I got my positive test this morning and my first thought was how do I get Biscuit in this photo.
Girl, same energy.
So, I remember when my cousin found out she was pregnant and she spent the next 3 weeks stressing out over how to announce she was pregnant and have it feel like it was all her…and she had a fluffy dog that wouldn’t sit still for more than two seconds.
But your best friend has already starred in your life- he’s been in every corner of your home, drool and all. Why shouldn’t he be in the biggest moment of your life?
I feel that kind of pressure though. I want it to be Pinterest worthy! Something personal and not cheesy.
And that’s why I’m so excited to share these cute 17 pregnancy announcement with dog ideas with you, to help you stop overthinking and enjoy the moment!
#1: The Cutest Pregnancy Announcement With Your Dog (Corgi Letter Board Idea)
i think the golden is your first baby so of course she needs to be part of the big news.
The Corgi is sitting right beside it looking up at the camera with his big doe eyes, and is wearing a teal and orange collar, which is the perfect amount of pop against his fluffy white chest fur. It’s a totally warm and cozy bedroom set up that looks effortless, and that I would 100% want to snuggle up in, and it is 100% scroll-stopping.
You need three things: 1. a felt or pegboard letter board (around 10×10 inches) 2. white push-in letters 3. your dog’s best “i have no idea what’s happening” face 4. a message that says “Partner In Crime ♡ Coming Soon ♡”, six words that say it all.
I took this picture from a little bit above and looked down toward her. As much as I love getting that big eyed look from her, all of that “anticipation” shows up in pictures and makes her look excited. Natural window light kept the colors from washing out.
Get your dog treat ready for this one – just hold it above the lens and you will catch the exact wide-eyed expression you are looking for every time.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @capncrunchthecorgi
#2: The Cutest Puppy Announcement Flat Lay (And Your Golden Will Probably Try to Eat the Props)
You know the exact moment when your golden retriever discovers something new on the floor and immediately becomes a crime scene investigator? This flat lay would last about four seconds with my dog around.
The next top announcement you’re going to see is pure boho magic! A woven jute trivet (my fave so far) with a small wooden letter board, a blue KONG toy, and a natural dog bone treat. There’s a framed photo of the dog in the corner, with a wooden bone cutout that reads Summer 2027 and a “PUPPY” wooden block banner beneath.
I bought a wooden heart with a paw cutout on it, then I added some beaded garland and faux white botanicals to fill in the gaps. Our letter board says, “We Are Adding Four Tiny Paws To Our Family!”. This is the focal point to our Valentine’s Day displays.
One thing to remember: natural tones photograph better than bright colors. stick to cream, beige, and wood tones so your golden’s fur blends in if you sneak him into the shot.
I staged this on a chunky cream knit blanket. It adds a bit of texture to it, making it look a little less staged.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @bruno_tries
#3: The “Big Sibling” Spread — Let Your Dog Steal the Announcement Show
Your dog is already the star of every picture you take, so why not make them the star of the biggest news you’ll ever share?
This color combination makes me think of warm sunshine and the softest, most comfy neutrals. I would put a chocolate lab in this room, on a cream canvas tote bag, surrounded by ultrasound photos, a round white acrylic milestone disc, and the sweetest little stuffed bunny I could find. I swear everything about it makes me feel like I could just fall back on this set up and let out a giant yawn.
Place this adorable basket on a gold wire basket tray. It’s one of those geometric basket trays, roughly 12×18 inches. Line the inside with a white waffle-knit blanket. Add a personalized acrylic disc engraved with the baby’s surname and due date. Your dog doesn’t have to talk. They’re cute enough.
Lay the ultrasound prints flat on your work surface. I suggest two side by side over just one. Then tuck one of my linen-covered baby journals (embossed in a “bump” style) to the left side for the Pinterest-perfect layering effect.
Shoot in direct morning sun on grass. The green of the grass will pop against the neutral props, the dog’s fur will become the warmest texture in the shot.
Put the disc and ultrasounds slightly in front of your dog so that both can be seen in a single shot without cropping anything off awkwardly.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @ariandarlo_
#4: The “Hello World” Newborn Basket Announcement That Makes Everyone Cry Happy Tears
Can you believe it? This one stopped me dead in my tracks. A wicker Moses basket lined with white muslin cotton layers and a sleeping newborn in a cream waffle-knit zip romper. It’s so quiet and pure and beautiful I almost can’t believe it’s real!
