Benny the Golden Retriever has become an internet sensation, thanks to an Instagram video from @lexandbenny that shows his adorable wide smile. The dog’s grin tells you that he does not do anything subtly. When Benny is happy, his whole face gives it away, and all it takes is giving him scratches behind his ears. Honestly, he looks like someone who just remembered a joke and cannot help smiling about it.
Golden Retriever’s toothy smile is an internet favorite
The video from @lexandbenny shows the Golden Retriever sitting in the backseat, with his head resting on the edge of a car window and his eyes squinting, as he keeps his mouth slightly open in a little smirk.
As Benny continues smirking, a hand reaches in from the right and scratches behind his ear, prompting the smirk to turn into a glorious, tooth-baring grin — the same thing that has turned him into an internet darling.
The on-screen caption says, “This is Ben. Ben likes to smile,” and the comment section loved it. One viewer wrote, “That smile is contagious,” while another raved, “Look at those teeth omggggg.” Moreover, someone teased, “Is he smiling or is he high.”
A third viewer joked, “Seems like Ben’s high.. high on life.” Someone also commented, “Ben has a great smile.” Furthermore, another added, “Hi Ben!! I like to smile too.” Undoubtedly, in a world that can feel heavy, Benny’s silly toothy grin is like a little gift.
Well, dogs do not smile the way humans do — it is not a learned performance. Hence, when a dog squints and shows their teeth in a context like this, it is often a submissive grin, and it is basically their way of reassuring you that they are not a threat and that they are feeling good.
Benny, the Golden Retriever in this video, is just surrendering to the joy of being a dog with someone who adores him, and it comes out as an adorable toothy smile.
