Brushing, panting, licking and leaping: Here’s what we saw backstage, where show dogs could let their fur down before taking to the ring.

Penny the doberman pinscher was named Best in Show at the 150th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, winning the most prestigious honour in US dog shows.

Four finalists already have been chosen: an Afghan hound named Zaida, a Lhasa apso called JJ, a Maltese named Cookie, and an old English sheepdog dubbed Graham.