Presidential Pet Portraits

Your pet as the first president

This style paints your pet as George Washington in a formal eighteenth-century portrait. They wear a white powdered wig tied at the back with a black ribbon, a black tricorn hat, and the blue coat of the Continental Army with buff facings, brass buttons and gold epaulettes. A thirteen-star flag hangs behind, and the whole picture sits within a painted oval, in the manner of the formal portraits of the early American republic. Only the costume is borrowed: the face, ears and eyes are your pet's, and no human features are added.

A note on the wig

Washington is generally said to have powdered his own hair rather than wear a wig, but the white wig with its black ribbon is the look everyone recognises, so that is what your pet gets. It sits on top of the head with the ears showing, so the likeness is never lost under the curls.

Costume and setting choices

Pick the full outfit with tricorn and wig, the wig and coat without a hat, a heavy winter cloak over the uniform, or the black velvet suit and lace jabot of a statesman in office. For the background, choose the classic oval portrait, a draped thirteen-star flag, a candlelit study with a quill and writing desk, or the dramatic river crossing.

The icy river crossing

This setting is a new composition inspired by the famous painting of Washington crossing the Delaware. Your pet stands in the bow of a wooden rowing boat on an icy river at dawn, with chunks of ice drifting past, a grey winter sky turning pink at the horizon and a flag streaming in the wind behind. It works best in landscape orientation.

Who it suits

It is a natural fit for Washington's Birthday, the federal holiday on the third Monday in February that most people call Presidents' Day, and it works for the Fourth of July too. History teachers, Revolutionary War enthusiasts and anyone whose pet carries itself with presidential dignity will enjoy it. Our Presidents' Day portrait ideas page has more on the holiday.

Best pets and photos

Dogs with a serious expression, such as bulldogs, basset hounds and Boston terriers, look born to command, but cats, ferrets, bearded dragons and parrots make wonderfully solemn presidents too. Use a sharp, forward-facing or three-quarter photo with the top of the head visible so the wig and hat can sit naturally. See how to take a good pet photo.

Lettering and prints

Add a name and title, perhaps "President Waffles", in an engraved font beneath the oval. Our software adds it after the artwork is made, so it is spelled precisely. A framed print in a dark wood or gilt-effect frame completes the look. For other uniforms, see the military general portrait, or explore the holiday collection.

The wig, the hat and the brushwork are produced by AI from your photo. Paint your pet as president.