The Origins of 28 Dog Pokemon & the Legends They Came From

A lot of dog Pokemon are not pets. Growlithe comes from the stone guardian statues of East Asia, and Houndour from the hellhounds of legend. Others copy a real breed, such as the Yorkshire Terrier behind Lillipup.

See all 28 dog Pokemon in one list.

Here are the origins of the 28 dog Pokemon:

All 28 Dog Pokemon

#058

Growlithe

Growlithe is the Puppy Pokemon, and its design comes from the stone guardians of East Asia. It may be based on the shisa and komainu of Japan, statues that resemble a mix between lions and dogs and are sometimes incorrectly called Foo dogs in the West. Those statues often stand in pairs as guardians, which may have inspired Growlithe's protective nature, and Growlithe patrol their territory in pairs. Its stripes are reminiscent of tigers and of brindle dogs such as the Kai Ken.

Its Intimidate ability lowers the opposing Pokemon's Attack one stage the moment Growlithe enters battle (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own). We would like that stare for meetings.

The Hisuian form adds a Rock type, and its look may come straight from the komainu statues.

#059

Arcanine

Arcanine's official category is the Legendary Pokemon, even though the games do not count it as a legendary. Like Growlithe, it may come from the Ryukyuan shisa and the komainu, and since it is said to come from China, it may derive more precisely from the Chinese guardian lion. It could also be based on the xiezhi, a mythical fire-eating dog with similarities to lions and tigers.

Despite its bulk, it feints in all directions and all but dances around its opponents, which is more grace than we manage on a rug. It stands 1.9 m tall and weighs 155 kg.

Hisuian Arcanine's ankle fur and tail resemble plumes of smoke.

#133

Eevee

Eevee, the Evolution Pokemon, was never meant to be any one animal. In the 2018 artbook EVs, designer Motofumi Fujiwara revealed that he drew Eevee as a blank slate for its many evolutions. As a result, it has traits of foxes, dogs and cats without being based on a specific animal. He also wanted it to feel like a creature that could exist in people's memories, the vague memory of a cat or dog-like animal seen in childhood. We know that feeling, mostly about our keys.

Within Eevee lies the key to the mysteries of Pokemon evolution. Its Adaptability ability raises the bonus it gets for using moves of its own type from 1.5× to 2×.

#135

Jolteon

Jolteon, like most of Eevee's evolutions, it shares traits with dogs, cats and foxes, and it may also be inspired by the raijū, the embodiment of lightning in animal form in Japanese mythology. Its spiked fur may come from the sharp corners of cartoon lightning bolts, or from porcupines and the myth that they can shoot out their quills.

Jolteon bristles its fur into sharp, needlelike points when enraged, and you can hear electricity crackle in its breath when it exhales. We have the same problem with wool socks.

Its Volt Absorb ability turns Electric moves aimed at it into healing worth a quarter of its HP.

#209

Snubbull

Snubbull, the Fairy Pokemon, is based on a bulldog, given its squat body, flat nose, droopy muzzle and underbite. Its pink fur and dress-like body may come from pampered pet dogs whose owners dye their fur and dress them up in clothes. Its fierce face may come from kobolds, sprites often drawn as dog-like in Japanese media.

In contrast to its appearance, it's quite timid, and it sometimes gets bullied when playing with other puppy Pokemon. (We would like a word with those puppies.)

It stands 0.6 m tall and weighs 7.8 kg. Its Intimidate ability lowers the opponent's Attack when it enters battle, and the face does the work the personality cannot.

#210

Granbull

Granbull may be based on the bulldog, a breed that can appear fierce but is gentle. Bulldogs are often shown as guard dogs, which may explain its thick collar and the shackle-like markings on its wrists. Its category, the Fairy Pokemon, may reference the Cù-sìth, a creature from Celtic mythology whose name means dog fairy.

Granbull is less impressive as a guard dog. It is popular with young people but timid and sensitive, so it is totally incompetent as a watchdog. We relate to a huge jaw with no follow-through.

The jaw does work when it bothers. Its Intimidate ability still lowers the opponent's Attack when it enters battle, which is a lot of confidence for a dog that is timid.

#228

Houndour

Houndour seems to be based on the legends of hellhounds and black dogs, and possibly Cerberus of Greek mythology. Its bone ornaments may refer to the link between those dogs and death, and to the cartoon habit of feeding dogs bones. The bands around its ankles resemble shackles. Its build and coloring are similar to a Dobermann, while the stripe-like bony ridges on its back recall the extinct Tasmanian wolf.

Houndour make repeated eerie howls before dawn to call attention to their pack, and we would file a noise complaint and then feel bad about it.

