Doberman Breaks 37-Year Westminster Curse

A four-year-old Doberman Pinscher named Penny made history at Madison Square Garden, capturing Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and proving that excellence, dedication, and traditional values still triumph in America’s most prestigious canine competition.

Story Highlights

Penny becomes the first Doberman to win Westminster in 37 years, defeating over 2,500 dogs from more than 200 breeds
Veteran handler Andy Linton secures his second Westminster victory, bookending a distinguished career that began with another Doberman win in 1989
The historic 150th edition showcases American excellence in purebred dog standards and traditional judging criteria
Penny’s victory represents the fifth Best in Show win for Doberman Pinschers, reinforcing the breed’s legacy of strength and discipline

Historic Victory at Milestone Westminster Event

Penny, officially registered as GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, claimed the top prize at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 3, 2026. The four-year-old female Doberman from Reseda, California, competed against more than 2,500 champion dogs representing over 200 breeds at Madison Square Garden. Judge David Fitzpatrick, himself a two-time Westminster winner, selected Penny from a final lineup that included a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Afghan hound, Lhasa apso, Maltese, Old English sheepdog, and Smooth Fox Terrier. This victory marks only the fifth time a Doberman has won America’s longest continuously held dog show, founded in 1877.

Veteran Handler Achieves Career-Defining Moment

Handler Andy Linton guided Penny to victory, securing his second Westminster Best in Show win after his 1989 triumph with another Doberman named Indy. Linton described the win as fulfilling “long-held ambitions” and called Penny “as great a Doberman as I have ever seen.” The timing proves significant as Linton approaches retirement, making this milestone event an ideal capstone to his distinguished career. Co-owner Gregory Chan from Toronto praised Penny’s intelligence and work ethic, noting she is “demanding, smart, a pleaser” who “does anything for food.” The partnership between experienced handler and exceptional dog exemplifies the dedication required for success at this elite level of competition.

Traditional Standards Prevail in Modern Competition

Westminster’s conformation judging evaluates how closely each dog matches established breed standards, a process that honors traditional criteria developed over generations. Penny first won the Working Group under judge Mrs. Sioux Forsyth-Green before advancing to Best in Show consideration. The competition unfolded across two days, with Best of Breed judging at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on February 2, followed by group competitions and the final Best in Show judging at Madison Square Garden. This rigorous process ensures only dogs meeting the highest standards advance, preserving breed integrity and excellence. The 150th edition also featured newly eligible breeds like the Danish-Swedish farmdog, demonstrating how traditional institutions can evolve while maintaining core standards.

Doberman Breed Excellence Restored After Decades

Penny’s victory ends a 37-year drought for Doberman Pinschers at Westminster, the breed’s last win coming with Linton’s Indy in 1989. Dobermans previously won in 1986 and earlier years, establishing a legacy of excellence at America’s premier dog show. Owners Francis Sparagna, Diana Sparagna, Theresa Connors-Chan, and Gregory Chan overcome past health challenges with Penny to achieve this triumph. The win boosts visibility for a breed known for loyalty, intelligence, and protective instincts—qualities that resonate with Americans who value strength and vigilance. Reserve Best in Show went to Cota, a five-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever handled by Devon Kipp Levy, marking strong representation for sporting breeds despite no retriever ever winning Westminster’s top prize.