ShowDays.info - the unofficial guide to dog show information
Mr. Jon R. Cole [379] Nashville, TN
Initial Breed: Bull Terriers
Judge (etc.) Rating System:   (instructions)
This judge has been rated by 155 members
 with an average rating of: 2.7 
including 16 Judge Experts
 with an average rating of: 2.6 
153152212251455154315425
1235151113413523442315425
4133435223451451531121223
1113151245235241445522225
1223554122331212114311114
4411532551241221225322214
331224
My Rating for this Judge: 1
  5 - Excellent
  4 - Good
  3 - Fair/Average
  2 - Below Expectations
  1 - Not Acceptable
View based on member ratings.

  See Guidelines & Commentary on the Judge Rating System.  
No Flaming! Be Constructive, Diplomatic, Objective and Specific.
Public Judge Comments
If you are not a subscribing member and wish to post a comment here, please send an email with your public judge notes, and we will review it for posting.
Judges: To be notified automatically via email when someone posts a public note about you, just send us an email identifying yourself and tell us your User ID, so we can set up the proper link. To bring anything about a particular comment to our attention, also send an email, and we will review your concern and determine the appropriate action. If you wish to communicate with the person making a comment, send us an email, with the details and we will forward it for you. If you want to reply to a comment, and do not have a subscription, send us an email and we will post it here for you.
Judge Selection Committees: Feel free to post information here that's helpful to other judge selection people: how well a judge draws, other hiring considerations. Please be sensitive to the public nature of this venue.

Find out about the Judge Expert Panel (JEEP)     See Articles on the overall Quality of Judging
ShowDays.info is not responsible for opinions expressed here.
If you think anything here is inappropriate, please notify site management.
DateRtgDisplay NameBreed(s)
Apr 20, 20242Cara JensenAustralian Shepherd
Not quite sure what he’s doing, he’s all over the board. Doesn’t stay consistent. I don’t think he understands the standard. I won’t show to him anymore. I’ve given him three times.
Mar 2, 20241KMDachshund
He's really lost the plot. Every. Single. Woman. I speak to says that, in order to win, you must wear an obscenely low-cut blouse and a very, very short skirt.
Oct 30, 2023545YearsShowingDogsSporting
Knows dogs, doesn't care who's in the ring. Will put up OH for breed over top pros. Looking for good movers. Always smiling, very kind to exhibitors and dogs.
Nov 12, 20221Anonymous Samoyeds
Super super inconsistent judging. Doesn’t understand the breeds standard. Picked overdone / over sized sams and then picked bitches that barely reach the standards height. DNS for sure.
Aug 1, 20213Tatiana terriers
Dog after dog after dog...I have shown to John on several occasions. Just for the reason he is judging at too many regional shows. Not sure what he is looking for besides of very young girls and faces he knows well. I'm not that young, nor one of his buddies. NO MORE. Yes, he awarded me with BOB once on competitive event, but only because none of his buddies were there. It simply doesn't worth it. DNS for me from now on.
Jul 13, 20214smilyjoetoys
is very quick with the exam-does watch movement-took his time looking at the dogs in the ring before choosing his winner
Apr 26, 20212Herding
Have showed to this Judge numerous times over 7 years....We have taken him different types of our breed...I am at a loss as to what this Judge wants to see. After being losers every. Single. Time....I finally have decided we do not have anything he likes...nothing. Nada. We can win every other day...but NEVER in his ring. He is courteous to people and good to the dogs.
Feb 20, 20212anonymousWorking
Not sure of his criteria.
Dec 16, 20191AnonymousHoundsExpert!
Up to his old tricks again in what he puts up. Thinks he is so "funny", and will put up the worst example in the breed just to irritate the exhibitors. I will never, ever show to this guy ever again. Save your money folks!!
Jul 1, 2019AnonymousTerriers
I have shown under him multiple times, and the only consistent thing is that he picks handlers and friends. His picks are all over the place and never the same type from show to show. He's now moved on to my short list of judges that I won't enter under, because he's political.
