Stephan W. Polaha created fanciful creatures that were often an amalgamation of different figures and concepts from his life. In Winged Dog, Polaha added wings to man's best friend. The blank expression and bright red mouth suggest that this spotted canine is a new whimsical breed. Polaha had pet dogs and often included images of dogs in his pieces. He was also a devout Catholic, and Winged Dog could have served as a memorial to a lost pet.