The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has announced its Best in Show winner: a Doberman Pinscher named Penny. She earned the top honor at the 150th annual event, which took place over three days and concluded on Sunday. As the second-oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States, after the Kentucky Derby, the show featured dogs from across the country competing at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
According to ABC7NY, Penny the Doberman was selected over six other finalists, including an Afghan Hound named Zaida, a Lhasa Apso named JJ, and a Maltese named Cookie. Each dog was judged based on how closely it matched the standard for its breed. Penny ultimately took the top honor among more than 2,500 dogs representing over 200 breeds.
This year’s Best in Show was judged by David Fitzpatrick, a breeder-owner-handler who has previously won Westminster’s Best in Show twice, as reported by USA Today. The competition featured more than 3,000 champion dogs from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 17 other countries, and included events such as agility and obedience competitions.
Francis Sparagna, Diana Sparagna, Theresa Connors-Chan, and Gregory Chan, Penny’s owners, won the Best in Show trophy, making Penny the fifth Doberman to receive the title in Westminster’s 150-year history. The last Doberman to win was in 1989. The event also featured lighter moments, including a hairless Xoloitzcuintli named Calaco walking confidently in the ring and a golden retriever named Oliver receiving loud cheers that temporarily overpowered the arena’s announcer, as reported by ABC7NY.
The show also highlighted participants such as Joseph Carrero and his Neapolitan Mastiff, Dezi. Carrero, who began showing the breed at the suggestion of a breeder, balances a full-time job as a heavy equipment operator with raising and presenting Neapolitan Mastiffs in competitions. He told ABC7NY that, despite the challenges, both he and Dezi enjoy the experience. Westminster serves not only as a competition for champions but also as a showcase of the bond between owners and their dogs.
