Julie, I like the little guy, you must live in a warm climate?
I think the white is not white on my monitor - this is an issue will all monitors we dont have the same calibration so colors and hue, tone etc are hard to tell, and with a white dog, it's even tougher.
I did do a little levels, sharpend it, and then cropped it to draw the eye into the face of the animal. I shoot portraits tight, unless there's a reason not too. It's my preferance only.
Take care, great looking pup!