Brush Prairie man wins Westminster best in show with Doberman

Andy Linton overcame Parkinson's symptoms to guide Penny to victory 37 years after his first Westminster win.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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After nearly four decades of pursuing the Westminster Kennel Club best in show title, Brush Prairie, Washington dog handler Andy Linton finally returned to the pinnacle, winning with four-year-old Doberman pinscher Penny. The triumph marks a stunning return to the winner's circle for Linton, who last won the coveted title in 1989 with another four-year-old Doberman named Indy.

Why it matters

Linton's path to Westminster glory was complicated by a personal health challenge, as he was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease a couple of years before the competition. Rather than retreating, Linton found purpose in Penny, who helped him overcome his physical limitations and motivated him through the progression of his condition.

The details

When airlines refused to transport Penny due to the cold temperatures, Linton and his fiancé drove from Brush Prairie, Washington, to New York City in just two-and-a-half days. Penny came to Linton as a winner, but had never won a best in show at any competition. Under his guidance, she transformed into a dominant force in the dog show world, racking up 67 best in show wins before retiring to her owners in Toronto, Canada.

  • Linton last won the Westminster best in show title in 1989.
  • Linton was diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson's disease a couple of years before the 2026 competition.
  • Linton and his fiancé drove from Brush Prairie, Washington, to New York City in just two-and-a-half days to get Penny to the 2026 Westminster show.

The players

Andy Linton

A dog handler from Brush Prairie, Washington who has pursued the Westminster Kennel Club best in show title for nearly four decades, winning it in 1989 and again in 2026 with Doberman pinscher Penny.

Penny

A four-year-old Doberman pinscher who helped Linton overcome his Parkinson's disease symptoms to win the 2026 Westminster best in show title, 37 years after Linton's first victory.

Indy

A four-year-old Doberman pinscher that Linton handled to win the Westminster best in show title in 1989.

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What they’re saying

“Not everybody who does a great job gets to win Westminster.”

— Andy Linton, Dog handler (kgw.com)

“Penny was cool in that I was so excited about her, that I put off worrying about Parkinson's because I was showing her almost every week. For a couple of years, she was my motivating force and kind of got me through it as it progressed and it's gotten worse.”

— Andy Linton, Dog handler (kgw.com)

“At the dog show for best in show, I had so much adrenaline flying through me and my dog was behaving so perfectly for me. We kind of helped each other I think. That trip running around the ring, I felt like 30 years ago and just the high I was feeling. I felt like I had thousands of friends in the stands supporting us. I felt great. I didn't feel stiff or feel shaky or anything.”

— Andy Linton, Dog handler (kgw.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Linton's inspiring journey to the top of the dog show world, overcoming a Parkinson's diagnosis with the help of his champion Doberman Penny, demonstrates the power of perseverance, passion, and the bond between a handler and their dog.