
A dog in Japan has taken the internet by storm after being labelled the happiest hound on the internet.

Pictured happily smiling as he goes about his day-to-day business, perky pooch Maru, has gathered an army of online followers, all eager to catch up with his latest antics.

Owned by Japanese dog enthusiast Shinjiro Ono from Tokyo, Japan, the contented pooch is regularly snapped and filmed looking effortlessly cute - much to the admiration of his adoring fans.

Whether he's walking, eating, playing or even sleeping, the Shiba-Inu dog just can't seem to stop grinning and has now has a whopping 800,000 followers on picture sharing social media site Instagram.

Not only that, Maru also has his very own YouTube channel where viewers are able to see him playing with his toys, digging on the beach and napping at home.

Perky pooch: Maru has been crowned the 'happiest hound on the internet'

Happy hound: Maru now has 800,000 followers on Instagram

Star: Maru also has his very own YouTube channel where viewers are able to see him playing with his toys

Flower power: Maru's fame has blossomed

Variety: Shinjiro Ono has snapped Maru grinning in a huge number of locations

Paw-some: Maru always looks effortlessly cute

Grinning ways: Maru seems to find it impossible to be grumpy

Adored: Maru's owner gives him some well-earned fuss

Taking the ruff with the smooth: Maru poses in the sunlight

He's always ready for his close-up: Maru poses for the camera once more

Cheer we go: Maru's happy expression has made him famous