How to Draw a Cartoon Dog

In the previous tutorial, we created an easy to draw dog. This time we’ll draw a super-cute cartoon dog. This drawing tutorial is a little more complicated, but if you go carefully and follow the step-by-step instructions, it should be easy to create a fabulous looking cartoon dog drawing.

We will be using some basic shapes to get the dog’s proportions right. Draw the early steps with a light touch as those lines will be erased later.

In the guide below, each step is highlighted in a light blue color.

You don’t need any special pens or tools. A regular pencil, eraser, and paper are all you need. If you want, you can also color the drawing with colored pencils or pens.

You can find a video version of this drawing tutorial below, as well as a printable PDF version.

If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Simple Dog, Simple Cat, and Cartoon Cat.

Watch 'How to Draw a Cartoon Dog' Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing a Cartoon Dog

We’ll start by drawing a circle on the left side of the paper for the dog’s head.

Next, add another circle on the right for the rump. Place it a little lower than the first circle.

Draw a cone shape for the muzzle.

Connect the circles with two curving lines.

Sketch four curving lines where the legs are going to be.

Draw a curved pointy tail.

Draw two curving lines on both sides of each leg line to outline the legs.

Sketch rectangles with curved sides for the dog paws.

Add a triangle for the nose.

Add the details to muzzle and a smiling mouth and two arcs for the chin and cheek.

Detail the teeth and tongue.

Draw a curved line to separate the muzzle. Add details to the nose.

Draw curved lines to separate the belly area and the tip of the dog’s tail.

Add details to the paws.

Draw the ears like heart shapes.

Add a curved line in front of the ear. Our dog drawing is going to have spots.

Draw an eye like a D-shape.

Add pupils and eye brows.

Finally, draw some spots on the dog’s back.

Your cartoon dog drawing is ready for coloring. How do you like it?