Westminster Dog Show: Doberman Named Penny Wins All-Breed Conformation Competition

A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. show dogs’ most coveted prize — and giving veteran handler Andy Linton another win after nearly four decades. Linton got best in show in 1989 with another Doberman, named Indy. “I had some goals, and this was one of them,” Linton said, adding later in a conversation with reporters that as he's winding down his career, winning at the milestone 150th annual Westminster show is “extra-special.” Runner-up went to a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Cota. While Dobermans have won five times, no retriever has ever won. Each dog is assessed according to how closely it matches the ideal for its breed. The winner gets a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights. Penny came out on top after 2,500 dogs, spanning more than 200 breeds, strutted their stuff at the show.

Penny, a doberman pinscher, poses for photos with handler Andy Linton, after winning Best in Show of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Penny, a doberman pinscher, gets a kiss from handler Andy Linton after winning Best in Show of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Penny, a doberman pinscher, competes in the Best in Show judging of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

George, an Australian terrier, competes in the terrier group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Wager, a smooth fox terrier, competes in the terrier group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Graham, an old English sheepdog, walks around the ring for the Best in Show competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Zaida, an Afghan hound, competes in the Best in Show competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

A Lagotto Romagnolo named "Boardwalk Here Comes the Sun" competes in the sporting group of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Cookie, a Maltese, competes in the Best in Show judging of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Christian Stoinev performs with his chihuahua, Scooby, during the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

Bugga, a Dogue de Bordeaux competes in the working group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

A Chesapeake Bay retriever named Next Generation's Accelerate, or Cota, grabs the blue ribbon from his handler after winning the sporting group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

A Cocker Spaniel, Laurent's High Life, competes in the sporting group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura

A handler guides Hillcock's Burl Oak through the ring during the sporting dog group competition of the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. | Photo: AP/Yuki Iwamura