Apr 22, 20195AnonymousDalmatians
A great "dog" man. Take him what he likes and he'll put you up every time. Handler doesn't matter.
Apr 15, 20194ChriMasoBoston TerrierExpert!
Have shown to Mr. Cole many times. He likes a nicely trained dog with substance that moves well and will stand still so he can see the profile. He knows our breed and puts up what he likes regardless of who is handling (at least in the the breed ring from what I could observe). Do NOT stop showing your dog though. He is somewhat stoic, so you don't know until he points to you who he will award. I am an OH and was surprised with the BOB award over multiple pros in my ring, even though I have seen him award OHs many times.
Jul 22, 20181anonHerding
Does a poor exam, mostly feeling the coat and not the structure. Barely watches the dogs. Certainly doesn't bother to watch them going back into the line up. With such a poor exam and no emphasis on movement (you can't judge movement if you don't watch the dogs!) Other than looking up the lead, how is he placing the class?? DNS and DNH. How is this guy getting judging assignments??
Apr 7, 20182TerriersScotties
Jon does it again at the Atlanta Scottie Specialty. So many conformationally correct Scotties owner handled. Some really exceptional dogs. He went with a so so Scottie flown in to a top Handler. Very disapointing but not unexpected. Owner handlers stay away and save your money or if you are only in it for the wins hire a top pro.
Feb 4, 20185Anomworking
handlers handlers handlers
Dec 20, 20171AnnonymousDachshundExpert!
12/2017-Still afraid to go outside the politics and pick a non-handler for BOV. In the classes still can't get past the traditional red standard even if it is not the best in the ring on that day. 9/2018-2018- Still can't get past color. I keep trying to give him a chance but I think this year was the last time unless I have a more traditional color like red or b/t. 10/7/19-Did actually put a silver dapple up for WD for a major, type was way off, narrow, leggy, and incorrect head so maybe he just likes the opposite type than the standard says which is long and low and roman nose. Put up red mini for WB with awful rear, long hocks and belly slapped when moved but seemed to only be looking at fronts-and now the wrap but how much the breast bone protruded forward.
May 5, 20172anonymousmultiple
Watched all 7 groups today and BIS and this judge was the only one where I absolutely could not follow why he was picking what he picked. Also the only judge that didn't pick at least 3 of the 4 I picked. I will not enter under him based on what I saw today.
Jan 24, 20171AnonymousHerding
He awarded my dog Best of Breed in what is a large entry for my breed, but someone pointed out to me that he paid no attention to him in Group. I looked at the photos of the Herding Group taken by a ringside photographer at the show, and realized that he did not even bother to look at my dog on his down and back; he was looking at the floor. I will give him another chance but will watch him more closely next time. Update: Now over 2 years later, my dog has been shown to him additional times and he will barely look at my dog in the Group despite the fact that my dog has become one of the top dogs in history in his breed. Looking at his history, the only time he has put up a dog in my breed in the Group, was clearly for political reasons as it was owned by a fellow judge. Either he is political or just does not like my breed. I will not waste my money or time again entering a show where he is the Group judge.
Oct 9, 20163Tatianaterriers/schnauzers
Mr. Cole was judging our National Specialty this weekend. Weather was truly miserable. I would say, considering situation he really TOOK his time with every dog to give them fair look. He was very nice with puppies and I had no issues to show him a young bitch for whom it was her first show. He took most of his time with BOB ring, way longer then with classes. Didn't really look very interested about non-regular entries, but still took his time with each dog. As for the handlers... National Specialty always was very political show, regardless of Judge. To get better impression about what exactly he is looking in those dogs, I would like to see him judging something with lesser entries (we had 100 dogs entered today) and with wider variety of exhibitors... As for today it was exactly what everybody expected it to be. Update: smaller show. Didn't notice anything what was not under handler he can recognize. Dumped all smaller sized dogs without looking. I suppose looking for bigger dog with bigger name attached to it. Perhaps?... DNS for me. Two tries are enough.
