Dog Paint by Numbers Kits

One of the joys of dog paint by numbers is the incredible range of breeds represented. Whether you are a fan of big, bouncy retrievers or tiny, spirited terriers, there is a design waiting for you. Here are the breeds that consistently top the popularity charts.

Golden Retrievers and Labradors

It is no surprise that the world's most popular dog breeds are also the most painted. Golden retrievers, with their warm, flowing coats and gentle expressions, make for absolutely gorgeous paint by numbers subjects. The various shades of gold, cream, and amber in their fur create a rich, warm palette that is a pleasure to work with. Labradors, in chocolate, yellow, and black , are equally popular and offer slightly different colour challenges.

German Shepherds and Huskies

These striking breeds are favourites among painters who love dramatic contrast. The bold black and tan markings of a German Shepherd or the blue-eyed intensity of a Siberian Husky create paintings with real visual impact. The clearly defined colour zones in these breeds also make them particularly well-suited to the paint by numbers format.

Pugs, Bulldogs, and Character Breeds

Dogs with expressive, characterful faces are incredibly fun to paint. Pugs with their wrinkled brows, French Bulldogs with their bat ears, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with their soulful eyes, these breeds practically leap off the canvas with personality. They tend to have simpler coat patterns too, making them excellent choices for beginners.

Small Breeds With Big Personality

Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds, and Shih Tzus may be small in stature, but they make big statements on canvas. Their distinctive features, the Pomeranian's fluffy mane, the Yorkie's silky coat, the Dachshund's elongated body , give each painting unmistakable character. Browse our paint by numbers collection to find your breed.

Dog fur comes in an astonishing variety of textures, from the sleek, short coat of a Doberman to the fluffy double coat of a Samoyed. Your brushwork is what brings these different textures to life on canvas, even within the structured format of a paint by numbers kit.

Short-Haired Breeds

For dogs like Boxers, Dalmatians, and Greyhounds, use very short, tight brushstrokes that follow the contour of the body. The fur on these breeds lies flat and smooth, so your paint should look similarly sleek. Apply thin, even coats and resist the urge to build up texture. The beauty of short-haired breeds in paint is their clean lines and the way light plays across smooth surfaces.

Long-Haired Breeds

Golden Retrievers, Afghan Hounds, and Collies have flowing coats that demand a different approach. Use longer, sweeping brushstrokes that follow the direction of the fur. Where the fur feathers out, around the ears, chest, and tail , let your strokes taper naturally. Building up layers works particularly well here: lay down a base colour, let it dry, then add lighter strokes on top to create the illusion of individual hairs catching the light.

Curly and Wiry Coats

Poodles, Bichon Frises, and Wire Fox Terriers have coats that require a stippling or dabbing technique. Instead of stroking, press your brush against the canvas in a dabbing motion to create a textured, almost pointillist effect. This mimics the way curly and wiry hair catches light from multiple angles, creating a lively, dimensional surface.

While breed-specific designs are wonderful, nothing compares to painting a portrait of your own dog. Custom pet paint by numbers kits transform your favourite photograph into a personalised, numbered canvas that captures your dog's unique personality.

How the Custom Process Works

The process is refreshingly simple. You upload a high-quality photo of your dog, select your preferred canvas size, and place your order. Our design team then converts your photo into a paint by numbers template, carefully mapping out each colour zone and numbering the sections. You receive a complete kit with the printed canvas, all the matched paint colours, and brushes, everything you need to bring your pup to life on canvas.

Tips for the Perfect Photo

Your finished painting can only be as good as the photo you start with. Here is how to capture the best possible reference image:

• Get on their level. Photographs taken at your dog's eye level are far more engaging than those shot from above. Kneel or lie down to meet them face to face.
• Use natural light. Photograph your dog near a window or outdoors in soft, even light. Harsh shadows and flash flatten features and lose detail.
• Capture their personality. The best pet portraits show character. Catch them mid-head-tilt, with their tongue out, or gazing at you with that look only dog owners know.
• Keep the background simple. A clean background means more canvas space dedicated to your dog rather than cluttered surroundings.

Canvas Size Considerations

For custom dog portraits, we generally recommend going larger rather than smaller. A bigger canvas means more space for detail, particularly around the face and eyes where personality shines through. A 50x65cm or 60x75cm canvas gives the designer room to capture all those distinctive features that make your dog uniquely yours. Read more about custom options in our custom pet paint by numbers guide.

Losing a dog leaves a hole in your heart that never quite fills. A memorial dog paint by numbers kit offers a meaningful way to process that grief while creating something beautiful that celebrates your companion's life.

Many of our customers tell us that painting their dog's portrait after they have passed away becomes a deeply healing experience. Each numbered section becomes a meditation, a quiet moment to remember walks in the park, couch cuddles, and the unbridled joy of coming home to a wagging tail.

Creating a Meaningful Memorial

Choose your favourite photograph of your dog, the one that best captures who they were. Perhaps it is a candid shot of them running on the beach, a peaceful portrait of them sleeping in their favourite spot, or an action shot that shows their boundless energy. The image that makes you smile through the tears is usually the right one.

Display With Love

Once completed, your memorial painting deserves a place of honour in your home. Many people choose to display it alongside other mementos, perhaps near their dog's collar, a favourite toy, or a small candle. Some frame the painting with a small engraved nameplate below. However you choose to display it, it becomes a permanent, hand-painted tribute to the love you shared.

Gifting a Memorial Kit

If someone you love has recently lost a dog, a custom memorial paint by numbers kit is one of the most thoughtful sympathy gifts imaginable. It acknowledges the depth of their loss and gives them a healing creative outlet. Just be mindful of timing, give them space to grieve first, and offer it when they are ready to celebrate their dog's memory through art.

Beyond fur texture, there are several key techniques that will improve your dog painting from good to truly impressive.

Eyes: The Window to the Soul

A dog's eyes communicate everything, love, mischief, loyalty, playfulness. Getting them right is the single most important detail in your painting. Use your smallest brush, work slowly, and build up colour in layers. The dark pupil, the coloured iris, the white highlight , each element matters. That tiny dot of white representing reflected light is what makes painted eyes look alive.

The Nose: Texture and Shine

A dog's nose has a distinctive wet, slightly bumpy texture. When painting the nose sections, use a stippling technique to create that subtle texture rather than smooth, flat strokes. If your kit includes a light highlight colour for the nose, apply it sparingly, just a tiny crescent of light on the upper surface suggests that characteristic wet shine.

Ears and Expression

Whether your dog has floppy ears, pointed ears, or anything in between, the ears contribute enormously to expression. Pay attention to the inner ear sections, which are usually softer in tone and colour. The transition from the outer ear to the inner ear should feel gradual and natural. Floppy-eared breeds like Beagles and Spaniels have beautiful shadow areas where the ear folds that add real dimension to the portrait.

Background Choices

Many dog paint by numbers kits include a background, a park setting, a simple colour wash, or a patterned backdrop. Do not rush through the background just because it is not the "star" of the painting. A well-painted background provides context and contrast that makes your dog portrait pop. Complete it with the same care you give to your dog's features, and the whole painting will feel cohesive and professional.

Dog owners love nothing more than celebrating their four-legged family members, and a dog paint by numbers kit ticks every gift-giving box: it is personal, creative, relaxing, and results in genuine artwork.

For the dog owner who has everything, consider creating a "paint night" experience. Package the kit with a bottle of their favourite drink, some nice snacks, and perhaps a cosy blanket. It is an evening of creative relaxation that celebrates their love for their dog. And the finished painting? That is a keepsake they will treasure for years.