---
{
  "title": "How to Draw a Dog: Easy Step-by-Step Lesson | Pencilbloom",
  "description": "Learn how to draw a dog in 9 easy steps, with a picture for each one. A free lesson for beginners: draw on paper or trace it in the app.",
  "url": "https://pencilbloom.com/learn/how-to-draw-a-dog",
  "lang": "en",
  "kind": "lessons",
  "datePublished": "2026-10-28T00:47:55.005Z",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-28T00:47:55.005Z",
  "author": {
    "name": "Pencilbloom team",
    "url": "https://pencilbloom.com/authors/pencilbloom-team"
  },
  "publisher": "iHux"
}
---

# How to draw a dog, step by step

- Easy
- 12 min
- 9 steps
- 4 materials

By [Pencilbloom team](https://pencilbloom.com/authors/pencilbloom-team) Updated October 28, 2026

How to draw a dog: this free lesson draws a happy puppy in 9 easy steps, with a picture for every step, and it suits beginners and kids. You start with a circle for the head and an oval for the body, then mark the face guides. Next you draw the head with its long floppy ears, the body, legs and a small tail, and go over the outline to make it bold. You finish with the eyes, the nose and a smile. Draw it on paper, or trace each step in the Pencilbloom app.

![Line drawing of a smiling puppy with long floppy ears](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/art.svg)

## What you’ll need

- HB pencil
- Eraser
- Drawing paper
- Black fine-liner (optional)

## Draw it step by step

### Step 1: Block in the head

Lightly draw a large circle in the upper middle of the page for the head.

![how to draw a dog, step 1: Block in the head](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-01.svg)

### Step 2: Block in the body

Draw a rounded oval below the head, tucked under the chin and shifted slightly right.

![how to draw a dog, step 2: Block in the body](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-02.svg)

### Step 3: Mark the face guides

Draw a vertical center line through the head and a horizontal line halfway down for the eyes.

![how to draw a dog, step 3: Mark the face guides](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-03.svg)

### Step 4: Draw the head and ears

Follow the inner line of the head, with the long floppy ears hanging down on each side.

![how to draw a dog, step 4: Draw the head and ears](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-04.svg)

### Step 5: Draw the body and legs

Draw the body under the head, then the front and back legs down to the paws.

![how to draw a dog, step 5: Draw the body and legs](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-05.svg)

### Step 6: Add the tail

Draw the small tail on the side of the back.

![how to draw a dog, step 6: Add the tail](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-06.svg)

### Step 7: Go over the outline

Trace the outer line around the whole puppy, a pencil width outside the first one, for a bold outline.

![how to draw a dog, step 7: Go over the outline](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-07.svg)

### Step 8: Draw the eyes

Add the two round eyes, level with each other.

![how to draw a dog, step 8: Draw the eyes](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-08.svg)

### Step 9: Add the nose and mouth

Draw the nose between the eyes, then the smile under it.

![how to draw a dog, step 9: Add the nose and mouth](https://pencilbloom.com/media/lesson/lf6df92f86bef43fd9d62cd8503c7213b/687fcb5c089e3ab6/step-09.svg)

## FAQ

**What paper and pencil should I use for tracing?**

With the camera, any plain paper works, from printer paper to a sketchbook. For Trace on screen, use thin paper so the picture shines through. An HB pencil is good for guide lines and a softer 2B for darker final lines. Tape the paper down so it doesn't move.

**How do the step-by-step drawing lessons work?**

Each lesson builds a drawing in small steps, big shapes first and details last, with a picture for every step. You can draw along on paper while looking at the steps, or trace each step in the app. Many lessons are free, and you'll find them all on our Learn page.

## Keep exploring

- [Coloring pages](https://pencilbloom.com/coloring-pages)
- [Tracing guides](https://pencilbloom.com/guides)
- [Learn to draw](https://pencilbloom.com/learn)

Made by [iHux](https://ihux.co).