My whole set up is completed with a round wooden “Hello World” birth announcement plaque with hand-lettered stats. (name, date, time, weight (3.52 kg) & length (49 cm)). The basket is sitting on a natural fiber area rug. Yes, your golden retriever will try to snuggle with.
To recreate this: Check out this post for more ideas. grab a natural seagrass moses basket, stack 3-4 muslin swaddle blankets in white or ivory around the edges and add a laser cut birch wood birth announcement disc (find them on Etsy for under $30) a white waffle zip sleeper and a knotted newborn beanie add baby to basket.
take a photo from directly above (the phone camera works perfectly here).
I wrote the baby’s stats in a fine-tip chalk marker so you can read them easily in the picture. I used natural window light with no flash to keep that dreamy look.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @3.little.crowns
#5: The Letter Board + Ultrasound Photo Combo That Made Everyone Cry Happy Tears
You know that moment when your golden retriever just sits there looking at you with those big, soulful eyes as if they already know something big is about to happen? That’s the energy in this photo. It’s what wrecked me.
Alfie the mini dachshund is snuggling next to a gray felt letter board that says “Baby Collins Arriving January 2020” in white push-in letters. A heart shaped pin and a black and white ultrasound picture are pinned right below it. A pair of tiny white star-print baby booties lay on the carpet in front of the letter board. The whole set-up is against a whitewashed exposed brick wall, very Pinterest and very earned.
To recreate this, you need a 12×17 inch gray felt letter board with white letter sets, a simple white wood frame, and a bead-topped pushpin for the ultrasound photo. The dog wears a custom white cotton bandana printed in blue with “Big Brother [Name]” and a paw print heart — you can order these on Etsy for under $15.
Shoot at floor level so that your dog will fill the frame. Natural light from a window will keep the tones warm without washing out the felt lettering.
My rule of thumb: three props max. It’s just a dog. Anything more and the dog’s not the star.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @daisyandmeuk
#6: Two Bernese Mountain Dogs Announce Their Baby Sister Is Coming
You know how sometimes you’re scrolling Pinterest for some pregnancy announcement inspo and suddenly there are two giant fluffy Berners in the woods holding a sign and you just kind of lose it for a second? Me too.
Hope you are well. I’m going to go ahead and announce our baby on the black felt letter board in a wood oak frame, propped on a small easel, set against a wild backdrop of ferns and forest greenery. Our boys are sitting side by side here like the professional little men they are.
To recreate this look, we grabbed a 10×10 or 12×17 felt letter board. We added a printed ultrasound photo in the center of the board. I think this detail is what makes the whole look. Take your picture in a wooded trail or even just outside in your yard with plants behind you to look similar to mine.
The best part: I’m always drawn to pictures of dogs with dogs. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because the size difference between the two dogs create an instant visual balance.
* position the dogs so the board is slightly apart between their paws. shoot at eye level with the dogs not from above. if your golden is actually sitting for a moment, take the picture right then. there may not be a second chance.
Match the collar to your board frame for an instantly pulled-together look that photographs beautifully.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @bert_and_ernie_the_berners
#7: The Sweetest Pregnancy Announcement Idea Using an Ultrasound Journal (And Your Dog Will Make It Even Better)
i kinda can’t believe it’s real, BUT I DO BECAUSE IT’S REAL! WHOOP WHOOP!
The linen-covered, )); which translates to “Love in the Belly”, pregnancy journal is held up by three ultrasound strips fanned out beside it. The cover is made of natural beige canvas, stamped with warm gold lettering. It’s simple, it’s beautiful, and it’s just gorgeous. It also photographs really well beside a pool or a light colored background.
If you would like to replicate this shot, you will need a hardcover pregnancy journal (this is one I found on Amazon that’s a German “Mein Schwangerschaftstagebuch” diary) and you will need to print your ultrasound strips in a film-strip format. You will want to lay them on top of one another for the shot. (You could simply print your ultrasound strips on regular paper and just prop them up, but I like having a turquoise water background behind the shots.)
When I see this picture, I picture my golden retriever sitting right beside me nudging my journal. That’s the shot people save to Pinterest.
