An unidentified bearded man poses with a large collie in a full-length seated studio portrait produced by J.H. Clark, 66 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. The studio imprint appears in green script along the right border of the front mount, with an ornate interlocked monogram, and the elaborate decorative reverse bears the studio name, location, and the motto "Excelsior." A penciled notation on the reverse reads "9/15/12" and "Colax 2," likely a negative filing reference.

The man sits on an ornately carved studio bench with cherub and foliate relief decoration, dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt and cuffs visible at the wrists. His long beard falls nearly to his chest, and his right hand rests raised near his chin. The collie stands beside him with its front paws resting across his lap and its head turned toward the camera, displaying a thick sable and white coat with a broad white blaze. A painted landscape backdrop with foliage and distant hills fills the background, with a cluster of flowers visible at the right.

The reverse carries the full J.H. Clark studio imprint in green decorative typography with the "Excelsior" motto and shield device, a blank negative number line, and the penciled notations "9/15/12" and "Colax 2" at the lower edge.