Hans Klose

Highlights:  

• Hans traveling canines range from several mixed breeds to Standard Poodles, Fox Terriers, a Great Dane and an Australian Shepherd.  

• Most of Hans’ dogs were rescued from pounds and shelters.   

• Hans’ father, an acrobat and foot juggler, joined Ringling Bros.^® in 1956. His mother – a Radio City Music Hall Rockette when she met his father – rode the elephants.  

Hans Klose  

Klose’s Performing K9’s  

Hans Klose never expected to fall in love with the circus life. Growing up with parents who were performers, Hans decided to try something different, so he took an office job that led him to the same office with the same people, every day.  It wasn’t too long before Hans realized that the circus was his life and returned to performing with his family’s laughable, lovable canine troupe featured in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® Presents DRAGONS. “Working in an office was more of an occupation, the circus is a way of life,” explains Hans.  

Hans’ father was an acrobat and foot juggler and joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^® in 1956. His mother was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette when she met his father and later rode the elephants. Over the years, they had three children, Hans being the youngest.  

As time passed, his parents formed a dog act which was later passed to Hans. Mariya, a former Russian acrobat and Hans’ wife, joined him in his act and can now be seen performing handstands and creating hurdles for the dogs to jump over.  The two were discovered three years ago by The Greatest Show On Earth^® while presenting their charming canines with another circus.  

Having previously toured with the 139^th Edition as well as the Gold Edition of Ringling Bros. Hans and Mariya were thrilled when they were asked to present their high-energy canine act for DRAGONS. “We are so excited to be a part of another great Ringling Bros. production. It truly is an honor to be working for The Greatest Show On Earth,” explains Hans.    

Hans owns 17 dogs including those that have retired from performing. “I don’t let go of the dogs that have been with me because they are a part of my family.” All of the dogs except for the poodles were rescued from pounds and shelters.  

“These dogs are my life. I spend several hours a day with them, grooming, feeding, and taking care of them.  It’s like they were my children.”  

“Not every dog can do every action,” he says. “Some are better at jumping, doing somersaults or standing on two legs.” The little one, Spiderman, can climb a wall in its pen. It also jumps off a 16-foot high-dive into its trainer’s waiting arms. “He will even sit on my shoulder like a parrot.”