Meet Junior Handler Kole Brown – American Kennel Club

Eggheaded and muscular, the Bull Terrier is “full of fire but of sweet disposition,” according to its breed standard — and it takes a handler who truly understands the breed to show one at its best.

“They are ornery, and they are clownish,” says 14-year-old Kole Brown, who shows his family’s Bull Terriers and Miniature Bull Terrier in conformation and AKC Junior Showmanship. They’re robust dogs with silly, unpredictable antics, and an unconventional choice for the Juniors ring. But Kole’s got some terrier traits in him too — fun-loving, a little stubborn, and not one to shy away from a challenge.

“He’s a terrier dude,” says Samantha Brown, Kole’s mom. Bull Terriers are not a fit for everyone, but Kole has a lifetime of experience and a keen sensitivity for these tough but comical companions.

“I think that’s a strength I would say I have — being able to really have a good relationship and know exactly what the dog needs, what makes them feel comfortable when being shown, and how to present the dog,” Kole says.

Growing Up in the Dog Fancy

Samantha and Kurtis Brown started breeding and showing Bull Terriers just a few years before Kole was born. As a military family, the Browns have lived in several states, and Kole says they’ve been surrounded by a supportive dog community wherever they land.

“Every once in a while, there will be people that are like, ‘I held you as a baby!’ And I’m like, ‘Yep, I remember you too,’” he jokes. Samantha says these “extra grandparents” would dote on young Kole with candy and treats as he watched from his stroller ringside.

At about 5 years old, Kole started helping his mom show their Bull Terriers while Kurtis stayed home with Margaret, Kole’s little sister. “Literally, my helper would come in a car seat, and then I just taught him to hold onto the leash and just follow me back in,” Samantha says. He continued to develop his handling skills by showing in Pee Wee, breed classes, specialties, and eventually Juniors when he turned 9.

‘The Bull Terrier Kid With the Bow Tie’

Kole was building a reputation, and a personal style, too. “I would always have lucky bow ties,” he says. “They were kind of like a trademark — it’s, ‘Oh, hey, that’s the Bull Terrier kid with the bow tie!’”

He developed a strong partnership with “Rylee” (GCHB CH Delicious Galway Girl TKN BROM), a biddable, patient, “training wheels dog” who was shaping Kole as a Bull Terrier handler. “She loved to be in the show ring — she had her own little vibe going on,” he says.

The team found success in the breed ring, even taking group placements and a Best in Specialty win. But Bull Terriers can be a tough breed for Junior Showmanship — managing their clownish behavior requires mental stamina and creativity, along with the physical strength to handle their sturdy, muscular body. With Rylee, Kole learned how to present a Bull Terrier in a way that honors the breed while also demonstrating some handling skills to stand out.

A Turning Point in His Show Career

Then, in 2021, Kole had a significant win. The Kennel Club of Greater Victoria show was wrapping up for the day, with just Juniors judging remaining. Samantha sprinted to the ring — still in her military fatigues from work — just in time to see Kole awarded his very first Best Junior with Rylee under judge Johnny Shoemaker.

The win was validating to the Brown family as proof that Kole could succeed in Juniors with a Bull Terrier. “That was a very special moment for me,” Kole says. “I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the start of my whole career, pretty much going forward.”

He showed Rylee for a few years before teaming with her sister, “Austin” (GCH CH Delicious Hollaback Girl TKN). Though littermates, Austin was “more of a handful,” Kole says — the embodiment of a Bull Terrier in size and spirit. But Austin was exactly what Kole needed to become a more tactful, intuitive handler.

“I just had a ton of fun showing her … having to react to her and see what she wants,” he says. “The difficulty scale was there, but that’s all the more rewarding when you win.”

‘Winning’ at Westminster

Recently, Kole has been showing “Lexi” (CH Rnr’s Breakfast At Tiffany’S), a sassy Miniature Bull Terrier who lives for the limelight. “Whenever I’m trying to leave the ring, or if I’m going to do a down and back and I do a courtesy turn even anywhere near the ring gate, she’ll be like, ‘Wait a second, we’re not leaving yet!’” Kole laughs.

In 2025, Kole set out to qualify for Westminster Juniors by exclusively handling a Bull Terrier — and he did. While at the prestigious show, Kole and a handful of juniors were invited to Madison Square Garden to serve as stand-ins for the crew while they set lighting and camera angles.

Kole and Lexi were invigorated by the green carpet, bright lights, and cavernous arena. When the mock judge pointed to Kole and Lexi for Best in Show, he knew it was all pretend, but it gave him a taste. What if it had been real?

“Even though I didn’t win anything, that felt like, ‘Wow, I have to come back and win the real thing,’” he says. As for Lexi: “She doesn’t know that it’s fake. So, she thinks that we went and won Westminster!”