The rock in 'Dog Rock' sits poised at the centre of the composition, balanced as if it could tip and pitch forward at any moment. The rock is placed in an ambiguous space: on one side foliage and flowers grow while the saturated red background suggests a man-made wall or construction. The sense of balance in this painting is common to many of the period. Sutherland explained: "I have always felt the need for an element of equilibrium... I have tried to control the unbalance".