I just thought I would jump in with both feet here. I started out with a practice drawing..and thought I would keep record of it for my benefit later...to see where I may have went in the wrong direction as I do that alot...it turned out pretty decent so I thought I would share it ..
Kat

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comments and critques are welcome..as this is a learning experience I hope to grow on..

and last but not least the reference photo I worked from

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Kat the drawing is coming along nicely .. you have to be pumped by now ..
without seeing the reference of the dog , I have to say he/she looks Great !!

my usual scatterbrained move Carol..I forgot the reference drawing...and now I have to find it again as I cleaned my files off the computer..a good lesson learned..and its not a drawing one.. thank you
Kat

lol..i just did that myself last nite kat, lost my ref pic, i did find it though...

I think your dog looks marvelous my dear..your art work is lovely

thank you Kay..my daughter scanned the picture for me ..I couldnt find it for nothing again!..

Kat, the overall drawing is very good and the likeness and proportions are great. What i would do at this point is to create a medium tone.Right now the drawing seems to have the dark tone, eyes and nose and a lighter tone. Notice the ears how they receive volume from the mid tone. Also on the face there are spots where you can go darker a bit.This will pop off the page your drawing. Also try to have a different tone in the background either very light or very dark in order to emphasize your portrait.
These touches will add definition to your drawing and make it more vivid.I also believe that your work looks better than the scan of it.But to make sure you have a good balanced drawing you need to emphasize the three tones with more confidence.Go darker for the eyes and nose. Just leave a white spot on the nose and eyes where the light hits.
I don't know what pencils you used. I would do the nose and eyes with a 4,6,8 B.The middle tones with a 2B and the light with a Hb.
If you are not sure of what I am trying to say Make a print of your scan and do these suggestions over your printed drawing and see how you like it before getting to the original.
I hope this helps.As you asked for suggestions to improve.

Elena yes..I can see what you are seeing..there is not much midtone..I will be braver and add some more tones..darker where they need to be..thank you!

ok. i did this in 3 min. before going out and now i scanned it and here it is. of course with much more care should look great.(So I printed two identical finished dogs and emphasized the right one.)