You know the look. That judgmental, sideways glance from a dog that clearly thinks you’re being a bit much. It’s the side eye dog meme, and honestly, it’s one of the few things from the early 2010s that still feels perfectly relevant today.
Dogs are weirdly good at human expressions. They don’t have words, so they use their eyes. Sometimes those eyes are full of love, but other times, they are full of pure, unadulterated shade. It’s that specific white-of-the-eye flash—technically known as "whale eye" in the canine behavior world—that turned a few random pets into global icons of skepticism.
The Origin Story of the Most Famous Side Eye
Before every TikTok had a "bombastic side eye" sound effect, there was a dog named Anuko.
Anuko is a Siberian Husky who became a legend basically because he looked like he hated everything. In 2015, his owner, Jasmine Milton, posted photos of him reacting to a fake ball throw. The betrayal in his eyes was palpable. He didn't just look disappointed; he looked like he was questioning Jasmine’s entire moral character.
The internet lost its mind.
Why? Because Anuko’s face was the perfect visual shorthand for that feeling when someone tells a lie so obvious you can’t even be bothered to argue. You just look.
But Anuko wasn't the only one. We have to talk about Murphy.
Murphy is the fluffy white dog often seen sitting in the passenger seat of a car, looking back at the camera with a gaze so piercing it feels like he’s judging your driving, your music taste, and your life choices all at once. This specific iteration of the side eye dog meme often gets paired with captions about "suspicious behavior" or when your mom starts telling a story about you that isn't quite true.
Why We Can't Stop Using It
Memes usually die fast. A week, maybe a month if they’re lucky. But the side eye dog has stayed around for over a decade.
It’s about the "whale eye."
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In animal behavior, "whale eye" is actually a sign of stress or anxiety. When a dog shows the whites of their eyes (the sclera), they are usually guarding something or feeling cornered. But humans are masters of anthropomorphism. We don't see a stressed-out pup; we see a sassy roommate who just heard us say we’re "starting our diet tomorrow" while opening a bag of chips.
It’s the ultimate "I see what you're doing" button.
Think about the context of the internet today. We live in an era of "cringe" and "clout chasing." Every time someone posts a video that feels forced or a "get ready with me" that’s clearly scripted, the comment section is just a wall of side eye emojis. The side eye dog meme is the mascot for our collective skepticism.
The Evolution into "Bombastic Side Eye"
In 2023, the meme underwent a massive mutation. TikTok happened.
A specific audio clip featuring a voice saying "Bombastic side eye... criminal offensive side eye" went viral. It wasn't just a picture anymore. It was a vibe. This breathed new life into the old images of Anuko and Murphy. Suddenly, Gen Z was rediscovering these dogs and applying them to modern awkwardness.
It changed the tone slightly.
The original memes were often about the dog’s internal thoughts. The "Bombastic" era turned the dog into a weapon. You send the meme to a friend when they text their ex. You post it on a thread when a politician says something nonsensical.
It’s become a social corrective.
The Science of Why We Find It Funny
There is a real psychological reason why these dogs hit harder than human side-eye memes (like the Chloe Clem "Side Eyeing Chloe" meme).
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It’s called the Incongruity Theory of Humor.
Dogs are supposed to be "man’s best friend." They are supposed to be loyal, goofy, and endlessly happy to see us. When a dog displays a look of sophisticated, weary judgment, it breaks our expectations. It’s the contrast between the "good boy" persona and the "I’m disgusted by you" expression that creates the laugh.
Also, it's safe.
If a person gives you a side eye, it’s a confrontation. If a dog does it, it’s a joke. We can project our own social anxieties onto the dog and use them as a shield. It’s much easier to send a picture of a judgmental Husky than it is to tell someone, "I think you’re lying."
Key Players in the Side Eye Hall of Fame
While many dogs have gone viral for a single photo, a few have built entire brands off their "judgmental" looks.
- Anuko the Husky: The OG. He actually helped his owner pay for medical school because his grumpy face became so famous. It’s a literal "dog-built-this-house" situation.
- Popeye the Foodie: While mostly known for eating at fancy restaurants, Popeye often gives a subtle, high-brow side eye to his meals that feels incredibly "food critic."
- The "Council of Dogs": You’ve probably seen the photo of three or four dogs all looking at the camera with varying degrees of suspicion. It’s used when a group of people (or the internet at large) is watching someone mess up in real-time.
How to Capture Your Own Side Eye Dog
If you’re a pet owner, you’ve probably tried to take this photo. It’s harder than it looks.
Most dogs only do the "whale eye" for a split second. To get the perfect side eye dog meme shot, you usually have to hold a treat just out of their direct line of sight or make a weird noise that causes them to shift their eyes without moving their head.
But a word of caution: if your dog is constantly showing the whites of their eyes, they might actually be uncomfortable.
Professional trainers like Victoria Stilwell often point out that "whale eye" is a warning sign. If the dog's body is stiff and they are showing that side-eye, they want space. The meme is funny because we see it as "attitude," but the dog is usually just saying, "Hey, stop that."
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The Future of the Side Eye
We are moving into an era of AI-generated content and hyper-saturated video, yet the simple, low-res photo of a dog looking sideways remains a staple.
It survives because it’s authentic.
You can’t really fake the specific tilt of a dog’s brow. As we get more skeptical of everything we see online, the side eye dog meme becomes even more useful. It is the official logo of the "I don't believe you" movement.
It’s transitioned from a simple joke into a piece of digital punctuation. It’s the period at the end of a sarcastic sentence.
How to Use the Side Eye Meme Effectively
To truly master the art of the canine side eye in your digital communication, keep these specific contexts in mind.
When the "Skepticism" is High
Don't use it for small things. Save the high-tier side eye for when someone makes a claim that is statistically impossible. If a friend claims they "totally forgot" to pay you back for the third time this month, that is the prime moment for an Anuko Husky drop.
Handling Unsolicited Advice
The side eye dog is the perfect response to the person in the comments section who thinks they know your life better than you do. It’s a way to acknowledge the comment without giving it the dignity of a written reply.
Self-Deprecation
The best way to use the meme is on yourself. Post a photo of your messy room or your latest failed "DIY" project and pair it with the side eye dog. It tells the world, "I know I'm the problem, and I'm judging myself so you don't have to."
Finding the Best Variations
- The "Slow Burn": A GIF of a dog slowly turning its head. Use for rising tension.
- The "Drive-By": The Murphy-style car photo. Best for situations where you are observing drama from a distance.
- The "Stink Eye": For when the judgment is so heavy it borders on aggression.
Stop trying to explain why something is weird. Just let the dog do the talking for you. It’s more efficient, it’s funnier, and in a world full of noise, a silent, sideways glance is often the loudest thing you can say.