‘A breeder’s dream’: Penny the Doberman pinscher’s family reflect on Westminster Kennel victory

Theresa Connors-Chan, owner of Penny - the Canadian winner of Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Dog Show - say the win was 'a breeder’s dream.'

Penny the Doberman pinscher is looking forward to a life of relaxation, volunteering and producing puppies, now that her professional career has peaked and she’s settling into retirement.

The four-year-old, Ontario-based canine won best in show this week at the 150th Westminster Dog Show – the highest honour in the world of dog showing. Her family and handlers, Greg Chan and Theresa Connors-Chan, told CTV Your Morning on Friday that the big win has been “overwhelming and very, very surreal.”

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“This win is a breeder’s dream,” Chan said. “This is the Super Bowl of dog shows. We’re very fortunate that we’re able to win it.”

Chan admitted that the competition is more about the prestige than the prizes, which included “some very nice silverware.”

Penny came out on top after 2,500 dogs, spanning more than 200 breeds, strutted their stuff at the show earlier this week.

Penny’s family knew the day she was born that their dog had something special.

“She’d always demanded attention, so it was all about her,” said Chan. “Every breed has a standard, and she just fit that standard, and we just saw a lot of potential in her as she matured.”

When she isn’t competing, Penny enjoys spending her time outside, running around and playing. Now that she’s taken the top prize as a show dog, Penny will settle into retirement, which Connors-Chan said involves doing therapy dog volunteer work, and being bred.

“She enjoys meeting strangers, and then being pet by strangers, so I think she’ll really enjoy that,” she said. “And hopefully later this year she’ll have some babies.”

Chan and Connors-Chan have decided Penny will only be bred twice, and will live the rest of her life “on the couch.”

“She’s just a sweet kid,” said Chan. “She just wants love.”