Extraordinary Canine Talent: Border Collie’s Dance Performance Stuns America’s Got Talent Judges
The world of television talent competitions has seen a remarkable rise in popularity of canine dance performances, with each new act pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the human-dog partnership. Following in the footsteps of memorable champions like Ashley and Pudsey (Britain’s Got Talent 2012), Jules O’Dwyer and Matisse (BGT 2015), and most recently Adrian Stoica and Hurricane (AGT 2023), a new dancing duo has emerged that may outshine them all.
Roni Sagi and her border collie Rhythm recently delivered what many are calling an unforgettable audition on the America’s Got Talent stage, setting a new standard for canine choreography.
The performance featured Roni’s gymnastic elegance perfectly synchronized with Rhythm’s incredible agility. As Sia’s hauntingly beautiful cover of “California Dreamin'” played, the border collie executed a series of impressive maneuvers, weaving between Roni’s legs, performing reverse circles, and executing rapid spins with remarkable precision.
One particularly moving moment occurred during the lyrics “I’ll be safe and warm,” when Rhythm stood upright on his hind legs to embrace Roni before transitioning into a heartwarming pose with his paws gently resting on her shoulders.
Perhaps the most technically impressive segment came when Roni executed backward pigeon steps with crossed feet while Rhythm mirrored her movements exactly—a moment that visibly astonished judge Simon Cowell.
The routine earned a standing ovation from all four judges. Sofia Vergara described the performance as “magic,” while Simon Cowell, well-known for his appreciation of talented canine acts, praised their routine as “a level up” from the previous season’s winners. The panel unanimously voted to advance Roni and Rhythm to the next round of the competition.
Roni’s journey to becoming a professional dog trainer began in childhood. “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,” she explained to AGT producers. This lifelong passion led her to establish the Keta Tov Dog Dance School, which now offers online training courses for aspiring dog dancers worldwide.
Despite forming their partnership relatively recently in 2022, Roni and Rhythm have already achieved impressive competitive success, placing in the top 10 at the prestigious Open European Championship for Dog Dancing in Germany. Their AGT audition video has already garnered over 2.3 million views on YouTube, establishing them as early favorites to potentially win the current season.
For fans of canine performances, talent competitions, and displays of extraordinary animal intelligence, Roni and Rhythm represent the cutting edge of what’s possible when human creativity meets canine capability—a partnership that continues to captivate audiences around the world.