Many fans want to know more about Stephen Colbert’s dog Benny, who has been featured in many segments on The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert. The television host has also posted multiple pictures of the pooch on social media, particularly on his Instagram since 2019. Benny has been an integral part of the show, traveling to The Ed Sullivan Theatre with Colbert and sometimes playing with the host in between segments. Here’s what we know about Colbert’s dog Benny, especially its breed and its current age.
How old is Stephen Colbert’s dog Benny?
Stephen Colbert’s dog Benny is five years old, as of February 14, 2025. He will be six years old in July later in the year.
This is based on a segment on Colbert’s show that celebrated Benny’s third birthday on July 19, 2022. At the time, he jokingly said that because he turned three, which is 21 in dog years, Benny was now able to drink.
Colbert later confirmed on his official Instagram account (@stephenathome) that his dog was indeed three years old on July 19, coupling it with an adorable video of him just a few days old. As confirmed on the show’s account on X (formerly Twitter), Benny made his first debut on the show on December 18, 2019.
What breed is Stephen Colbert’s dog Benny?
Benny is a Boykin Spaniel, as verified by Stephen Colbert and The Dogist on Instagram.
The Boykin Spaniel is the state dog of North Carolina and is known for being a gentle family dog but also a skilled hunter. The typical lifespan of this breed ranges from 12 to 14 years, so in 2025, Benny is about to be middle-aged. President Jimmy Carter is a lover of Boykin Spaniels and owned several over the years.
Since getting Benny, Stephen Colbert admits that he goes on walks more often and enjoys the fact that the dog will enjoy his jokes whether they’re funny or not. He describes Benny as a canine that “wants to be loved on his own terms” and acts “like a little king” that enjoys surveying his kingdom.
