Custom Cartoon Dog Sculptures from Photos
Sitting, standing, or the pose he actually held — sculpted from your photos at any size from 1.5 m up.
Dogs are the commission we make most often. The whole animal is carried in the ear set, the eye and the way the head sits on the shoulders — which is what we sculpt toward, even when the proportions are pushed for character.
Below: what each scale costs and how long it takes, where a piece that size belongs, and what each material means for how long it lasts.
Size — Material — Price
| Size | FRP Fibreglass | Stainless Steel — for comparison |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5–2.0 m | $1,500–$4,900 | $1,200–$12,000 |
| 2.0–3.0 m | $3,800–$15,000 | $3,090–$12,090 |
| 3.0 m + | $8,000–$35,000 | $28,000–$55,000 |
* This price is for rough reference only; a detailed quote will be provided based on the specific details of each project.
What Size, And In What Finish?
Fibreglass, And What It Is Compared Against
FRP fibreglass — the material we build in
Layered glass-fibre in a mould over an internal steel frame, then multi-layer automotive paint with hand-painted detail and a UV clear coat. It is the only material here that reproduces an exact colour, and above 1.5 m it typically costs 50–70% less than stainless steel for the same shape. Outdoor life is 15–20 years before the coat needs refreshing; a good workshop will warrant it for up to 30.
Stainless steel — for comparison only
Fabricated and welded from sheet and tube rather than moulded. It lasts 50+ years outdoors with no recoating, which is genuinely better than fibreglass, and it is competitive on smooth geometric forms. Where it loses is colour and likeness, and detailed stainless work runs 2.5–4 times the fibreglass price. We list it so you can see the trade-off; we do not fabricate it.
True bronze — for comparison only
Bronze is coloured with a chemical patina rather than paint, so it cannot reproduce a specific coat or shirt colour. We still cast it for memorial work; it is listed here so you can see why it is the wrong tool for a cartoon sculpture.
Cold-cast resin — for comparison only
Bronze powder in resin, hand-painted, indoor only, and it cannot be re-patinated. We list it so you can recognise it, not so you can buy it: our smallest pieces are 1.5 m.
What every quote states
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If a quote omits any of these, ask.
Cartoon Dog Commissions
Cartoon Dog Sculpture FAQ
What photos do I need for a dog sculpture?
Two or three clear shots: a front view and a profile, plus anything that shows ear set, tail carriage and body shape. Old photographs and phone video are exactly what we expect to work from, and good light helps the likeness more than resolution does.
Can you match my dog's exact coat colour?
Yes. Fibreglass is finished with multi-layer automotive paint and hand-painted detail, which reproduces a specific coat, white markings and eye colour precisely. The one thing it cannot do is match a metal patina — which is why we build in fibreglass rather than bronze.
Can I choose the pose?
Yes. Sitting, standing, lying, mid-run or head-tilt are all read from your photographs. If you have one favourite picture, that pose is usually the right one, and we will tell you if it is hard to read.
How much does a dog sculpture cost?
Surveyed ranges above 1.5 m run $1,500–$4,900 in fibreglass at the 1.5–2.0 m size, $3,800–$15,000 at 2.0–3.0 m, and $8,000–$35,000 above that. A simple painted finish sits at the lower end; hand-painted detail at the upper end.
Will a dog sculpture survive outdoors?
Yes. Fibreglass is UV-coated and good for 15–20 years outdoors before the clear coat needs refreshing, and a good workshop will warrant it for up to 30. Keep the base above grade with drainage underneath, because freeze-thaw is harder on a piece than rain.
How long does a dog sculpture take?
About 6–9 weeks for a 1.5–2.0 m piece, and 9–12 weeks up to 3 m. Anything larger is built in sections, which adds time to the frame and the assembly.
Do you offer smaller indoor keepsakes?
No. We build at scale only — our smallest pieces are 1.5 m. Cold-cast resin appears on our materials page for comparison only, so you can see why a painted resin piece is not right for a large outdoor installation.
What should a quote include?
The laminate and paint specification, the UV clear-coat type, the internal steel frame, structural calculations where the piece is over 2 m, door-to-door freight, who pays import duty, who handles rigging and installation, and the warranty period. If any of these is missing, ask — they are where a low quote hides its cost.