How to Draw a Poodle (Easy Step by Step)
A poodle is a great first fluffy dog to draw because it is made almost entirely of circles and cloud shapes. You will start with a big round head, add a puffy topknot and curly ears, then finish with a pom-pom tail. The bumpy outlines make it forgiving, since no two bumps have to match.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a poodle step by step
How to Draw a Poodle · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch these 2 ovals. They only show where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase them at the end.
Step 2: The head
Draw a big round oval for the head, a little wider than it is tall. Make the edge a bit bumpy so it looks fluffy.
Step 3: The fluffy topknot
On top of the head, draw a small puffy cloud shape with a few bumps. Start and end it on the top edge of the head, one on each side.
Step 4: The body and feet
Under the head, draw two long lines that curve down like a tall bell shape. Finish with two rounded paws at the bottom, with a little notch between them.
Step 5: The curly ears
Draw a bumpy, cloud-like ear on each side of the head. Start each one at the head, loop it out and around, then tuck it back in below.
Step 6: The two eyes
Draw two round dots for eyes, side by side in the middle of the face. Color them in solid.
Step 7: Muzzle, nose and smile
Draw a small circle in the lower middle of the face for the muzzle. Inside it, add a rounded nose near the top and a little wavy smile underneath.
Step 8: The pom-pom tail
Draw a small circle off to the side of the body, near the bottom, for the pom-pom tail.
Step 9: Fluffy fur details
Add a short curved line inside each ear, next to the head. Draw a short wavy line on each leg near the paws, and connect the tail to the body with one curved line.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your poodle? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a beagle or how to draw a chihuahua next.
Tips for drawing a poodle
- Draw the topknot and ears as clouds. Make a row of small bumps instead of a smooth line, and it will look curly right away.
- Put the muzzle circle in the lower middle of the face, then add the nose inside it near the top. Keeping them centered helps the face look friendly.
- Draw the pom-pom tail as a simple circle first, then link it to the body with one soft curved line.
Free poodle coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this poodle coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your poodle drawing
Poodles can be white, black, brown or apricot, so pick your favorite. For a creative twist, color the topknot, ears and tail pom-pom in a bright color like pink or blue, as if the poodle just came from a fancy dog show.
Poodle fun fact for kids
The word poodle comes from the German word Pudel, which is related to words meaning to splash in water. Poodles were first bred as water retrievers that fetched ducks for hunters.
Questions about drawing a poodle
What shapes do I need to draw a poodle?
You need circles and ovals for the head, muzzle and tail, small dots for the eyes, plus bumpy cloud shapes for the topknot and ears. The body is a long bell shape with two rounded paws.
How do I make my poodle look fluffier?
Use lots of small, rounded bumps along the topknot and ears instead of straight lines. Adding a short curved line inside each ear and wavy lines on the legs makes the fur look even curlier.
How do I make my poodle look cuter?
Keep the eyes round and a little far apart, and give the poodle a small wavy smile under its nose. A big pom-pom tail and extra-puffy ears add even more charm.
