Buttoned into a ceremonial uniform with gilded epaulettes, a Yorkshire terrier poses with the stiffness of an officer sitting for posterity. The illustration borrows from the official portraits of the old masters and plays them entirely straight: braid, decorations and a high collar build a picture of irresistible solemnity. Beneath its immaculately combed fringe, the little dog fixes the viewer with a gravity that commands respect as much as it amuses. All the charm lies in that blend of military pomp and endearing face, played without the faintest wink.

The portrait belongs to our series of animals cast as dignitaries of old, halfway between a museum gallery and refined farce. Above a desk, along a corridor or in a room with character, it lends an amused sense of presence that holds attention at once. It suits a classic setting as readily as an interior that enjoys a good contrast. It appears in our Dog Posters collection, a tribute to our companions in all their guises.

• Sixteen sizes, from 13×18 cm to A0, to match your space
• Four frame finishes — black, white, light wood, dark wood — or the poster alone
• Printed to order on thick paper with true colours
• Free postage

A witty gift for a Yorkshire owner or a devotee of military history who takes it all with a grin.