There are dogs you never forget, no matter how long you live. Their gaze, their little quirks, the gestures that only you, as their owner, recognize. A hand-painted portrait turns this bond into something tangible—and lasting.
Why painted—and not just photographed?
Photos capture a moment, a fraction of a second. A painted portrait captures your dog’s personality. The artist decides what matters—the gaze, the pose, the expression—and leaves out anything that distracts from the essence. The result is a painting created from three good photos that captures your dog better than any single photo could.
What’s more, dogs age quickly. What you see today isn’t what you’ll see in five years. A painting captures exactly this dog, at exactly this stage of life. It’s irreplaceable.
Which photo of your dog is the best one?
Three things make for a good reference photo:
- Taken at your dog's eye level. Don't shoot from above—that makes every dog feel insecure and passive. Get down on the ground and take the photo at the dog's eye level.
- Natural daylight, outdoors. Avoid artificial light or flash. Early morning or late afternoon produces the most beautiful shadows.
- His typical expression. Not the “well-behaved” moment in front of the camera, but the moment when you recognize him best. The way he tilts his head with a smile, the focused look on his face when playing fetch, the contented way he sleeps.
Don't have a perfect photo? No problem. Send us a few—the face from one, the pose from another, the eyes from a third. Our artists will combine them to create a cohesive image.
Reasons to have a dog portrait taken
- In memory of a dog who has passed away: The most common—and often the most important—reason. A painting gives pain a dignified form.
- For a dog's birthday or adoption anniversary: Many families celebrate this occasion; a portrait is a perfect fit.
- As a gift for a dog owner: If you love dogs, you'll hang up a picture of one. Anyone who has a dog knows that.
- Einfach so: Some families want to have their dog immortalized simply because he deserves it. That’s reason enough.
Style — realistic or a bit more free-form?
For dog portraits, we usually recommend a classic, realistic style: every detail of the coat pattern, the eyes, and the muzzle should be clearly recognizable. That way, the portrait will still look authentic even twenty years from now.
If you prefer, we can also create a more free-form, painterly style with visible brushstrokes—it looks more lively, but less traditional. You can choose any background you like: a neutral one, your favorite landscape, or a familiar place (like your garden or bedroom).
Multiple dogs or one dog with the family?
Both are possible. Several dogs from the same family often appear together in a photo—even if they’ve never been in a photo together before, it can be arranged. A family photo with a dog is a powerful option: it shows not just the dog, but the bond between them.
Format and Price
A dog portrait begins with CHF 306 (30×40 cm, one dog). Popular sizes include 40×50 cm and 50×60 cm—large enough to make the eyes appear lively when viewed from a moderate distance. Family portrait with dog (multiple people): starting at CHF 426. The configurator displays the exact price based on the format and frame.
Der Ablauf
- Upload photo im Configurator, Select format and frame.
- Künstler malt dein Bild — 2–5 Wochen, je nach Format und Detailgrad.
- Freigabe-Foto vor dem Trocknen — du gibst frei, Korrekturen sind dann noch möglich.
- Drying, Varnishing, Shipping — securely packaged, with tracking.
Every finished piece comes with a lifetime warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
My dog has passed away—can I still get a portrait?
Yes, that’s actually one of the most common occasions. Send us your photos; we take special care with commemorative portraits—see also our post A portrait of the deceased.
What if I only have photos from my cell phone?
This is usually not a problem. Modern cell phone photos are sharp enough. Important: Make sure there is natural light and that the image is clear. If you're unsure, we'll check your photo for free.
Can we change the background?
Yes. We can remove them, replace them with another location, or take people or objects out of the picture.
Can I combine multiple dogs from different photos into a single image?
Yes. Our artists regularly create such group portraits.
Ready for your dog's portrait?
Upload your favorite photo to the Configurator high — or check out the website Have an animal portrait painted. Are you looking for a cat or a horse? Check out our guide Have a portrait of your cat painted oder Have a portrait of your horse painted. If you have any questions beforehand: Contact Form or via WhatsApp.
