From experience I find a single detailed head drawing works the best, it allows me to really show the character and personality of the animal. I want you to see that special 'glint' in your pet's eye.

An exception are often cats, who sometimes benefit from being a full body study, especially if they are in a cute pose such as the one here.

Horses and large dogs definitely look better as head studies.
It would need to be a very large full body drawing to get the detail required in the face to show the character, after all it shouldn't just look like a horse in the field, it should look like your horse.

Below is a full body portrait that worked really well, the emphasis is still on the face and those soo soulful eyes.

It really depends on how your photographs turn out, the portrait above wouldn't have been possible without that great photo.
The photos below will give you some ideas of what is possible. Of course it is a bit of pot luck because animals don't always co-operate and pose for us.
If you are unsure what works best for your pet, please email me denise@animaltreasuresgallery.com your photographs and I can advise you further.

FULL BODY SAMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS
These photos would work really well as full body studies. They wouldn't look good as head portraits.

HEAD PORTRAITS SAMPLE PHOTOGRAPHS
These are perfect for head portraits, in close, good angles and lots of detail.