A Custom Dog Mug With Your Dog's Face: How to Choose
Updated November 3, 2026
For a coffee lover who adores their dog, get the dog's face drawn from a photo on a 15 oz mug, printed on both sides so it faces them whichever hand they hold it with. Ours is $39.99 for 15 oz or $34.99 for 11 oz, free US shipping, drawn by AI in the style you pick, with the dog's name, and you see the exact mug before you pay. The three choices that make the biggest difference are below.
1. Photo or drawing?
| The photo, as-is | A drawn portrait (cartoon, watercolor, realistic, royal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks like | The photo, with the background removed | An illustration of their dog |
| Best when | The photo is sharp and the dog fills the frame | The photo is a bit soft, busy or dark: drawing tidies it up |
| On a mug, it reads | Like a keepsake photo | Like a designed object; bolder from across the table |
| Ours | Pet photo mug | Custom dog mug |
Verdict: for most phone photos, a drawn portrait looks better printed on a curved mug. If they have one perfect photo they love, keep it as a photo.
2. Which style?
- Cartoon: bold outlines and bright colour; the most fun, and it reads clearly on a small mug.
- Watercolor: soft and painterly; lovely for older dogs and for gifts to calmer personalities. See the watercolor dog mug.
- Realistic: the closest to the actual dog, markings and all.
- Royal: their dog in a crown and robe; the royal dog mug is the joke gift.
You can try every style free on your photo before choosing.
3. Size and sides
| 11 oz | 15 oz | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (free US shipping) | $34.99 | $39.99 |
| Holds | A standard coffee | A large coffee or a tea with room for milk |
| Print area | Standard | Taller, so the face prints bigger |
Both sizes can be printed on one side or both. Both sides means the dog faces out for a right-hander and a left-hander alike, and it is the same price.
The mug itself
White ceramic with a glossy finish, sublimation printed in the US, microwave and dishwasher safe, lead- and BPA-free (care details: is a custom pet mug dishwasher safe?). It is made in 2 to 5 business days and arrives 3 to 7 days later. To compare us with other shops, see the best sites for a personalized pet mug.
Questions
What photo works best for a dog's face?
At their eye level, in daylight, with the whole face in focus and both eyes visible. A treat held above the camera gets the ears up. The background is removed, so the room doesn't matter.
Can the name go on it?
Yes, under the portrait, in the font you choose, plus an optional second line such as "Est. 2021" or "Best Boy", up to 24 characters.
Can I add a second dog?
Yes. Up to three pets on one mug at no extra cost. A second copy of the same mug is $19.99, and a mug of a different dog in the same order is $5 off.
What if the print isn't right when it arrives?
We reprint it free; email a photo within 30 days of delivery.