Go for a photo close to a natural water or a light tile floor. The reflection that you will have adds a softness to the photo and you won’t even have to edit it. In my opinion, the ultrasound strip photos are more “editorial” than a single photo. It allows you to tell a story of your pregnancy in a frame!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @diarieswithtyson
#8: The “Big Sibling” Ultrasound Reveal With Your Dog
Two hands reach out toward each other, stretched out across a patch of green grass, each hand holding one side of a black-and-white ultrasound photo. And right in the middle sits your dog, perfect, tongue hanging out, ears perked up like they know.
So finally the day has come! My beloved corgi as a messenger. Honestly, this is the most heartwarming pregnancy announcement situation you can create outdoors.
You’ll need one ultrasound print (ask your OB for an extra copy), a patch of natural green grass, and a warm autumn background. Set the stage for that soft orange glow at golden-hour timing around 4-5 PM. Both you and your partner should crouch low with your arms outstretched to create a center of interest around the dog.
Have your dog in a “sit-stay” with a high value treat held just above the camera lens. This keeps their attention and ears alert.
Shoot at f/2.8 or lower to blur the background of the photo. Practice this hold a few times before the actual photo so that the photo is flat and readable.
A red-and-white tri-color corgi photographs especially well against a backdrop of fall foliage, and your golden retriever’s warm coat will look just splendid against the amber tones — trust me on this one.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @goudacorgi
#9: The “We’re Expecting” Photo With Your Dog That’ll Break the Internet
That magical moment when your dog is perfectly still next to your toddler for two seconds and you somehow catch it on camera? That’s the energy of this announcement photo. And it’s giving everything.
Goodness, is she darling! I love her silver and white oversized bow clipped into her baby hair, her smocked tan cotton dress with the white lace trim, and of course, her little taupe pit bull puppy with the white patch on her chest sitting right beside her. Her outfit and her little pup are the warmest of caramel, cream, and grey. It totally looks styled yet it still feels real.
Shop | To recreate this look, you will need a smocked toddler dress in a neutral tan from Etsy that is size 12 months or bigger. I also added a large white grosgrain hair bow that has a personalized center button, and we just placed them against our plain white or cream wall.
Next, choose a neutral color for your dog’s leash or collar. You don’t want your dog to feel like an afterthought so you should make sure that they are “part of the photo”.
Shoot a little higher and have someone off camera pet his head, it keeps him calm and it gives you the wide-eyed puppy look.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @meko_xlbully
#10: The “Big Sibling” Letter Board Announcement That’ll Make Everyone Cry
Your dog knows something’s up. They’ve been more clingy than usual, following you from room to room, and resting their chin on your belly. This announcement is such a mood.
How cute is this little set up! It features a long-haired dachshund sitting on a cream chunky knit blanket, next to a black felt letter board in a natural wood frame. The letter board reads “We Can’t Wait To Meet You ♡ April 10” in white letters. Hanging from the top corner is a wooden bead garland with a jute tassel. You can find these at Target or on Etsy for under $15.
In front of the dog we can see a row of natural wood alphabet blocks spelling “Baby,” a white onesie printed with “Baby White ♡,” and a polaroid style ultrasound photo tucked to the side. Every time I see that ultrasound detail I think “wow, what a little muppet.”
If you are looking to recreate this look, grab a felt letter board (I had a 12×12 inch one) and put your dog in the front, but make sure to give them a treat right before taking the picture so they are not looking at the onesie.
The photo of my son, who is almost two, is on the right side of the board, partially overlapping. It gives the board a more personal touch, as if it weren’t completely staged.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @monicaaleece
#11: The Big Sibling Announcement — Let Your Dog Steal the Show
You know those moments when your golden is just sitting there looking so ridiculus in a tutu and you swear it’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? That’s the energy this photo captured.
A grey felt letterboard, a set of ultrasound photos and a red tulle tutu do all the hard work here. I put it all on top of a white faux fur rug, which I just adore photographing. It gives such a soft, dreamy feel against the dark backdrop of the garden.
To recreate this, you’ll need a grey wood-framed letterboard (10″x10″), white changeable letters, a red or pink tulle pet tutu (sized for medium breeds), and a white bandana collar. Lay everything on a faux fur throw outdoors near some dark greenery– the contrast of the greenery and white letterboard make this photo pop!
Stick the ultrasound prints slightly overlapping the corner of the letterboard. It looks casual but it’s intentional.
