DIY Dog Birthday Crown

Written by

Serena Faber-NelsonUpdated 20 September 2026 · 4 Min Read

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over. Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

Every birthday pup deserves to feel like royalty for a day. A handmade dog birthday crown does exactly that, and this one needs nothing more than felt, pretty paper, a glue gun and a length of soft elastic. It sits comfortably between the ears and photographs beautifully. Pair it with these puppy birthday party ideas and your guest of honor is ready for the big day.

The crown in these photos was made for Missy the English Bulldog and captured by Missy Moo Studio during her dog birthday party and cake smash.

Birthday crown for dog, a handmade felt DIY project by Missy Moo Studio

What You Need for a DIY Dog Crown

Gather these craft supplies before you begin:

Crown template, or a simple freehand crown shape
Scrapbook paper in a birthday pattern or metallic finish
An 8 x 12 inch piece of felt in your choice of color
Fusible adhesive
Disappearing ink pen
Skinny elastic
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Scissors and an iron

Crown Template or Freehand Pattern

A printed template gives you evenly spaced points, but a freehand crown works just as well. Draw a straight base line along the felt, mark three to five peaks above it, and join them with smooth zigzags. Rounded tips are softer if your pup scratches at it.

Dog crown DIY tutorial photo showing the finished felt birthday crown

How to Make a Dog Birthday Crown, Step by Step

To make a dog birthday crown, bond felt to the back of scrapbook paper with fusible adhesive and an iron, trace a crown shape onto the felt and cut it out. Glue the ends into a ring with hot glue, then attach a loop of elastic inside to sit under your dog's chin. The felt lines the inside, so the crown feels soft against fur.

Bond the Felt and Paper

Apply fusible adhesive to the back of the felt and allow it to dry.
Place the felt on the paper, adhesive side down, against the side of the paper you do not want to show.
Set your iron to medium and press gently until the felt adheres to the paper.

Cut and Shape the Crown

Trace your template onto the felt side with the disappearing ink pen, then cut out the crown.
Run a thin line of hot glue along one short edge, overlap the other edge to form a ring, and hold it in place until the glue sets.

Add the Elastic Chin Strap

Measure the elastic by looping it over your dog's head and under the chin, then subtract 4 to 5 inches so the finished strap sits snugly.
Attach each end of the elastic to the inside of the crown with small dabs of hot glue, keeping the seam at the back. Let the glue cool completely before the first fitting.

Once the crown is set, it is ready for its close-up. These dog cake smash photo tips will help you capture the moment.

Handmade dog birthday crown from the Missy Moo Studio birthday shoot

Doggie crown for a birthday celebration, a felt and paper DIY

Sizing a Crown for Dogs of Every Size

Puppy Crowns and Small Breeds

For puppies and toy breeds, scale the template down when printing so the base sits neatly between the ears without sliding over the eyes. Light paper and soft elastic keep a puppy crown comfortable.

Crowns for Large Dogs

Bigger dogs need a wider base and taller points to look proportional. Scale the template up, use a larger piece of felt, and choose slightly wider elastic so the crown stays put without pinching.

Keeping Your Dog Comfortable in a Crown

The chin strap should be snug but loose enough to slide two fingers under. Skip rhinestones, beads and loose glitter, which are easy to chew off and swallow. Keep crown time short and supervised, and offer a few treats during the first fitting so the crown feels like a reward.

Birthday Crown Ideas for Dogs

Once you have the method down, the look is up to you. Gold or silver metallic paper gives a classic royal finish, and a felt number on the front marks the year. A crown also doubles as a costume, so it is worth saving for these DIY dog Halloween costumes later in the year.

For rescue pups, a crown is just as sweet on a gotcha day beside a framed dog adoption certificate. Whatever the occasion, finish the celebration with a homemade apple and carrot dog birthday cake.

Crown photography by Missy Moo Studio.