To sculpt the creature i made a base by using z spheres and then appending shapes like circles to block out a base. I then combined them all and turned on dynamesh. I modelled parts separately such as the feet, paws and head as it was easier to break it down that way.
I made a custom alpha in photoshop which I made 3d as an insert mesh for the repeating fur pattern.
I found it hard to balance detail with the resolution while using dynamesh.