And if you’re announcing a girl, you might follow it up with a Best Female Dog Names – Find the Perfect Name for Your Pup tab because big sister needs a name too.
Shoot at eye level with your dog for that direct, soul-melting gaze. Natural backlight softens everything.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @monicajeanphotography
#12: The “Big Brother Book” Dog Pregnancy Announcement That’ll Break the Internet
Two tiny Yorkshire Terriers sitting on a gray couch next to ultrasound photos and the words, “My two little angels are excited to share the announcement of the arrival of their newest brother!”
One is already decked out in a very cute light blue bandana, sitting up like he knows what’s going on. The other is a bit more relaxed, lying down. There’s also a little booklet, folded up of a white card stock that appears to have a stack of ultrasound strips taped to the front with the words “How to become the best big brother by August”.
Make your own with a blue triangle bandana (you can easily find one on Etsy for under $10) and have your ultrasound pictures printed out as a 4×6 strip of photos. Fold a letter-size card stock sheet into a booklet, tape the strip to the front panel, and write your message on the side of the booklet.
Put your golden on a neutral-toned couch (it’s the gray one in the background) so the blue doesn’t conflict with his coat color.
Shoot at least 20 shots. Dogs move, blink, and look away. I had a helper hold a treat just above the camera lens to keep their eyes front.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @nina__sophie
#13: The “Big Bro” Bandana Announcement That’ll Make Everyone Cry Happy Tears
Your golden is already the center of your world, so why not let him be the star of the pregnancy reveal, too?
This one hits different. A golden retriever lying on fresh green grass wearing a crisp white cotton bandana with big bro in black lettering, while holding onto a tiny white organic onesie with lil bro printed on it and two ultrasound pictures. How simple and cute this is. How gutting in the best way possible.
This happened to me last spring with my cousin’s announcement, and people lost their minds over it. I kid you not, the comments section was a circus.
You will need a white triangle bandana (a bandana with snaps at the back works best for wiggly dogs), a matching white baby onesie, and the printed ultrasound photos laid flat on the grass in front of your pup.
Go out and shoot outside on a cloudy day. Harsh sunlight washes out the crisp white-on-white contrast between the bandana and the onesie. Get down and shoot at dog-eye level. Bribe your dog with treats.
And I’ve gotta say, the biggest smile (from my golden) is the one where his mouth is open mid-treat!
Take the photo shortly after a walk, so your dog is tired enough to sit still.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @oakley.golden.retriever
#14: The “We’ve Been Keeping a Little Secret” Dog Bandana Announcement
Your golden retriever is just sitting there, looking cute, completely unaware of the fact that he’s about to become a big brother. That’s kind of how I felt when I announced this.
Seeing this photo is a little different. Rudy, a silver Labrador, is posed on a dark chocolate brown faux fur rug with a white triangular bandana that reads “We’ve Been Keeping a Little Secret — Jan 2024” with tiny baby footprints printed in soft gray, a real ultrasound photo placed between his front paws.
Anyone can recreate this set up – just pick up a white cotton pet bandana at your local Etsy custom shop for around $8-12, a faux fur rug in a contrasting dark color and print your ultrasound photo as a 4×6 glossy print.
Si vous voulez faire une photo de votre chien, make sure you choose a neutral wall in the back ground and either have him sitting in front of a radiator or choose something that will not compete with the dog.
Natural light from my window is all that I need. No ring light.
But! Make sure to snap the photo at eye level with your dog (I took mine with my dog looking up at me), and from a straight-on angle. That’s what makes Rudy look so happy he’s in on the secret!
Train your pup to “stay” while holding a treat just before the shot is given. It may take a few times but it’s worth the effort to see that face.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @rudythesilverlab
#15: The “Required Reading” Dog Pregnancy Announcement That’s Breaking the Internet
Your golden is the center of your world, and frankly, this announcement is all about that.
The set-up is so clean it hurts. A warm honey-toned hardwood floor, soft white walls, a paneled door in the background, nothing but your dog, sitting in front of you as if he owns the place, wearing tortoiseshell glasses and a blue collar, and a hardcover book propped in front of him.
The book cover is handwritten in casual black marker on a white matte background with a dark red border. It reads: “How to be a big brother must read by October 2021.”* That’s it. That’s the whole announcement.
