The Buff Doge vs Crying Cheems meme is a comparison format featuring two famous Shiba Inus: a hyper-muscular version of Doge and the famously pathetic Cheems. Emerging in early 2020, the meme typically highlights 'then vs. now' scenarios, where Buff Doge represents a strong, capable historical version of something, and Cheems represents its modern, sensitive, or weakened counterpart. This juxtaposition of the 2013 Doge lore with the 2017 Cheems character created a versatile template that remains a staple for social commentary and irony across the internet.