Penny the Dobermann Wins Best in Show at 150th Westminster Dog Show

Handler Andy Linton calls the win his "Super Bowl" after 37 years since his first Westminster victory

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Penny the Dobermann pinscher won best in show at the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, besting six other finalists. Her handler, Andy Linton, called the win his "Super Bowl" moment, 37 years after his first Westminster victory. The best in show judge, David Fitzpatrick, praised Penny as "absolutely near perfect" and said the win was a career-capping triumph for Linton as he deals with Parkinson's disease.

Why it matters

The Westminster Dog Show is one of the most prestigious dog competitions in the world, with a history dating back to 1877. Winning best in show is a lifelong dream for many dog handlers and owners, making Penny's victory a major accomplishment in the dog show community.

The details

Penny's win was Linton's second Westminster best in show title, coming 37 years after his first. Linton said the victory was like an "NFL player dreaming about winning the Super Bowl." Best in show judge David Fitzpatrick, a two-time winner himself, praised Penny as "absolutely near perfect" and said the win was a career-capping triumph for Linton as he deals with Parkinson's disease.

  • Penny won best in show on Tuesday at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
  • Linton's first Westminster best in show win was 37 years ago.

The players

Penny

A Dobermann pinscher who won best in show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Andy Linton

Penny's handler, who called the win his "Super Bowl" moment and won his second Westminster best in show title, 37 years after his first.

David Fitzpatrick

The best in show judge, who praised Penny as "absolutely near perfect" and said the win was a career-capping triumph for Linton as he deals with Parkinson's disease.

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What they’re saying

“All of us that do this dream about winning this. You know, just like an NFL player dreams about winning the Super Bowl. This is our Super Bowl.”

— Andy Linton, Handler (cbsnews.com)

“She was so excellent. And she also stole my heart.”

— David Fitzpatrick, Best in show judge (cbsnews.com)

“Your heart skips a beat to see something absolutely near perfect that nature could, you know, be so kind to let happen.”

— David Fitzpatrick, Best in show judge (cbsnews.com)

The takeaway

Penny's victory at the 150th Westminster Dog Show represents the culmination of a lifelong dream for her handler, Andy Linton, who called it his "Super Bowl" moment. The win also highlights the prestige and significance of the Westminster competition within the dog show community.