center with Best of Breed judging on February 2, followed by her Working Group win under judge Sioux Forsyth-Green on Tuesday afternoon, competing against 32 other dogs in her category.

The Final Seven and a Historic Decision

Judge David Fitzpatrick, himself a two-time Westminster winner, evaluated seven finalists in the Best in Show ring that Tuesday evening. Penny faced Cota, a five-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who earned Reserve Best in Show; Zaida, an Afghan hound; JJ, a Lhasa apso; Cookie, a Maltese; Graham, an Old English sheepdog; and Wager, a Smooth Fox Terrier. Fitzpatrick praised the lineup as one that would be remembered in Westminster history. The competition was fierce, but Penny’s razor-crisp performance, described by Linton despite her recent health issues, ultimately convinced the judge she embodied the Doberman breed ideal better than any competitor embodied theirs.

What Makes a Champion Tick

Co-owner Gregory Chan from Toronto described Penny as demanding, smart, and eager to please, three characteristics that serve working breeds well in the show ring. Linton noted she was food-motivated yet maintained a chill demeanor that kept her alert without anxiety. Westminster judges evaluate dogs solely on conformation, meaning how closely each animal matches the American Kennel Club standards for their breed. Over 2,500 champions competed across more than 200 breeds, with newcomers like the Danish-Swedish farmdog making their Westminster debut alongside traditional favorites like the hairless Xoloitzcuintli that always draws crowd reactions.

The Retriever That Almost Made History

Cota’s Reserve Best in Show finish was itself noteworthy. The five-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, handled by Devon Kipp Levy and owned by a group including Melissa Schumann, came closer than any retriever ever has to claiming Westminster’s top honor. No retriever of any variety has won Best in Show in the competition’s 150-year history, making Cota’s strong showing a point of pride for Sporting Group enthusiasts. His defeat underscores how Westminster judging favors dogs that perfectly exemplify their breed standard, and on this night, Penny simply outshone every other finalist in that crucial measure.

Beyond the Ribbon and Trophy

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, founded in 1877, remains the longest continuously held dog show in the United States. The event’s prestige draws handlers, owners, and breeders who view simply qualifying as a major achievement. Linton emphasized that Dobermans excel not just in the show ring but also as therapy and service dogs, highlighting the breed’s versatility and temperament. The win will likely boost interest in Doberman breeding and handling, particularly given Penny’s resilience through health challenges that Linton referenced but did not detail. For the owners, Francis and Diana Sparagna and Theresa Connors-Chan alongside Gregory Chan, the victory represents something priceless: validation that their investment in bloodlines, training, and care produced a dog that met the exacting standards of America’s most demanding canine competition.