Aug 29, 20161AnonymousHoundsExpert!
Last day of the cluster, and Mr. Cole, looked hungover. He rushed every class through, barely touching dogs. Selected the worst possible example for winners in bitches. Put up one of his pretty pets for BOB.
Aug 24, 20165Toy FancierItalian GreyhoundExpert!
This was my 2nd time showing to this judge. First time the entry was not large enough to gauge what he was looking for. No Pro handlers in the ring. He was very friendly, and made light jokes with everyone. He is not big on a table examination, and I could fault him for not giving folks time to set up dogs for that. He did not seem concerned that a dog have an excellent stack on the table. He is about movement. in my breed he likes reach and drive. His WD exhibited this. Alto I think the RWB had the better movement by far over the WB. His choices were not consistent in type, but then this was a very inconsistent "type" entry. I did not watch Group so I cannot address any handler favoritism. I would give him another entry for sure. Full disclosure, we were WD, BOW and BOS.
Feb 21, 20161anonHerding OH
In the breed ring, when I went in, he told me to go on around the ring without having me stack her. (I'm new at this so that seemed odd.) It was as though he just wanted to be done. As others have noted, he was already on her almost before I got her on the table. He was gentle with her and did go over her pretty well. He gave clear ring instructions though he spoke very softly and I misunderstood what he said. He corrected me with a laugh. Later I watched Mr. Cole judge the Herding Group and he did seem to be watching the entries, giving them each their moment in the sun until he made his cut. He did not go over a single dog before making it. He walked about half way down the line and dismissed ALL of the smaller herding breeds en-masse! He didn't even pretend he was being fair by picking one or two smaller breeds: anything smaller than an Aussie- the miniature American Shepherd, Shelty, both corgis, valhund, the puli (the #1 in the nation!) not one! He's pleasant, but I can't reconcile his actions in the group ring and his kind of, "Get me outta here!," attitude in the breed ring. He's not on my DNS list but he's closing in. UPDATE: He made it! Firmly onto my very short DNS list. Never even looks at the dogs, poor table exam, is on the dog as soon as one paw hits the table, does not watch the down and back or the go around. Picked a pet quality, poorly groomed and out of coat dog for BOB with only handler in the ring. DNS!!
Nov 11, 20155AnonymousHavanese
My experience with this judge was really good he was very good with the dogs!
Jun 11, 20154AnonymousShetland Sheepdogs
Very pleasant to dogs and exhibitors. Good examination of the dogs. Consistent in choices at this show.
Apr 11, 20151SportingSporting dogs
I used to think highly of Mr Cole, but I don't know that he's worth showing to after watching him put the only pro handled dog - who was clearly lame - up for breed. Seems to be phoning it in. And people wonder why our hobby is dying...this is exactly why.
Mar 11, 20154AOHFlat-Coated Retriever
Pleasant to show to. Rewarded dogs who showed free-flowing movement with lots of reach and drive. Seems to like an elegant, showy dog.
Mar 5, 20152anonymousworking
While this judge is friendly and gentle with dogs, he does not seem concerned at all with proper movement. Not really sure what he's looking for, but have seen him put up the worst moving dogs in the ring. Gave this judge another chance. He put up the worst-moving dog there again, for a major win. That's it. Will not give him another entry.
Dec 1, 2014AnonymousToys
This judge was very, very good with the toys on the table. Took his time petting and talking to each entry before examining. I thought he generally found the best dogs in the ring. Did like a dog that showed well. Would definitely show to him again.
Aug 26, 20142houndawgNon-sporting & toy
This judge was almost to the point of being rude. If you first in line he did not give you time to set up your dog. He began immediately to examine the dog. He acted as if he were in a hurry and bored. If you have a timid or scared puppy this is not the judge for you.
