Triumph the Insult Comic Dog is a puppet character puppeteered and voiced by Robert Smigel , best known for mocking celebrities in an Eastern European accent . As his name indicates , Triumph 's comedic style is almost exclusively insult comedy . A Montenegrin Mountain Hound , Triumph often puffs a cigar , which usually falls out of his mouth when he starts talking . He debuted in 1997 on NBC 's '' Late Night with Conan O'Brien '' and also appeared on '' The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien '' from time to time , as well as the short-lived '' TV Funhouse '' , TBS 's '' Conan '' , and Adult Swim 's '' The Jack and Triumph Show '' . Smigel and Triumph have been ejected from several events for Triumph 's antics , including Westminster ( three times ) , the Honolulu line for auditions for '' American Idol '' , and the 2004 Democratic National Convention ( while shooting an aborted movie project )
2004 Democratic National Convention
2004 Democratic National Convention
Triumph the Insult Comic Dog