This pic's got good stuff going for it. Nice textures on the "fringe" of hair, nice details on the eyes and mouth/muzzle...but I'm wondering if the contrast and details need to be "upped" some. For instance, the shadow in his mouth looks really really flat, and I'm not sure why...I think it may be 'cos nothing else in the picture is as dark as the shadow in the mouth. Also, the whiskers do the same (perhaps they shoudl've been done as pure highlights?), to me. Then, I think more shadows/3Dness around the eyes (particularly where they bulge under teh skin) and between the eyes would help accentuate the 3Dness, maybe even make the snout "pop" a bit. Finally...I like the texture of the ruff, but then, it looks out-of-place, since there's no more of that texture really anywhere else. It just pops out at you suddenly. Perhaps a more "gentle" fur texture in around the face would help the "skin" near the face blend a bit more with the ruff?

anyways, I like your stuff, and I especially like that you're open to critiques. Feel free to visit my art and do the same...I could use it. ;)

my art: w ww.side7.com/art/daniwill