How to Draw an Angry Dog: Easy 10-Step Cartoon Guide

Ready to add some attitude to your sketchbook? This tutorial is perfect for artists ages 7+ looking to master expressive cartoon faces. You’ll only need a pencil, an eraser, and a piece of paper to bring this grumpy bulldog to life.

10 Steps

🎯 Final Result

A finished, colored cartoon illustration of an angry bulldog wearing a spiked collar.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sketching the Expressive Eyes

Close-up sketch of a dog's eyes with furrowed brows showing an angry expression.

Start by drawing the eyes. Outline the brow and cheek using long, arched lines to create that 'angry' squint. Tip: Keep your pencil pressure light so you can easily adjust the shape of the brow later.

Step 2: Defining the Snout and Grin

Drawing the nose and mouth area of the angry dog, emphasizing the snout structure.

Draw a rounded triangle for the nose, then add a 'W' shape underneath for the mouth. Tip: The closer the brow is to the eyes, the angrier your dog will look!

Step 3: Opening the Mouth

Sketching the open jaw and sharp teeth of the angry dog character.

Use long, sweeping curved lines to outline the top and bottom of the open mouth. Add sharp, triangular shapes for the teeth. Tip: Make the teeth slightly uneven to give the dog more personality.

Step 4: Adding More Teeth

Adding rows of teeth inside the open mouth of the dog drawing.

Fill the mouth with a series of 'U' shaped lines to create the back teeth. Tip: Ensure these are smaller than the front teeth to create a sense of depth inside the mouth.

Step 5: Defining the Jaw and Head

Defining the jawline and the top of the dog's head with curved lines.

Outline the gum line with 'U' shapes, then draw the lower lip, chin, and the top of the head using bold, curved lines. Tip: Use a confident, single stroke for the chin to make it look strong and sturdy.

Step 6: Drawing the First Ear

Sketching the floppy ear on the side of the angry dog's head.

Use overlapping curved lines to draw the ear and the side of the face. Tip: Think of the ear as a floppy triangle—don't worry about making it perfectly symmetrical!

Step 7: Adding Jowls and the Second Ear

Adding the jowls and the second ear to complete the dog's head shape.

Draw the heavy jowls with long, curved lines, then sketch the second ear. Tip: Jowls are what give bulldogs their classic, grumpy look, so make them nice and droopy.

Step 8: Designing the Spiked Collar

Drawing a spiked collar around the dog's neck.

Draw a thick band around the neck and add round and triangular shapes for the spikes. Tip: Spikes are just triangles—try to space them evenly for a clean look.

Step 9: Final Details

Adding final facial details and whisker spots to the angry dog drawing.

Add final touches like small dots for whiskers and extra contour lines on the cheeks and brow. Tip: These small details add texture and make your cartoon character look professional.

Step 10: Bringing it to Life with Color

The final colored drawing of an angry bulldog with a red spiked collar.

Time to color! Use grey for the fur and a bold red for the collar to make it pop. Tip: Try using a darker grey for the shadows under the jowls to give your drawing a 3D effect.