I just happened to have a big hardcover book on my bookshelf so I grabbed it, but really any book will work for this project, you just cover up the title. I cut a piece of white cardstock to fit the front cover of the book and used a thick black marker to hand letter my message. I kept the font loose and fun, not perfect and pinterest-y.
The key to this look is the glasses. Over-sized tortoiseshell readers from any dollar store work well on most golden retrievers, allowing the frames to sit far enough down the snout so that they look ridiculously distinguished.
Try to shoot from slightly below the level of the dog’s eyes. If you shoot it from that angle, the dog will seem to be reading the announcement, not just putting up with you.
Also, training your dog to hold a “sit-stay” before the shoot is a good idea, as is rewarding your dog between takes with treats, so their patience actually shows on their face.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @smittenwithsammy
#16: Let Your Fluffy Best Friend Announce the Big News
Your golden retriever is the center of attention at every family gathering… so why not let him steal the show one more time?
How fun is this announcement idea?! A chunky white Samoyed lies in the fresh spring grass relaxing while a baby in a blush pink floral jacket and cream knit bear-ear bonnet smiles as she sits propped against his fluffy side. The hot pink azalea bush in the background adds a touch of color.
To recreate this look, all you need is a knit bear-ear baby hat (you can find them on Etsy for under $15), a floral pink infant jacket, and honestly just your backyard on a nice spring afternoon.
The dog’s calm energy is the real secret here, and that comes from timing – shoot right after a long walk when your dog is really just ready to just lay down.
Always lay baby on side of dog, not in front of it. That way dog looks like a fluffy armchair and size contrast is what catches peoples eyes.
Shoot in late morning (when light is soft but bright), and get as low to the ground as possible (phone/camera at grass level) so that both faces are in the same frame.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @traveling_samoyed
#17: The “Scholar Dog” Pregnancy Announcement That Broke the Internet (And Your Heart in the Best Way)
Your golden retriever already rules the couch. Why not make her the star of your biggest news ever?
Now this is awesome! A little brown Dachshund is curled up on a salmon-pink armchair, wearing black-framed reading glasses and a bandana scarf. He is holding a copy of “What to Expect When You’re Expecting (5th Edition)” and there are 3 strips of ultrasounds resting on his side, like he just found out that he’s getting a little sibling.
All you’ll need are a plush armchair (in warm terracotta or blush tones, both photograph beautifully), a pair of oversized reading glasses (from the dollar store will do), a bandana collar, a real-life copy of the book, and some printed-out 3-strip ultrasound photos from your OB.
Also, prop the ultrasound photos so they are not leaning awkwardly against your dog’s body, but more just resting there. I just prop the photos so they don’t look like they are posing.
Try to shoot near the window. The warmer your chair color is the richer the dog’s coat will look on camera. If you’re wearing glasses, put them just past the bridge of your nose so that both eyes peek over the frames.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @whattoexpect
The One Thing Nobody Tells You About Using Your Dog in a Pregnancy Announcement
I learned this the hard way while watching my good friend’s photoshoot fall apart.
These dogs have no idea what stay means. Especially with a camera and maybe some excitement and weird props to be interested in. Make sure your golden is tired out before you try to take these pictures. A nice 30 minute walk before should give you the sleepy dog, not the zoomy one.
I’m going to start with the thing most people don’t anticipate: Food props. Everyone loves the “bun in the oven” sign next to a dog holding a tiny shoe, but if you get peanut butter or treats anywhere near your pup, he’s going to lose his chill. Keep food off set unless you’re only going to use it for the final click.
One more thing. Schedule the shoot during your dog’s natural nap window. Golden retrievers have a whole predictable drowsy hour — usually mid-morning or after lunch. That’s your golden hour (pun intended).
Work WITH your dog’s rhythm, not against it, and your photos will thank you.
Your Sofa Will Thank You (And So Will Your Sanity)
You’ve got the golden color, you’ve got the Pinterest-worthy living room, now you just need the perfect cover to protect your furniture and your peace of mind.
Pick one thing this week. One cover, one room, one win.
There will be days, my friends. There will be many days that you look back on this post and thank me for my wonderful advice. One day (or possibly ten days later), your future self (the one not scrubbing muddy paw prints off the armrest of your couch at 10pm) will thank you for doing this now, rather than after the next muddy walk in the rain.
So tell me: Which room does your dog treat like his personal throne?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
