At the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, a doberman pinscher named Penny was crowned Best in Show, marking a historic moment for the breed. After two days of judging and roughly 2,000 dogs whittled down to seven group winners, judges selected Penny over crowd favorites such as an Old English sheepdog and a Chesapeake Bay retriever. It is the first time a Doberman has taken Best in Show at Westminster since 1989.
For many observers the win felt like a kind of redemption for a breed long cast as intimidating. Penny’s handler, Andy Linton, describes her as “very chill,” underscoring that many modern Dobermans are affectionate family pets, therapy dogs and comfort companions rather than the fearsome caricatures sometimes seen in media.
The Doberman’s stern reputation traces back to its origins: the breed was developed by a tax collector named Doberman who wanted a vigilant, deterrent companion. Features such as cropped ears and docked tails, and the dog’s early use as a protector, helped build a tough public image that showed up in cartoons and pop culture.
Penny’s victory put a spotlight on the breed’s elegance, temperament and beauty, encouraging people to rethink assumptions. If anything, her Best in Show title is a reminder not to judge a dog by its reputation—or its ears.