Your dog who always wags just a little too enthusiastically, or your cat who rules the house from the windowsill: pets are family. That is why more and more people have a portrait made of their pet, to hang on their own wall or to give as a gift. In this article you will learn which kinds of pet portraits exist, roughly what they cost and how to make sure the result really looks like your animal.

What kinds of pet portraits are there?

Broadly speaking, there are three ways to have a portrait of your pet made:

  • Hand-painted or drawn by an artist. An illustrator or painter works from your photo in pencil, charcoal, watercolour or oil. You get a unique original, but you also pay for the hours that go into it.
  • Digitally edited by a designer. A designer manually turns your photo into a particular style, such as a pop-art or watercolour look. Faster and cheaper than a painting, but often with a wait of a few days.
  • Digitally created with the help of AI. You upload a photo and choose a style. Within minutes you see the result. At Get Your Print Together you first get a free watermarked preview, so you only decide once you love it.

None of these is better or worse: it depends on your budget, your timing and how much a hand-made original matters to you.

How much does a pet portrait cost?

Prices vary widely. A hand-drawn or painted portrait by an artist quickly costs several hundred euros, depending on the size, the technique and the number of animals. On top of that, expect a delivery time of several weeks.

A digital portrait is a lot more affordable. At Get Your Print Together the preview is free. If you are happy with it, you choose:

  • A poster on Premium Matte paper (200 g/m²) in 30 × 40, 40 × 50 or 50 × 70 cm, from €31.95 including shipping. Posters are currently delivered within the Netherlands.
  • A high-resolution digital download (a 4096 × 5120 pixel PNG without watermark) for €14.95, if you would rather print it yourself or have it put on canvas. The download is available wherever you live.

See all sizes and prices on the products page.

Which style suits your pet?

The best portraits match your pet's personality. A few examples of styles you can choose:

  • Classic (Renaissance or Van Gogh): your dog or cat as a nobleman in velvet and lace, or with the expressive brushstrokes of a post-impressionist. Perfect for animals with a royal attitude.
  • Magazine: a magazine cover with your pet's name as the headline and a few funny cover lines about their quirks.
  • Studio: a clean, modern portrait with professional lighting and a background colour that makes the coat stand out.
  • Vacation: your pet at the destination of your dreams, from a tropical beach to a snowy mountain cabin.
  • Heaven: a loving, peaceful portrait among soft clouds, in memory of a pet who is no longer with you.

Can't decide? Pick the style that makes you smile first. It is usually the right one.

How to get a portrait that really looks like your pet

The most important ingredient is a good photo. A sharp photo with the eyes clearly visible, taken in daylight and roughly at your pet's eye level, gives by far the best result. An ordinary photo from your phone is fine. Our article on the best photo for a pet portrait explains exactly what to look for.

Also keep these points in mind:

  1. Choose one clear main photo. One sharp photo is better than a blurry one with a nice background.
  2. Look closely at the preview. Do the markings, eye colour and ear shape match? At Get Your Print Together you can ask for a new version with a short note, for example "the spot on his nose is bigger".
  3. Think about where it will hang. Above the sofa a portrait can be large (50 × 70 cm); in a hallway or study, 30 × 40 cm often looks better.

A pet portrait as a gift

A pet portrait is one of the most personal gifts you can give, for a birthday, Christmas or Mother's Day. Want it to be a surprise? Quietly ask a family member for a nice photo, or find one on social media. With a digital download you can also frame the gift yourself or have it printed on canvas.

A portrait can also bring comfort after losing a pet. Read more in our article with ideas for a keepsake of a pet who has passed away.

Ready to start?

Upload a photo of your dog, cat or other pet, choose a style and receive a free preview in your inbox within minutes. Only when you are happy do you choose a poster or download. For your privacy we keep your photo and artwork for five days; after that they are deleted automatically.