Penny the Doberman won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club finals held at Madison Square Garden, prevailing over the seven group champions in the prime time ring.
The four year old, known in competition as GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, emerged from the Working Group and beat finalists from the Hound, Toy, Non Sporting, Herding, Sporting and Terrier groups, as reported in coverage of the event.
Judge David Fitzpatrick, who selected the winner, said the 2026 lineup was one "that will go down in history," as reported by multiple outlets, and handlers and fans loudly cheered the final placements.
Andy Linton handled Penny to the title, and he told reporters "She is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen," as reported, noting he previously won Best in Show with a Doberman in 1989.
Reports of the field size varied, with several accounts saying Penny beat roughly 2,500 dogs and at least one report placing entries above 3,000 and representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 17 additional countries.
After the win Penny received the Best in Show purple ribbon and trophy, and coverage said she was scheduled for a day of press plus a winner's feast at Peak with Priceless at Edge NYC, according to event reporting.
Other Winners And Show Highlights
Reserve Best in Show went to Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who won the Sporting Group, and whose runner up finish drew sustained cheers, as reported.
The other group winners who reached the final round were Zaida the Afghan Hound, Cookie the Maltese, JJ the Lhasa Apso, Graham the Old English Sheepdog and Wager the Smooth Fox Terrier, according to event accounts.
Coverage highlighted the show as the event's sesquicentennial, marking the 150th edition and noting Westminster's status as the second oldest continuously held sporting event in the US after the Kentucky Derby, as reported by multiple outlets.
Reporters also described moments beyond conformation judging, including Prove It the Border Collie winning the Masters Agility Championship, a newly eligible Danish Swedish farmdog named Millie advancing, and several crowd pleasing performances during the semifinals.
Media accounts repeated that Penny's temperament off ring was relaxed and food motivated, and that owners and breeder partners were preparing for the traditional publicity appearances and for Penny to return to life with her breeder owners in Toronto, as reported.
