OLD - Making an Orig. Species - FAQ and Guide

Let's be honest, no matter how unoriginal you think cinnadogs, waterdogs (coastalcaptyns), sushidogs (witchpaws), and others are, if you see one on the front page or in your inbox, you don't need to know the artist or name of it to know WHAT IT IS AND WHOSE SPECIES IT IS. That's the thing - if people like it, get it out there, make it recognizable from the rest.

So, let's take dessert dogs on for a change. Pretty old, yes? Overused? Probably not the best place to start an orig. species. But let's see first, if you're hell-bent on a dessert themed creature species, it's what you can give them that makes them original.
So, like the step way up there, pick a species you don't see too often, like caterpillars, slugs, even elephants or hawks. Or, even better, make up your own creature - but make sure the creature isn't too bland. If you make a quadruped furry animal with big ears into a species, it can literally look like anything (not a good idea).
Give it a set of unique antlers, a cool nose, extra limbs - unique anatomy is key!
    -Cinnadogs are fat for a reason - many people are uncomfortable drawing overweight and pudgy characters. It is something I don't see too often in designs or species in general. Their anatomy is unique in that they have a defined pear body, neatly shaped legs and paws, and even a set weight and tail length, The tails can't uncurl, and the species itself isn't overrun with giant piles of cream and drippy chocolate, but the palette itself is taken from the wonderfully colorful photos of food. Knowing this, owning and drawing a cinna gets people out of their comfort zone and into drawing new things, exploring their artistic capabilities!

DON'T PICK AN ANIMAL, SLAP A TRAIT ON IT, AND CALL IT A SPECIES
What I mean is, placing wings on the butt of a cat and making is a closed species isn't only ridiculous and uncreative, but it is also something hundreds have done before and will more than likely do again. 
Here are some do's and don'ts to adding on traits to make a species creative.

DON'T ADD+MAKE A CLOSED SPECIES
-Armor
-Food
-Wings
-ceiling fans
-washing machines
-clothes
-lightbulbs
-carpets from India
Catch my drift? Anyone can put a sock on a dog and claim it, but it's not creative and reflects poorly on your abilities.

DO's to adding and possibly making a successful species add-on
DO ADD THINGS LIKE
-Stuff no one really does
------Medicine
-------a. (ex) Dextromethorphan (medicine used to treat cold/flu/coughing)
--------1. Use this medicine to make a character based off of the symptoms of what it is supposed to protect. Let's say you have a unique species based off of the pharmaceutical field (be aware people have made medicine creatures, but let's make these stand out), what do they do? Does each creature protect against the symptoms it is supposed to? Have they been overrun with their respective sicknesses? Did they all used to be created for a purpose but ended up failing as helpful experiments? THINK CREATIVE! HAVE FUN! Put them in the future, make the world post-apocalyptic and these disease-ridden creatures wander around trying to heal the sick but end up being zombies themselves.
DON'T TAKE THIS IDEA. I CAME UP WITH IT FOR EXAMPLE PURPOSES, NOT FOR FREE USE. THAT'S USING A CHEAP WAY OUT AND RUDE. Plus, it's my idea, I plan on using it anyways.

Boom, I just made a species concept in less than 40 seconds. I'm not saying it will come as fast to all of you, but give it a shot!

See where I am going? Think of things no one has done. If you're making a dog species purely for profit (which is fine), DON'T make it closed if it is really cliche, and DON'T attack others for making something similar.

Here's a recap
-What makes a cinnadog recognizable from a dog slathered in mushy sugar and gooey chocolate put up as an adopt?
    -Anatomy
    -Purpose
    -Background
-Don't slap a trait on an animal and call it closed
    -People did it before, and will do it again
    -Dogs with buttwings and hoodies aren't original at all
-DO make your species recognizable, be open for critiques and suggestions
    -Remember: If you see a waterdog out there, you know it's a waterdog by Alfeddy.
-Dogs and cats may be easy to draw, but get out there and explore!
    -See how your species fits some other animal
        -Does a slimy space creature fit a dog more, or how about a six-legged space slug with glowing eyes?

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