NEW YORK — A Doberman pinscher named Penny won best in show Tuesday night at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, netting U.S. Show dogs’ most coveted prize. The win also marks a milestone for veteran handler Andy Linton, who previously won the competition in 1989 with another Doberman, Indy.
Penny bested six other finalists at New York’s Madison Square Garden, according to reports. Each dog is judged according to how closely it matches the ideal for its breed.
“Penny is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen,” Linton told a supportive crowd. Despite ongoing health problems, he guided the 4-year-old dog through a remarkably crisp performance. He added that winning at the 150th annual Westminster show is “extra-special” as he nears the end of his career.
The runner-up was a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Cota, receiving cheers nearly as loud as those for Penny. While Dobermans have now won the competition five times, no retriever has ever claimed the top prize.
Other finalists included an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham, and a smooth fox terrier called Wager.
More than 3,000 dogs representing over 200 breeds competed over two nights, with the competition divided into seven groups: hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier. One winner from each group then competed for Best in Show.
Spectators were charmed by several dogs throughout the competition. A hairless Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco garnered loud cheers for his confident demeanor, while a vizsla named Beamer amused the audience by hopping into a box set out for his handler’s tools. Storm the Newfoundland elicited laughs by jumping on his handler, nearly matching her height, and a golden retriever named Oliver drew such enthusiastic applause that he drowned out the arena’s announcer. Chants of “Lumpy! Lumpy!” echoed as Lumpy the Pekingese strolled before a judge.
This year’s show also saw the debut of the Danish-Swedish farmdog breed, with Millie becoming the first of her kind to compete at Westminster.
The show also highlighted the dedication of amateur handlers, such as Joseph Carrero, who competes with his Neapolitan mastiff, Dezi. Carrero, a heavy equipment operator from Nevada, began showing dogs after acquiring his first Neo and now breeds and handles them himself.
Natalee Ridenhour and her Boerboel, Invictus, also made an impression, with Ridenhour noting that the attention Invictus received was a win in itself.
Penny receives a trophy, ribbons, and bragging rights for her win.
