NEW YORK CITY, New York: A Doberman pinscher named Penny strolled away with the honors this week at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

It won for veteran handler Andy Linton the U.S. show dogs' most coveted prize after nearly four decades. Linton won it in 1989 with another Doberman, named Indy.

Penny "is as great a Doberman as I have ever seen," Linton told an enthusiastic crowd. Despite his health issues, he guided the four-year-old dog through a flawless, sharply executed performance.

The runner-up, greeted with equally loud applause, was Cota, a Chesapeake Bay retriever. While Dobermans have won the competition five times, including the latest victory on March 3, no retriever has ever taken the title, so their supporters celebrate every promising moment.

Cota also seemed to enjoy the spotlight, especially when handler Devon Kipp Levy allowed him to play with the ribbon.

Other finalists included Zaida, an Afghan hound; JJ, a Lhasa apso; Cookie, a Maltese; Graham, an Old English sheepdog; and Wager, a smooth fox terrier. Judge David Fitzpatrick, a two-time Westminster-winning handler, described the lineup as one "that will go down in history."

Each dog is judged on how closely it matches the ideal standard for its breed. The winner receives a trophy, ribbons, and, above all, bragging rights.

Penny, a crowd favourite at the 2025 Westminster show, has continued to impress in the ring. During the early rounds, handlers and dog enthusiasts loudly cheered both the focused dog and Linton.

Afterward at ringside, Penny gently but persistently nudged a visitor's leg with her nose, apparently looking for attention, which turned out to mean pats. Linton later said she is usually "very chill," though she can get quite excited by a suspicious stranger or even a squirrel.

Co-owner Greg Chan of Toronto described Penny as "very demanding and very smart," but also eager to please—especially when food is involved. Asked about her favourite snack, he replied: "Everything."

Penny ultimately emerged as the winner after beating about 2,500 dogs representing more than 200 breeds at the show.

During the two nights of semifinals, spectators cheered especially loudly for Calaco, a hairless Xoloitzcuintli who trotted around the ring with total confidence. A vizsla named Beamer delighted the audience by hopping into a toolbox meant for his handler. Storm, a Newfoundland, drew laughs when he jumped up and stood as tall as his handler.

The crowd also roared for a golden retriever named Oliver, cheering so loudly that they drowned out the arena announcer. Meanwhile, chants of "Lumpy! Lumpy!" echoed through the arena as Lumpy the Pekingese paraded before the judge.

One dog that made history in the semifinals was Millie, a Danish-Swedish farm dog. The energetic breed became eligible for the Westminster show only this year, and Millie beat about 10 other farm dogs to advance to the evening round.