Terrier Dog Portraits
Terriers are full of character, energy and personality, which makes them wonderful subjects for custom dog portraits. Each breed has its own distinctive expression and features, from the lively alert look of a Jack Russell Terrier to the characteristic beard and eyebrows of a Miniature Schnauzer.
I create hand-painted dog portraits from your favourite photographs, carefully capturing the individual expression, colouring and personality that make your dog unique. Below you can explore examples of portraits I have painted featuring different terrier breeds.
This beautiful Tri Colour Jack Russell Terrier was such a pleasure to work on. I loved it's engaging expression!
Terrier Portrait Examples
Miniature Schnauzer Portraits
Miniature Schnauzers are instantly recognisable thanks to their distinctive beards and expressive eyebrows. These features give them a wonderfully characterful appearance, which makes them particularly rewarding to paint in a portrait.
You can view more examples of Miniature Schnauzer dog portraits here.
Yorkshire Terrier Portraits
Yorkshire Terriers have beautiful flowing coats and bright, expressive eyes that translate wonderfully into detailed portrait paintings. Their elegant appearance and lively personalities make them a popular subject for custom pet portraits.
See more examples of Yorkshire Terrier portraits.
Border Terrier Portraits
Border Terriers have wonderfully expressive faces and a distinctive slightly scruffy coat that gives them great character in a painted portrait. Capturing their gentle expression and unique coat texture can create a particularly charming artwork.
View examples of Border Terrier dog portraits.
Jack Russell Terrier Portraits
Jack Russell Terriers are lively, intelligent dogs with bright expressions and distinctive markings. Their alert expressions and energetic personalities make them fantastic subjects for custom dog portraits.
You can see more examples of Jack Russell Terrier portraits.
Other Terrier Portrait Examples
Over the years I have painted portraits of many different terrier breeds, each with their own distinctive character and appearance.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier Portraits
Staffordshire Bull Terriers have wonderfully expressive faces and muscular builds combined with a gentle and affectionate expression. Their broad heads and distinctive smiles make them particularly striking subjects for portrait paintings.
More examples of Staffordshire Bull Terrier portraits will be added here soon.
West Highland Terrier Portraits
West Highland White Terriers, often known as Westies, have bright expressions and beautiful white coats that stand out wonderfully in a painted portrait. Their cheerful personalities and distinctive appearance make them a favourite subject for dog portrait commissions.
Examples of West Highland Terrier portraits will be added here soon.
English Bull Terrier Portraits
English Bull Terriers have a very distinctive appearance, with their unique egg-shaped heads and strong, muscular build. These striking features create bold and memorable dog portraits.
Fox Terrier Portraits
Fox Terriers are alert, intelligent dogs with lively expressions and distinctive markings that make them striking subjects for portrait paintings. Their energetic personalities and confident stance can create particularly characterful dog portraits.
This Fox Terrier had such a beautiful coat to depict and gentle expression to convey.
Choosing the Right Size for a Terrier Portrait
Choosing the right size for a terrier portrait depends partly on the size of your dog and whether you would like a head study or a full body portrait.
For smaller terrier breeds such as Jack Russell Terriers, Border Terriers or Australian Terriers, an 8" × 10" or 12" × 9" portrait works very well for a head and shoulders study. These sizes allow the expression and character of the dog to be captured in detail.
For medium sized terriers such as West Highland White Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers, a slightly larger size such as 12" × 9" or 16" × 12" can work particularly well.
For larger terrier breeds including Airedales or Bull Terriers, many clients prefer a 16" × 12", 18" × 14" or larger portrait so that the dog's strong features and proportions are shown clearly.
If you would like a full body portrait, a 16" × 12" size can work well for smaller terriers, while 18" × 14" or larger sizes are often better suited to medium and larger breeds.
Commission a Terrier Portrait
If you would like to commission a portrait of your terrier, I work from your favourite photographs to create a detailed hand-painted portrait that captures your dog's character and expression.
You can find more information about the portrait process, available sizes and how to order on the commissions page.
We have received the portrait of Rino and we framed it immediately, we are delighted with it and it is getting pride of place in the living room.
Karina McDade (Lanarkshire, Scotland)
Contact Julie
• ask me a question by filling in this form
• Email your photos to find out which ones can become a portrait
• Feel free to ring me on (01243) 773123
• or commission a portrait here