Christian Stoinev ’s strength is impressive enough , but Milo and Percy are the real stars .

For over a decade now , Christian Stoinev has traveled the world with his tiny , furred companions , dazzling K with their athletic displays . They stand on his back — and even on top of basketballs .

" The boys kind of have their own puppy put-on , dog antic that they do , but then I imagine the strength of the act is the stuff that we do together , " Stoinev tells Daily Paws .

A 5th - generation performer , Stoinev is an gymnastic hand balancer , operate in exploit of strength and gymnastic art , often upside down and on just one hand . But , as Stoinev is fast to accept , his own fate of the act is just an starter , set the stage for the veridical stars of the show : hisChihuahuas , Percy and Milo .

Here he iswith Percy last month at the NCAA Women ’s Final Four , where the lilliputian dog grapple to stay on top of Stoinev while the man does a summersault . Percy then moves to Stoinev ’s feet when he does a handstand , draw out cheer from the Minneapolis crowd .

Stoinev ’s enactment traces its showtime back over 10 years to his days as a teenager , journey and performing with his parent with theBig Apple Circus . Being the only stripling in an act on the route for calendar week at a fourth dimension can be solitary , so young Stoinev begged his parent for a deary . Needing him to be small so he could travel without too much squabble , they got him his first Chihuahua — named Scooby .

" I already was a young kid practicing handstands , " Stoinev says . " So then it sparked this estimation to my dad , which was like , ' Hey , when we go drill tomorrow , why do n’t we bring [ Scooby ] with us ? ' "

That first day , they placed Scooby on Stoinev ’s back as a moment of fun , but Scooby seemed so comfortable there , the pair begin to marvel what other thing the little pawl might be condition to do .

" That ’s kind of how the act set off , " Stoinev says . " By the time I was 14 , I already was execute ' Christian and Scooby ' on the Big Apple Circus . "

Scooby retire from performing six geezerhood ago and died a year and a half ago at the long time of 17 . Since his retreat , the enactment — named " Christian & Scooby " to this day — continued with Percy . Now 9 , Percy has begun divvy up the spotlight with the next dog in line , 3 - twelvemonth - onetime Milo . These Day , Stoinev and the pups perform at a Las Vegas abidance and serve as halftime amusement for NBA , WNBA , and NCAA basketball games . Over the retiring class , they ’ve added NFL , MLB , and soccer events to the roster as well , allowing Stoinev and his dogs to do for thousands of people across the country .

" It ’s unvoiced to consider that I was able to make a calling out of this , " he says . " And it really would n’t have been anything if it was n’t for how extra Scooby was and Scooby kind of starting it all . "

As the act transitioned from Scooby to Percy and Milo , Stoinev has catered performances to each dog ’s skills . Milo , for deterrent example , can pick up a plushy basketball in his mouth , convey it on his hind legs , and " dunk " it in a small hoops hoop . Meanwhile Percy is substantially known for his ability to walk on basketball game .

" My dogs have changed my life in unbelievable ways , " Stoinev aver . " Besides the obvious , the fact that they ’ve given me a career . In a way that ’s the least important way in which they ’ve changed my life .

" They ’ve brought me so much pleasure and happiness and experiences . "

Stoinev is grateful for the chance to perform around the world with his two , tiny skillful friends . But , like all alive performers , his braggy thrill is seeing the response of the crowds who he , Percy , and Milo delight each night .

" I ’m so excited that I get to show what these trivial guys are able-bodied to do to people all across the public , " he says .