Jul 4, 20142Janene BoriniGreat Dane / Fawn
Could not figure out what this judge liked in my breed. He was all over the place in his placings and had a horrible ring procedure for large breeds. Had us move down and back towards the ring entrance with out much room to get started and you had to turn around and head towards him with only a few strides..........nice enuough man to dogs and handlers but sorry he just did not seem that interested in finding and using the best that was presented to him this day.
Jul 3, 20142workingstandard schnauzers
This judge is such a disappointment, he is qualified to be a good JUDGE but elects to put up the face & not the dog.
Jun 2, 20145AnonymousDanes
Was consistent in his picks...movement, nice head and type. I have watched him judge before and I'd say he is stoic but certainly not indifferent. He seems to see past color and his picks are consistent. And I saw him dump plenty of cute skirts with pets.
Oct 3, 20134Summithill papillon
Judged a Specialty show and I was pleasantly surprised as I hadn't shown to him in years (or ever w/paps). Very courteous and friendly. Good with all ages of dogs, judged everyone fairly, I believe. Knew what he liked, and judged dogs not faces. Will look for again.
Aug 24, 20135Toy FancierItalian GreyhoundsExpert!
I was not sure what to expect, as I had read the gambit on this judge, both good and bad. I would have to say....lack lustre, is the best I can describe his performance. A limited entry, and he picked well, but gave every appearance of being bored. Now that could have to do with the extreme altitude, and I always take that into consideration. I did like his style of working with the dogs, and he definitely watched everyone fully. gentle hands with a good examination, but he could have given everyone a wee bit more time to get the dogs set up. His choices were good, at least in my breed. He seemed to like a dog with a nice open side gait.
Jul 23, 20132EskiemomAmerican Eskimo Dogs
I was not impressed with Judge Cole. Showed to him in breed one day and group the next. He had his hands on my dogs before I could even get their feet on the table. He cut the ring in half with a chair and made us move our dogs across a polished concrete floor. The down and back was also shortened. In group instead allowing the dogs to enjoy their moment in the sun he also shortened the ring to a VERY brief diagonal. Even the pros were grumbling and wondering what his hurry was. I'm sure he knew who his group placements were before the end of the first go around looking at the wrong end of the lead. Judge Cole goes on my DNS list for sure. The only good thing I can say is he was polite.
Jun 3, 2013long time exhibitorterriers
just showed to Mr.Cole and for the 1st time was truly disappointed in his judging. Usually you can see a definite pattern and consistency in his judging but nit this time. Maybe the wind in Dunkirk,N.Y. was too much for him. Put up a class bitch that had no furnishings and you could easily see that the rear assembly was weak without ever putting a hand on the dog. Some of his BOB choices were very questionable, too. At least when we entered under him we always felt that if we had the best dog we would get the win.....we traveled a long distance to get to this show. He did give us the point with our dog, but overall this was not the Jon Cole we remembered from previous experience. Sad to say we may not show to him again as we only show to judges we believe to be fair and consistent. If we lose to a better dog, no problem. But going down to a dog that spectators felt should have had a ribbon withheld....well, let's just say it doesn't leave a very good taste in your mouth.
Mar 29, 20135HeatherAll
I have shown to Mr. Cole for many yeas with several different breeds. The one thing that I have seen from him time and time again, is he loves a dog that can move! I have always shown herding, hounds and working breeds to him and then was able to finally show Havanese to him and again he went for the movers. He told me that he believes that if a dog can move out properly it proves to him that what he felt and what he sees is structurally sound. Even though I wish I was, I am not a pretty skinny young girl that wears short skirts, but have gone up against several and I do not find him as one that chooses based on who or what the handler is wearing, but simply likes a nice moving dog.
Mar 16, 20132SSD SBT & Dobes
Very funny and enjoyable personality-seems to like the bully breeds. Will probably show to him again, but he gave the selects to two very nice, deserving GCH's and the BOB & BO to a very nice bitch and not-so nice dog. Seems to like dogs shorter on leg than the standard calls for.
