2026 Westminster Dog Show crowns Doberman pinscher as Best in Show
Feb 4, 2026, 12:49 PM | Updated: 4:31 pm
The 150th Annual Westminster Dog Show was Wednesday, and the Best in Show was awarded to Penny the Doberman pinscher!
The Best in Show title is the top honor of the dog show, whose goal is to highlight and evaluate the breeding stock used by responsible breeders in preserving and producing the next generation of purebred dogs.
The 4-year-old won the title after earlier on winning the Best Working Dog title and is the fifth time that a Doberman has claimed that title in the event’s 150 years.
Second place, or Reserve Best in Show, went to Cota the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 03: Penny the Doberman Pinscher and trainer Andy Linton pose for photos after winning the Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2026 in New York City. More than 3,000 dogs from all 50 states competed in the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The breeds were divided into seven groups: hound, toy, non-sporting, herding, sporting, working and terrier, with one winner from each group competing for Best in Show. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 03: Cota, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, 1st place winner of Sporting Group, competes during the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Junior Showmanship, Group Judging (Sporting, Working, Terrier) + Best In Show at Madison Square Garden on February 03, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Westminster Kennel Club)
