How to Commission a Pet Portrait in Ireland — A Complete Guide

If you're thinking about commissioning a pet portrait in Ireland — whether for yourself, as a gift for a pet lover, or to honour a pet you've lost — this guide covers everything you need to know. From choosing the right artist and getting the best photos, to understanding what to expect from the process and how much it costs.

At Paw & Mane, I create hand-painted portraits of dogs, cats and horses for customers across Ireland and the UK, delivered free to your door. But this guide is designed to be genuinely useful whether you commission from us or anywhere else.

Is commissioning a pet portrait in Ireland easy?

The short answer is yes — and it's easier than most people expect. The majority of pet portrait artists in Ireland work remotely from photos, which means geography is essentially irrelevant. Whether you're in Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Cork or Donegal, you can commission a portrait from an artist based anywhere in Ireland or the UK, and have it delivered to your door.

The process typically works like this: you find an artist whose style appeals to you, send them your photos, agree on the size and details, and they get to work. A good artist will keep you updated throughout and send a preview image before the portrait is completed.

At Paw & Mane, I work with customers across the island of Ireland regularly. Being based in Northern Ireland gives us a natural connection to both the Republic and Northern Ireland — and we deliver free to every county. You can see examples of our work on our dog and cat portraits page and our horse portraits page.

What to look for in a pet portrait artist in Ireland

Look at their actual work. A portfolio of completed portraits is the most important thing to assess. Look for consistency — can they paint different breeds convincingly? Do the eyes look alive? Does the fur have texture? Style matters too: some artists work in pencil or pastel, others in oil or acrylic. You can read a detailed comparison of portrait styles and mediums in our guide to choosing the best medium for your pet portrait, which covers the key differences between oil, watercolour, pencil and digital art.

Check reviews and testimonials. Genuine, named reviews from real customers matter more than star ratings alone. Look for reviews that mention specific details — the communication, the likeness, the delivery experience. You can read reviews from Paw & Mane customers across Ireland on our Google Business Profile.

Understand the payment terms. A reputable artist should be transparent about pricing. Be cautious of anyone asking for full payment upfront before you've seen any work. At Paw & Mane, no deposit is ever required — you see the portrait before you pay. You can see a full breakdown of our portrait sizes and pricing  before you commit to anything.

Ask about turnaround time. If you need the portrait by a specific date — for a birthday, Christmas, or another occasion — ask upfront. Most portraits at Paw &Mane are completed within two to four weeks.

Getting the right photos

The quality of your reference photos has a bigger impact on the final portrait than most people realise. Here's what works best.

Natural light is everything. Photos taken outdoors or near a window in daylight capture the true colour of your pet's coat far better than artificial indoor lighting. Avoid flash — it flattens features and creates harsh shadows.

A clear, close-up shot of the face is ideal. The eyes are the most important element of any portrait. A photo where they're sharp and well-lit gives the artist the best chance of capturing your pet's personality.

Personality over perfection. The technically best photo isn't always the right one. The slightly imperfect photo of your dog in their favourite spot, doing something completely them, often makes the best portrait. Trust your instincts.

Don't worry if you only have a few options. We can work from a single good image. Send everything you have and we'll advise on which will work best. Our commissions page has more guidance on what to send when you get in touch.

How much does a pet portrait cost in Ireland?

Prices vary depending on the artist, medium, size and level of detail. Here is a general guide.

Digital or printed portraits are typically the most affordable, starting from around €50–€100. These are created digitally and printed rather than being an original hand-painted piece.

Pencil and charcoal portraits from hand-drawn artists typically start from around €150–€250 for a small single-animal portrait.

Original hand-painted portraits are generally the most investment, with many artists charging €300–€600 and upwards for a single animal. The materials, time and skill involved in painting on canvas with professional-grade paints account for the difference.

At Paw & Mane, hand-painted portraits [INTERNAL] start from £150 (approximately €175) for a small canvas, with free delivery across Ireland included. No deposit is required — you only pay once you've seen the completed work. Our full pricing guide shows all available sizes from small to XL.

Popular pet portrait choices in Ireland

Dog portraits are by far the most commissioned type in Ireland. Popular breeds include Irish Setters, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Jack Russells, Border Collies, Lurchers, Greyhounds, and every type of rescue crossbreed. If you've ever thought "someone should paint my dog" — now's the time.

Horse portraits hold a special place in Ireland, where the relationship between people and horses is part of the culture. Sport horses, thoroughbreds, connemara ponies, Irish Drafts, Warmbloods and beloved family cobs are all popular subjects. A portrait makes a meaningful gift for a rider, an owner, or anyone who has a horse they love.

Cat portraits complete the picture. Cats can be more challenging to photograph than dogs — they tend to be less cooperative — but when you catch them in the right moment, the results make for beautiful paintings.

Pet portraits as gifts in Ireland

A custom pet portrait gift  is one of the most meaningful things you can give to a pet lover in Ireland. It works for almost any occasion — birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day, a new puppy, or a retirement present for someone who loves their animal.

The process is designed to be gift-friendly. You can commission the portrait without the recipient knowing — just send the photos yourself and have it shipped directly to you or to them as a surprise. No deposit means no financial risk before you've seen the result.

If you're not ready to organise photos yourself, a Paw & Mane gift card lets the recipient choose and commission their own portrait directly.

Many Irish customers commission portraits as Christmas gifts, which means ordering in October or November is ideal to guarantee delivery in time. Our Christmas gift ideas guide covers this in more detail.

Memorial pet portraits in Ireland

Losing a pet is genuinely painful, and it's a feeling pet owners across Ireland know well. A memorial portrait — a hand-painted painting of a pet who has passed — offers a way to keep them close in a way that feels meaningful and permanent.

Many of the most moving commissions I receive are memorial portraits. Often the person doesn't have a perfect photo — just the photos they happened to take over the years, the ones that caught their dog or cat in a natural moment. Those are usually the best ones to paint from, because they captured something real.

If you're thinking about a memorial portrait for yourself or as a gift for someone who has lost a pet, please get in touch. There's no pressure and no rush — just an honest conversation about what might be possible.

If you're ready to commission a pet portrait in Ireland, I'd love to hear from you.

Fill out the commission form — I'll get back to you within 24 hours.