Dancing dogs are taking the TV talent show world by storm, and they’re an absolute crowd-pleaser. First, we had Ashley and her adorable crossbreed Pudsey, the breakout star of Britain’s Got Talent who won it all in 2012. Then, in 2015, Jules O’Dwyer and her border collie Matisse claimed the BGT crown. Not to be outdone, America’s Got Talent introduced its own canine sensation — Hurricane and his trainer Adrian Stoica, who triumphed in 2023.
But just when we thought we’d seen every variation of a dancing dog act, Roni Sagi and her border collie Rhythm stepped onto the AGT stage and left all competition in the dust with a jaw-dropping audition!
Roni’s graceful, gymnastic choreography was beautifully complemented by Rhythm, who dashed around the stage, effortlessly weaving through her poses in a flurry of fur. The duo performed a stunning routine set to Sia’s haunting cover of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas & The Papas, perfectly syncing their movements to the lyrics. When the song sang, “I’ll be safe and warm,” Rhythm stood on his hind legs to embrace Roni, before flipping into a sweet pose with his paws gently resting on her shoulders.
Rhythm showed off his incredible agility, weaving through Roni’s legs, running in reverse circles, spinning like a top, and leaping through her arms at lightning speed. Meanwhile, Roni exuded grace, embodying the ethereal beauty of her routine. But it was the moment when Roni took pigeon steps backward, crossing her feet while Rhythm matched her every step, that left Simon Cowell utterly stunned.
The performance earned the duo a standing ovation from all four judges. Sofia Vergara called it “magic,” while Simon Cowell, who has a soft spot for dog acts, praised it as “a level up” from the previous season’s winners, Adrian and Hurricane (who happens to be friends with Roni!). With four enthusiastic “Yes” votes, Roni and Rhythm are moving forward in the competition.
Roni, a professional dog trainer, has always been surrounded by dogs. She shared with AGT producers, “Growing up, my mom would find stray dogs and bring them home every few months. We’d care for them and find new homes for them, so I was always around dogs.” This passion has led Roni to create the Keta Tov Dog Dance School, offering online courses for dog dancers of all skill levels worldwide.
Although Roni only met Rhythm in 2022, they’ve already achieved top 10 honors at the prestigious Open European Championship for Dog Dancing in Germany. With their audition racking up over 2.3 million views on YouTube, Roni and Rhythm are quickly becoming fan favorites and strong contenders to win the current season of AGT!
