Pet Portrait Commission Story – A Custom Lurcher Dog Painting of Jack & Rosie
Every pet portrait commission tells a story, and this custom dog portrait of Jack and Rosie was one filled with love, joy, and deep emotional connection. These two beautiful Lurchers were commissioned as a special birthday gift for Bernard, from his mum, Margaret. I had the honour of creating a hand-painted portrait that captured both dogs’ unique personalities, and it became a truly treasured gift he will keep forever.
🐾 About Lurchers – Gentle Souls with Big Hearts
Lurchers are sighthound crosses, typically bred from breeds like Greyhounds, Whippets, or Salukis mixed with Collies or Terriers. Known for their slim build, expressive eyes, and elegant features, they are intelligent, gentle, and incredibly loving dogs. Many Lurchers are rescue dogs, often finding new homes through rehoming centres across the UK and Ireland.
What makes Lurchers especially popular among dog lovers is their loyal and sensitive nature. They are calm and affectionate indoors, yet playful and full of charm outside. Their soulful gaze and unique markings make them wonderful subjects for custom dog portraits, allowing their soft personalities and emotional depth to shine on canvas.
🎨 The Story of Jack & Rosie
The portrait featured two beautiful Lurchers, Jack and Rosie, both rescue dogs from Ireland. Their story deeply touched me while I worked on this commission.
Jack was rescued from the Blue Cross in Bromsgrove after being found as a stray in Ireland. When he was adopted, he was believed to be around 2–3 years old, making him roughly 11 at the time of this portrait. Despite a difficult start in life, Jack grew into a gentle, loving, and happy dog.
Rosie joined the family two years later — also a rescue from Ireland — but with a very different personality. She was adopted to keep Jack company in his senior years, and now the two are inseparable (although Jack still proudly remains the boss!). Rosie is full of energy and affectionately goes by the nickname DozyRosieMcPosie. Their bond is heartwarming, and I aimed to reflect their individual spirits in every brushstroke.
💬 Client Feedback That Touched My Heart
“The portraits of Jack and Rosie are amazing! We felt we wanted to reach out and stroke them they are so realistic. I’m sure you were able to sense how pleased Bernard was with it. Thank you so much for helping us to find a wonderful birthday present for Bernard.”
— Margaret
“A lot of my friends have seen the picture and they all say Wow!!! how beautiful and how wonderfully you have painted Jack and Rosie! They are so true to life they expect them to move and bark and wag their tails.”
— Bernard
Their words mean so much to me and remind me why I love creating custom pet portraits — they are not just paintings; they are emotional keepsakes that celebrate a bond unlike any other.
🖌️ Bringing Their Personalities to Life
With Lurchers, it’s all in the eyes and expression. Jack’s wise, calm gaze spoke of loyalty and gentleness, while Rosie’s bright, slightly mischievous look revealed her playful nature. I focused on the fine details of their fur and the subtle emotional nuances in their faces to ensure their characters came alive on the canvas.
🎁 Looking for a Special Gift?
A custom pet portrait commission makes a meaningful gift for birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, or simply as a way to celebrate the unconditional love of a furry family member. Whether you have a Lurcher, Greyhound, Whippet, Collie cross, or any beloved pet, I would be honoured to create a unique hand-painted portrait that captures their soul.
If you are thinking about commissioning your own pet portrait, I work individually on every painting to ensure it reflects your pet’s unique character. All I need is a few reference photos, and we can discuss pose, background and whether you’d like multiple pets combined into one portrait. You can view more examples of my work in my gallery, and if you would like to enquire about a portrait, you are welcome to contact me. Gift vouchers are also available, which make a perfect present for birthdays, memorials or special occasions. If you would like to purchase a voucher or browse my shop, please check out my shop and get in touch if you have any questions.