Feb 13, 20131Owner Handlerworking dogs
We normally show to a judge three times before deciding whether or not to try again. We might show different dogs and/or there could be different competition. But this guy is way too arrogant for someone who doesn't judge the dog. A real insult to exhibitors.
Dec 2, 2012Kelly BryantFlat-Coated Retriever
Seemed to prefer type over movement in my breed. Appeared to have a hard time choosing between two very typey class bitches. Nice to show to and appreciated "enthusiasm" in my breed. Will definitely show to him again.
Sep 26, 20121anonymousNon-Sporting
I have showed to this Judge several times, with all different types of breeds. Each time this judge has shown favortism and been political. Will not show to him again.
Sep 18, 20121redstaffterriers
Hardly any exam at all, barely had his hands on the dogs and almost no look at bites, didnt watch the dogs, seemed bored and ready to leave. Picked all handlers in 6 breeds I watched including ours. If you want a win under Jon better hire a handler for certain. What a waste of time. *UPDATE 2023* He made fun of owner handlers in his ring, signing silly tunes while they moved their dogs. He only sees handlers. Thats his last chance of any entry from us.
Jul 24, 20123Robin GatesSeveral
He does an excellent job and will pick owner handlers in group if they have a worthy dog. Will always seek him out to show to.
Jun 2, 20121Rustycopwd
I was appalled by the way this man judged. He didnt check the bites, he barely touched the dogs. I have a coated breed so you need to put your hands on the dogs. I guess when you have so many PH in the ring you dont need to judge the dogs, just pass out something to the PH's.
May 3, 20121WhitlandFlat Coated Retriever
Seems to have made his choices before the dogs even enter the ring. On my DNS list.
Jan 16, 20121anonsighthounds
VERY political!!!!! If a certain handler is there SHE will win..regardless..Likes to tell other judges their mistake if they don't put her up with her dog. Really tries to influence other judges. I won't ever show to him and tell everyones to watch out for his little pet.
Jan 16, 20121Anon
Looks after his handlers and people. Certain handlers seem to follow him around. Deep down knows a good dog but plays games.
Sep 18, 20111anonall
Seemed to pick the shortest skirt or the cutest girl both days. This was my third and final try with this judge. Never again
Jun 2, 20114AnonymousDoberman
He is a character! He likes to crack jokes and have a good time judging. Played it safe and went with the known handlers for the breed this time around.
May 1, 20115Scott E. HolmesFrench bulldogs
Very good judge. Moves fairly fast through the entries but looks at all throughly. Extremely nice in the ring. Even though we didn't win breed, I can't argue with his choices. Knows the standard better than most judges I have had. Will definitely show to again.
Apr 18, 20114anonymousGreat Dane
Showed to him in AOH class, we went wd/bw for a 3pt major. By the way I was the only Man in the ring!! Would show to again.
Apr 12, 2011AnonymousTerriers
Knows breed type and will put up owner handlers. Will definitely show to again.
Feb 8, 20115Janet JamisonBichons Frises
Thoughtful, thorough, relaxed, easy to show to. Gentle with the dogs and attentive to each. I'm not a pro handler, but he awarded my special girl BB. She won 1st Award of Excellence and BBExhibitor at Eukanuba and Award of Merit at Westminster, so from my perspective, he chose the right Bichon. ;-)
Jan 3, 20113Carol DryminpinsExpert!