It stands 0.6 m tall. Its Flash Fire ability blocks Fire moves aimed at it, and once it has blocked one, its own Fire moves deal 1.5× damage until it leaves battle.

#229

Houndoom

Houndoom keeps Houndour's hellhound and black dog roots and adds horns and a pointed tail that resemble common depictions of the devil. Its skeletal ornaments may also be inspired by the grim reaper, and people a long time ago heard its eerie howls, thought it was the grim reaper and feared it. With that skull collar and devil tail, we see why they panicked.

Its hidden ability, Unnerve, stops opposing Pokemon from eating their held Berries (a hidden ability is the rarer third ability a Pokemon can have).

#244

Entei

Entei, the Volcano Pokemon, is one of three legendary Pokemon tied to the Brass Tower. In its legend, Entei represents the fire that burned the tower, Raikou the lightning that struck it and Suicune the rain that put it out. It has traits of lions, dogs and cats, and it also resembles large dog breeds such as a mastiff or a St. Bernard, though it is not one.

Its body copies an erupting volcano. The red faceplate and yellow crown resemble lava, the brown neck recalls a volcano's rocky base, and it trails a cloud of smoke. Entei is thought to have been born in the eruption of a volcano, which makes our own hospital birth look tame.

It weighs 198 kg, and its HP and Attack are both 115.

#262

Mightyena

Mightyena, the Bite Pokemon, is mostly a hyena, possibly a brown hyena, with a mane from the striped hyena. The dog in it comes from the German Shepherd and the Australian Kelpie, a breed whose personality is heavily shaped by its owner. German Shepherds are also commonly black and gray, like Mightyena.

Mightyena travel and act as a pack in the wild, and the memory of that life makes it obey only Trainers it sees as more skilled. (We would not pass a dog's job interview.)

Its hidden ability, Moxie, raises its Attack one stage each time it knocks out a Pokemon. A Mightyena that wins one fight hits harder in the next.

#309

Electrike

Electrike resembles a canine pup and shares traits with the Raijū, a lightning creature from Japanese folklore that can take the form of various mammals, most often a wolf.

Electrike stores electricity in its fur and gives off sparks from all over its body in seasons when the air is dry. We are not petting it in winter.

It stands 0.6 m tall. Its Lightning Rod ability pulls single-target Electric moves toward itself, absorbs them and raises its Special Attack one stage instead of taking damage.

#506

Lillipup

Lillipup is the Puppy Pokemon, and its design origin is short: it is based on a Yorkshire Terrier. Lillipup is far brighter than the average child, and it won't forget the love it receives or any abuse it suffers, and we apologize to it in advance.

It stands 0.4 m tall and weighs 4.1 kg. Its Pickup ability lets it grab items that other Pokemon used up in battle, and sometimes find an item after a fight.

#507

Herdier

Herdier, the Loyal Dog Pokemon, is based on a Yorkshire Terrier with some traits of Scottish Terriers and Australian Silky Terriers. The black fur on its back reads as a cape over the terrier underneath.

Black fur is dense and springy, and even sharp fangs bounce right off it. We would like a coat made of that for the commute.

Its hidden ability, Scrappy, lets its Normal and Fighting moves hit Ghost Pokemon, which those two types normally cannot touch. Its Sand Rush ability doubles its Speed in a sandstorm. It stands 0.9 m tall.

#508

Stoutland

Stoutland, the Big-Hearted Pokemon, seems to be a mix of a Shih Tzu and a Maltese with some Yorkshire Terrier and Scottish Terrier traits. Its talent for rescuing people in the mountains and at sea also makes it similar to St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, the classic rescue breeds.

Stoutland is immensely proud of its impressive moustache, and moustache length determines social standing among its species. We have seen worse systems.

It stands 1.2 m tall and weighs 61 kg. Like Herdier, it can have Intimidate, and the moustache gets the opponent's Attack lowered before anyone throws a punch.

#676

Furfrou

Furfrou, the Poodle Pokemon, is based on the poodle, a breed long tied to grooming and high-status companionship, while its untrimmed Natural Form may also draw on the long coat of Afghan Hounds. It has nine trims in three groups. The Kabuki Trim comes from Japanese Kabuki theatre, the Pharaoh Trim from Ancient Egyptian royal headdresses and La Reine from French court fashion.

Its fur grows longer and longer if left alone, but it will only allow someone it trusts to cut it. Our barber gets one haircut and zero trust.

Its Fur Coat ability halves the damage it takes from physical attacks, the ones driven by the attacker's Attack stat.

