Temecula Dog Handler, Former Dog Show Winner, Judges Junior Handlers At 150th Westminster Dog Show

TEMECULA, CA — Longtime dog handler, one-time Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Winner and Temecula resident Valerie Nunes-Atkinson helped judge a field of 99 Junior Showmanship entrants at the recent 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held Feb. 4 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In the Junior Showmanship competition, Hadrian Towell, handling his Manchester Terrier named Simon, won the title of Best Junior Handler. Hadrian, whose dog is officially known as GCHG CH Passport Sunkissed It's A Yes From Me Bonchien, topped a field of 99 entrants. Judges Mr. Jason Hoke and Mrs. Nunes-Atkinson determined the finalists, with Mr. Michael Faulkner judging the final rounds.

Ms. Nunes-Atkinson won the Best Junior Handler award when she was a mere 15 years old, according to the WKC. Her favorite memory, according to her biography, is winning Best in Show with her home-bred German Shorthaired Pointer, CJ.

The 140th #WKCDogShow Best in Show winner is the German Shorthaired Pointer! pic.twitter.com/1h4BydWLm9
— Westminster Kennel Club (@WKCDOGS) February 17, 2016

She reflected on this year's assignment, saying:

“The return to Madison Square Garden is so sentimental. It brings me back to that 10-year-old girl who made her first trip to New York to compete in Junior Showmanship and watch all the beautiful dogs. It was then that my dreams were born. Someday, I wanted to be in that center ring.”

As the 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Best Junior Handler, Hadrian Towell will receive a $10,000 scholarship award for post-secondary schooling. Other finalists also received scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Junior Showmanship assesses the handling skills of children aged 9 to 18 and has been a part of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show since 1934, according to a recent news release.

So, who won the national competition?

Penny, a Doberman Pinscher, was named Best in Show at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 4, 2026. Handled by Andy Linton, Penny, officially known as GCHP CH Connquest Best Of Both Worlds, competed against over 2,500 entries in the conformation show. The event's Best of Breed judging took place from February 2 to February 3 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with the Group and Best in Show competitions.

David Fitzpatrick of East Berlin, PA, a two-time Westminster Best in Show-winning breeder-owner-handler, judged this year's Best in Show competition. Cota, a five-year-old male Chesapeake Bay Retriever, officially known as GCHP CH Next Generation's Accelerate, was awarded Reserve Best in Show. Cota was handled by Devon Kipp Levy.

Prior to the Best in Show announcement, the Westminster Kennel Club presented awards for the Sporting, Working, and Terrier Groups. Cota, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, won the Sporting Group under judge Mr. Douglas Johnson.

Penny, the Doberman Pinscher, secured the Working Group title under judge Mrs. Sioux Forsyth-Green. The Terrier Group was won by Wager, a two-year-old male Smooth Fox Terrier, handled by Amy Rutherford and judged by Ms. Polly Smith.