How to Choose a Dog Portrait Print (Style, Size and Frame)
A portrait of a much-loved dog can be the piece of art people look at most in their home. But between photo-based paintings, minimalist line art and breed illustrations, A4s, A3s and ready-framed prints, it's easy to feel unsure. This guide walks through the choices so you end up with a print you'll love on the wall for years.
A quick note on honesty: Waggle & Ink sells some of the gifts in this guide, and we've linked to them. Everything else is a general idea. Nobody has paid us to mention it. Our products show original breed illustrations with your dog's name, not portraits drawn from a photo. Prices were correct in October 2026.
Step 1: Choose your portrait style
Custom portraits from a photo
An artist paints or draws your dog from your photos, including markings, the wonky ear and the grey muzzle. It's the most personal option, ideal for a memorial or a dog with very distinctive looks. Expect to pay more and wait longer, as each one is made individually. You'll also need good, well-lit photos.
Breed illustrations with a name
This is what we make. You choose the breed and coat colour from a set of original illustrations and add the dog's name. The result is clean, consistent and quicker to make, and it often sits more easily in a modern home. The trade-off: it's a portrait of the breed, not a likeness of the individual dog. Our personalised dog portrait print works this way.
Minimalist line art and silhouettes
A single-line drawing or silhouette gives a subtle, graphic look. It's great in a monochrome scheme, though it can lose coat colour and character.
Watercolour and painterly styles
Soft and traditional. They suit cottagey interiors and look lovely in a white mount.
Quick test: imagine the print in the room where it will hang. Does it match the other art, the colours and the mood? A style that suits the room will get looked at more than one that fights it.
Step 2: Choose the right size
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 21 × 29.7cm | Shelves, desks, small walls, gallery walls, Secret Santa-sized gifts |
| 8x10in canvas | 20.3 × 25.4cm | Shelves, bedside tables, alcoves, frameless and ready to hang |
| A3 | 29.7 × 42cm | Hallways, kitchens, home offices, the centre of a gallery wall |
| 30x40cm framed | 30 × 40cm print | Above a sideboard or console, or a statement piece in a small room |
A useful rule of thumb from interior designers: art above furniture often looks best at around half to two-thirds of the furniture's width. A single A4 print above a large sofa will look lost, so group several or go bigger.
Our options: the personalised print in A4 (£20.99) or A3 (£24.99), the 8x10in canvas (£34.99) and the 30x40cm framed portrait (£49).
Step 3: Paper, canvas or framed?
Unframed prints
The most flexible choice. You (or the person you're gifting) can choose a frame to suit the room. A4 and A3 are standard sizes, so frames are easy to find on the high street. Our prints use a thick 189 g/m² matte paper, which keeps glare down.
Ready-framed prints
The easiest gift: unwrap, hang, done. Our framed portrait comes in a black frame with a clear acrylic front (lighter and less breakable than glass) and hanging hardware included.
Canvas
Canvas has a soft texture and no glare, and needs no frame. It suits casual, cosy spaces and children's rooms. Ours is stretched over a wooden frame with mounting brackets included.
Step 4: Choose the right breed and coat (for illustrations)
- Go by the face. Choose the coat colour covering most of the dog's face and ears.
- Crossbreeds: choose the parent the dog most resembles, or a crossbreed portrait if there's one.
- Not sure? Our Breed Guide shows every option, or email us a photo for a suggestion.
Step 5: Check the name and ask for a proof
Check spelling and capitalisation ("Mr Pickles" or "MR PICKLES"?). Our names can be up to 14 characters. For a print that will hang for years, it's worth seeing it first. Tick "Send me a proof" and we'll email you a digital preview to approve. See Personalisation & Proofs.
Step 6: Hang it well
- Height: a common guide is to hang art with its centre at roughly eye level, around 145-150cm from the floor. Above furniture, leave a gap of roughly 15-25cm.
- Light: avoid strong direct sunlight, which fades any print over time.
- Damp: avoid steamy bathrooms and cold, damp external walls.
- Gallery walls: lay the frames out on the floor first, or tape paper templates to the wall.
Our Care Guide has more on looking after prints and canvases.
Ideas for matching sets
- Two dogs, two prints: a pair of A4 prints side by side, one for each dog.
- Every dog we've loved: a row of prints, one per family dog, past and present.
- Print, mug and decoration: the same dog on the wall, on a mug and on the tree.
Gifting a portrait print
A portrait print is a lovely gift for a new home, a new puppy, a milestone birthday, or for someone remembering a dog who has died (see our memorial gift ideas). Our prints are printed to order by our UK/EU production partner in 2-5 working days, then delivered free in 2-5 working days. Browse prints & canvas.
Frequently asked questions
What size dog print should I buy?
A4 suits shelves and small walls, A3 suits hallways and kitchens, and a 30x40cm framed print works above a sideboard. Above furniture, aim for art around half to two-thirds of the furniture's width, or group several prints.
Is your dog portrait print drawn from my photo?
No. It's our own illustration of your dog's breed and coat colour, with their name. For an exact likeness, a pet artist working from photos is the better choice.
Do your prints come framed?
The A4 and A3 prints are unframed and fit standard frames. The 30x40cm portrait comes framed in black, with an acrylic front and hanging hardware.
What paper are your prints on?
A thick, 189 g/m² matte paper, which keeps glare down and shows the colours well.
Can I see my print before it's made?
Yes. Tick "Send me a proof" when you order and we'll email a digital proof for you to approve before printing.