#744

Rockruff

Rockruff, the Puppy Pokemon, is based on the spitz dog breed and on the Japanese wolf, which is often linked to rocks and mountains. Since it was introduced in Alola, it may also be based on the extinct Hawaiian Poi Dog. In part of Hawaii, babies were given a Poi puppy at birth. If the child died first, the dog was buried with them, and if the dog died first, its teeth were made into a necklace for the human, which matches Rockruff's bone-like collar.

Rockruff intimidates opponents by striking the ground with the rocks on its neck, and attacks the moment an opponent flinches. (We are going to go pet a normal dog now.)

#745

Lycanroc

Lycanroc is the Wolf Pokemon and shares traits with the extinct Japanese and Hokkaido wolves. Its Rock type may refer to the old Japanese link between wolves and mountains, since wolves were also called yamainu, which means mountain dog. The Midday and Dusk Forms are wolves, and the Midnight Form is a werewolf. The two main forms may come from the okuri-inu, a mountain wolf of folklore that could be either protective or aggressive.

The Dusk Form's green eyes may come from the green flash, a rare burst of green light sometimes seen above the sun. Lycanroc backs its prey into a corner and always aims its fangs at weak spots. We have two forms, before coffee and after.

Its Attack is 115 and its Speed 112.

#835

Yamper

Yamper, the Puppy Pokemon, is based on a Welsh corgi, famous as the dog of Elizabeth II, who reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom, the country Galar is based on, while Sword and Shield were made. Its tail takes the shape of a lightning symbol.

This gluttonous Pokemon only helps people with their work because it wants treats. We respect a clear contract.

Its signature ability, Ball Fetch, brings back the Poke Ball from the first failed throw of a battle if Yamper is not holding an item. That is a real help for catching.

#836

Boltund

Boltund is based on a greyhound and an English Foxhound, or on the lurcher, given its general sighthound look. Its link to Thievul, the Fox Pokemon, may refer to fox hunting, in which red foxes were chased by foxhounds.

Boltund sends electricity through its legs to boost their strength, and at top speed it easily breaks 50 mph. We need a full year to change jobs.

Its Strong Jaw ability makes biting moves hit at 1.5× their power, which suits a Pokemon built around a dog's bite.

#888

Zacian

Zacian, the Warrior Pokemon, may be based on King Arthur's sword Excalibur, and its role as a warrior aiding a king may come from the Knights of the Round Table. Its feminine side may point to the Lady of the Lake, who gave Arthur the sword. Otherwise it resembles a wolf, an animal once native to Great Britain and a heraldic symbol for noble families in the Middle Ages, and its long blue fur resembles a caparison, the cloth worn by warhorses.

Zacian slumbered for many years, and some call it Zamazenta's elder sister while others say the two are rivals. In our family, sister and rival are one word.

Its Intrepid Sword ability boosts its Attack in battle.

#889

Zamazenta

Zamazenta may be based on King Arthur's shield, known as Wynebgwrthucher or Pridwen. It resembles a wolf and the Iron Wolf of ancient Lithuanian mythology, and its armor plating is similar to barding, the body armor of warhorses. The sword and the shield together may be an irresistible force paradox. In a Greek example, the hunting hound Laelaps, which always caught its prey, was set on the Teumessian fox, which could never be caught, and both had to be turned into constellations.

Zamazenta slept for aeons in the form of a statue, for so long that people forgot it ever existed. We aim for that every Sunday.

It is 2.9 m tall and weighs 210 kg. Its Dauntless Shield ability boosts its Defense in battle.

#926

Fidough

Fidough is a puppy made from dessert dough, most likely a dachshund given its long body and short legs. The bread may be the Mollete de Antequera from Andalusia or the spiral Ensaïmada pastry, and the whole idea may be a pun on purebred, which sounds like pure bread. It may also be based on the turnspit dog, a stubby breed once used in kitchens and bakeries to power the machines that let food cook evenly.

The yeast in Fidough's breath is useful for cooking, so people have protected it since long ago. (Our breath makes people step back.)

It stands 0.3 m tall. Its Own Tempo ability makes it immune to confusion, the status that can make a Pokemon hit itself.

#927

Dachsbun

Dachsbun is a dachshund and a tray of baked goods at once: bread loaves, buns, challah, brioche and pretzels. Its darker coloring next to Fidough may refer to the Maillard reaction, the chemistry that turns cooked food brown and gives it flavor.

That idea carries into its signature ability, Well-Baked Body, which makes it immune to Fire moves and sharply raises its Defense when one hits it. The surface of its skin hardens when exposed to intense heat, and its body has an appetizing aroma. We have questions we will not ask.

