A man stands full-length against a dark background, turned slightly to his left, with a large dog at his side looking up at him. His right hand rests on the hilt of a sword, while his left hand touches the dog's head. Behind him, a green curtain hangs to the left, its folds rendered with deep greens and highlights that contrast with the dark backdrop.

The light falls from the left, illuminating his face, hands, and the dog's head, while the rest of the scene recedes into shadow. His expression is calm and dignified, with a full beard and direct gaze that projects authority. The dog, a large pale hound, stands at his side, its collar visible, forming a diagonal line with the man’s arm.

The brushwork is smooth and refined, especially in the rendering of fabrics and flesh, with subtle transitions of tone and color. The composition is vertical and tightly framed, with the figure dominating the space and little extraneous detail in the background. A white feather is attached to the black cap worn by the man, curving upward and catching the light.

The lower left corner of the painting shows the green curtain pooling on the floor, its folds painted with varied green tones. The background on the right side of the canvas fades into deep shadow, with no visible objects or architectural features. The man’s shoes are soft, light-colored, and pointed, blending into the shadowed floor.

The dog’s body is painted with short, visible brushstrokes that suggest the texture of its fur, especially along its back and legs. Along the edges of the man’s dark fur cloak, the paint is blended softly into the background, creating a subtle transition between figure and shadow. Portrait of Charles V with a Dog was painted by Titian in 1533.