Off-Leash With Ben Jenkins & Croissant

Welcome to Off-Leash, a series spotlighting Biche’s community of tastemaking dogs and humans.

“So I accidentally moved to Cairo,” Ben Jenkins proclaims in the now-viral TikTok that started it all. In January, the New York-based comedian took what was supposed to be a two-week-long trip to Egypt with his new puppy, Croissant. But the jaunt turned into a months-long stay when he found out that the USDA bars dogs under six months old from entering the U.S. from certain countries.

At the time, Croissant — full name Croissant Brigitte Macron de Jenkins — was just three months old. "I was looking for a grief puppy after losing my brother in October of last year,” Ben says. After coming across Croissant, a Pug, it seemed the stars had aligned. Croissant’s original name was Teddy — which also happened to be Ben’s brother's nickname. His breeder was also based in Wilmington, North Carolina, where Ben had taken his last trip with his brother before he passed. 

“I knew I needed to meet this dog,” Ben says. “From the second we met, Croissant has been nothing but personality and humour… I have been mystified by his naturally comedic ways. He is akin to Dave Chappelle, Larry David, or Kristen Wiig at finding the right body language and gesture to maximise the humour of existence.”

After their unexpected Cairo residency, Ben and Croissant are back in Brooklyn — though Ben is planning a trip back to Egypt, sans dog. Ahead, we chat with the pair about the classic fragrance they both can’t get enough of and Croissant’s craving for alcohol and cigarettes (don’t worry, he’s never had them).