It stands 0.5 m tall and weighs 14.9 kg.

#942

Maschiff

Maschiff, the Rascal Pokemon, is based on a mastiff puppy, more specifically the Spanish Mastiff. The yellow fur on its back stands for youth, against the gray fur of its evolved form, and the fur on its head resembles a punk mohawk.

Its jaw and fangs are strong enough to crunch through boulders, and its thick fat makes an excellent defense. We will keep the furniture covered.

Its hidden ability, Stakeout, doubles the power of its moves against a Pokemon that switched in that turn.

#943

Mabosstiff

Mabosstiff, the Boss Pokemon, draws on the Spanish Mastiff, fitting for the Iberian-based Paldea region, down to its big dewlap. Its dark coat and mafia theme may come from the Cane Corso, an Italian mastiff, and its look borrows from the leaders of crime families such as the Italian mafia and the Japanese yakuza. Its gray eyebrows also make it look like an elderly person.

Mabosstiff loves playing with children, and though usually gentle, it takes on an intimidating look when protecting its family. We have seen this film before. That side comes from livestock guardian dogs, many of which are mastiff breeds.

Its Guard Dog ability raises its Attack when an opponent tries to intimidate it and stops it from being forced out of battle.

#971

Greavard

Greavard, the Ghost Dog Pokemon, is mainly based on the Catalan Sheepdog, with some Briard and Komondor. It buries itself and pops out to surprise people, like the undead rising from their graves, and the candle on its head stands in for a grave candle. Its candle and dog look may refer to tallow candles: rendering animal fat into tallow leaves behind greaves, which are often used as dog food.

This friendly Pokemon doesn't like being alone, and if you pay it even the slightest attention, it will follow you forever. We have that in common with it.

#972

Houndstone

Houndstone keeps Greavard's Catalan Sheepdog base and adds the look of the undead. The protrusion on its head resembles a headstone, and the raised part of its body resembles a tumulus, a mound of earth placed over a grave. Since it is described as the most loyal of the dog Pokemon, it may also come from the White Cadejo.

A lovingly mourned Pokemon was reborn as Houndstone, and it doesn't like anyone touching the protuberance atop its head. (We were going to touch it, and now we will not.)

It stands 2 m tall yet weighs only 15 kg. Its Fluffy ability halves the damage it takes from contact moves but doubles the damage from Fire moves.

#1014

Okidogi

Okidogi, the Retainer Pokemon, is based on a dog, specifically the Shiba Inu or the bulkier Japanese Akita. Its link to Kitakami, which draws on the Tōhoku region of Japan where Akita Prefecture lies, makes the Akita side stronger. With Munkidori and Fezandipiti it forms the Loyal Three, and together with Pecharunt and their link to Ogerpon they may reference Momotarō, the folktale of a boy born from a peach who traveled with a talking dog, a monkey and a pheasant to fight a band of oni. The chain around its neck may come from shimenawa, woven ropes used in Shinto purification rituals, and on Okidogi it looks like a dog leash.

Okidogi is a ruffian with a short temper, and it can pulverize anything by swinging around the chain on its neck. We will cross the street if we see one.

It is a legendary Pokemon. Its Toxic Chain ability may badly poison an opponent it hits with a move.

Nine of the 28 Dog Pokemon Can Have Intimidate

Intimidate is the ability that lowers the opponent's Attack as soon as the Pokemon enters battle. Growlithe, Arcanine, Snubbull, Granbull, Mightyena, Herdier, Stoutland, Maschiff and Mabosstiff can have it.

Growlithe and Arcanine come from guardian statues that stand in pairs, and Mabosstiff from livestock guardian dogs. Granbull has the bulldog face, the collar and Intimidate, and it is totally incompetent as a watchdog.

Dog Pokemon FAQ

How many dog Pokemon are there?

There are 28 dog Pokemon. Eleven have a dog word in their category, such as Puppy, Poodle or Ghost Dog, and the rest come from wolves, hyenas and mythical lion-dogs.

What is the strongest dog Pokemon?

Zacian and Zamazenta, with a base stat total of 660 each. Among the dog Pokemon that are not legendary, Arcanine is the strongest at 555.

Is Arcanine a legendary Pokemon?

No. Its category is the Legendary Pokemon, but the games do not count it as a legendary.

Is Lycanroc a dog?

No. Lycanroc is the Wolf Pokemon, based on wolves and a werewolf, though it evolves from Rockruff, which is the Puppy Pokemon.

Which Pokemon is a corgi?

Yamper. It is based on a Welsh corgi.