This judge does seem to be pretty bored in the ring these days. Maybe he was just having a hard day. He did a good job in my breed, but then there were no handlers in the ring
Oct 10, 20101AnonymousWorking breeds
I have had some nice wins under this judge and lost as well, but won't be giving him another entry. He seems to just be dialing it in, like he doesn't care any more. Always checking his watch, even when he's running way ahead of schedule. In my breed (GSMD) he seems to value head type over soundness (to the point that he'll reward a very unsound dog). I do think he knows dogs, but he's just too hard to figure out these days -- and shows have gotten too expensive to waste money on a judge who just doesn't take it seriously. Of course, if I had a big name handler or gorgeous young thing on the end of the lead, I might reconsider. As an aside, he is good with the dogs -- friendly, and patient with puppies.
Sep 2, 2010Erin Francomini-schnauzer
I'm not a professional and I have both lost and won with this judge - I believe he is fair and will take the time to explain why he made the decisions he did.
May 17, 20102MudpuppyKeeshond
It appeared that he was convinced that the well-known handler in the ring must have the best dog, regardless of reality. Disappointing.
Oct 21, 20094AnonymousDalmatians
Have to say I enjoyed showing to this judge. He was extremely pleasant, very gentle with the younger dogs, and seemed to be happy to be there judging (as opposed to a lot of judges who act like they are doing you a great honor by letting them grace you with their presence). He watched each dog all the way around the ring, so you felt like he at least was giving your dog a chance. Definitely would show to him again.
Sep 30, 2009Rosemary GeorgeRough Collie
I was surprised to read the comments about this judge. I am (still) planning to show to him next month after watching him judge this past weekend. I was waiting to see the beardies and watched him judge 2 other breeds (Vizslas and Weims) before the beardies came in. Although those are not my breeds, I could clearly understand his choices. And -- how do I put this? -- several of the female handlers whose dogs were put up were, erm, definitely on the heavy side and not young either. He was extremely cordial and pleasant to everyone and in fact seemed to be enjoying himself tremendously. Based on what I observed, I am going to go ahead and show to him despite the negative comments here.
Sep 30, 2008WorkingSiberian Huskies
POLITICAL, POLITICAL !!!!!!! Save your Money, especially if there is a pretty young cutie in the ring.
Apr 24, 2008Anonsighthounds
Volunteered that the reason my 6-9 month old male was not given BOW was because he acted like a puppy! HUH?
Mar 2, 20081elfAkita
Clueless in Akitas.
Jan 22, 20084TinaMaltese
It's hard to tell what it is he wants. He did seem to stay with the standard and did put up a very typey bitch. Was pleasant to show to. He does not like larger dogs/bitches.
Jan 17, 20081anonymous
I agree with the other posters who suggest a political/social bias. I saw him socializing with a handler to whom he had earlier given a surprise group placement. It might be totally innocent, but it doesn't look good.
Jan 13, 20081AnonymousWorkingExpert!
I have had this judge not even to check testicles on the male specials! Also had a pretty Young gal literally hanging on him which he latter gave a group 2 to. I wouldn't cross the street to show to this guy!
Jan 13, 20082Joseph B GentzelGreat PyreneesExpert!
I think he is capable, but for the moment this is not being realized. I fear he has other things on his mind sometimes. May be political is part of the problem?
Nov 9, 20075AnonymousTerriers/HoundsExpert!
I'll admit--this is one of my favorite judges to show under and I'm not a pro handler. He's typically looking for a typey, sound dog. I feel he's extremely consistent and if you have what he is looking for, you'll generally be suitably rewarded I've always found him extremely pleasant to show to as well. I do believe he knows what he is looking for in the breed ring, but in the group ring it becomes a "whole nother story"
Jul 24, 20071anonymousworkingExpert!
Arrogant, appears to like being "creative" and controversial in his judging. A "Giant Killer". Prefers dogs presented by the young ladies over other well, or better qualified entries.
Jul 23, 20072anonymany
will put up pretty girls (handlers) over the best dog. political.
May 30, 2007keymasterDanes
Seems to like soundness and overall balance, definitely gives an owner-handler a fair shake, but I've had pros on my dogs win under him too. One of my favorite judges.

You must be a subscribing member to make Public Comments.

ShowDays Home   Contact Us