Pokemon already has plenty of dogs, so its wolves come from darker stories, such as hellhounds and the werewolf. Only Lycanroc is called a wolf, and it changes form with the time of day.
Houndour, the Dark Pokemon, is based on the legends of hellhounds and black dogs, and possibly Cerberus of Greek mythology. Its skeletal adornments may refer to those hounds' links with death, and to cartoon dogs and their bones. Its build and coloring are similar to a Dobermann, while the stripe-like bony ridges on its back recall the extinct Tasmanian wolf. Its pack hunting and eerie howling are reminiscent of wolves.
Houndour make repeated eerie howls before dawn to call attention to their pack. (We also make eerie noises before dawn, and the alarm clock started it.) Its Flash Fire ability protects it against Fire moves, and once it has blocked one, its own Fire moves deal 1.5× damage until it leaves battle (an ability is a passive effect that works on its own in battle).
#229
Houndoom
#229
Type
DarkFire
Category
Dark Pokémon
National Dex
#0229
Debut
Gen II
Base stat total
500
Houndoom keeps the hellhound idea and adds horns and a pointed tail that resemble common depictions of the devil. The bands around its ankles resemble shackles, and its skeletal adornments may also be inspired by the grim reaper. It can be identified by its eerie howls, and people a long time ago thought it was the grim reaper and feared it. We would also have run from something that dresses the part.
Its Dark and Fire typing suits a hound from the underworld.
#261
Poochyena
#261
Type
Dark
Category
Bite Pokémon
National Dex
#0261
Debut
Gen III
Base stat total
220
Poochyena, the Bite Pokemon, is based on both hyenas and wolves. Its small size, tenacious nature and fondness for biting resemble the Tasmanian devil. It is an omnivore that will eat anything, its fangs are large compared to its body, and it tries to intimidate foes by making the hair on its tail bristle out. We also eat anything, but our fangs are average.
It stands 0.5 m tall, and its Quick Feet ability raises its Speed to 1.5× while it has a status problem such as poison or paralysis.
#310
Manectric
#310
Type
Electric
Category
Discharge Pokémon
National Dex
#0310
Debut
Gen III
Base stat total
475
Manectric, the Discharge Pokemon, has the traits of a canine and of the Raijū, an elemental lightning creature that can take the shape of various mammals, including a blue wolf wrapped in lightning bolts. Mega Manectric (a Mega Evolution is a temporary battle transformation) may draw inspiration from the maned wolf, and Manectric's snout resembles a crocodile clip.
It rarely appears before people, and it is said to nest where lightning has fallen. We nest where the snacks have fallen. Its Lightning Rod ability pulls single-target Electric moves toward itself and absorbs them, raising its Special Attack instead of taking damage.
#571
Zoroark
#571
Type
Dark
Category
Illusion Fox Pokémon
National Dex
#0571
Debut
Gen V
Base stat total
510
Zoroark, the Illusion Fox Pokemon, is based on a fox, possibly the kitsune of Japanese folklore, a shape-shifting fox that would trick travelers for fun. It makes this list because it also resembles a werewolf, being an upright canid with a habit of shape-shifting. Its facial markings may come from Kabuki and Noh theater makeup.
Hisuian Zoroark may draw on an onryō, a vengeful ghost usually shown with disheveled hair and bright white clothes, and with its disheveled white fur it looks like an embodiment of death. It attacks with an energy so bitter it lacerates its own body. We also hurt ourselves holding a grudge, only less visibly. Its Illusion ability disguises it as the last healthy Pokemon in its party until a damaging move hits it.
#744
Rockruff
#744
Type
Rock
Category
Puppy Pokémon
National Dex
#0744
Debut
Gen VII
Base stat total
280
Rockruff, the Puppy Pokemon, is based on the spitz dog breed, and it may also be based on the Japanese wolf, which is often associated with rocks and mountains. The rocky fur around its neck may be based on a wolf collar. Since it was introduced in Alola, it may also draw on the extinct Hawaiian Poi Dog. In one part of Hawaii, infants were given a Poi puppy at birth, and if the child outlived the dog, the dog's teeth were made into a necklace for the child to wear, which matches Rockruff's bone-necklace collar.
It intimidates opponents by striking the ground with the rocks on its neck, and it attacks the moment an opponent flinches. (We flinch at the doorbell, and thankfully nobody attacks.) Its hidden ability, Steadfast, raises its Speed one stage each time it flinches (a hidden ability is a rarer second ability some Pokemon can have). It stands 0.5 m tall.
#745
Lycanroc
#745
Type
Rock
Category
Wolf Pokémon
National Dex
#0745
Debut
Gen VII
Base stat total
487
Lycanroc, the Wolf Pokemon, shares traits with the extinct Japanese and Hokkaido wolves. Its Rock type may refer to the link between wolves and mountains in Japan, where wolves are also called yamainu, or mountain dog. Its Midday and Dusk Forms appear to be wolves, while its Midnight Form is a werewolf. The split between the calm Midday Form and the aggressive Midnight Form may come from the okuri-inu.
Dusk Form's orange fur resembles the sky at sunrise and sunset, and its green eyes may come from the green flash, a brief flash of green light that can sometimes be seen above the sun. It gradually backs its prey into a corner with swift movements, its fangs always aimed at the opponent's weak spots. We back ourselves into corners with no help at all.
#888
Zacian
#888
Type
Fairy
Category
Warrior Pokémon
National Dex
#0888
Debut
Gen VIII
Base stat total
660
Zacian, the Warrior Pokemon, may be based on Excalibur, King Arthur's sword, and its role as a warrior aiding a king may come from the Knights of the Round Table. Its feminine nature may refer to the Lady of the Lake, who gave Arthur his sword. Otherwise it resembles a wolf, an animal once native to Great Britain and an important heraldic symbol for noble families in the Middle Ages, and its long blue fur resembles a caparison, the cloth worn by warhorses.
The crescent shapes on its sword during its signature move, Behemoth Blade, may reference Hati Hróðvitnisson, a wolf that chases the Moon in Norse mythology. It has slumbered for many years, and some call it Zamazenta's elder sister while others say the two are rivals. (We hear sister and rival can be the same person.) Its Intrepid Sword ability boosts its Attack in battle.
#889
Zamazenta
#889
Type
Fighting
Category
Warrior Pokémon
National Dex
#0889
Debut
Gen VIII
Base stat total
660
Zamazenta may be based on King Arthur's shield, known as Wynebgwrthucher or Pridwen, and on the Knights of the Round Table, who worked with Arthur to protect the British kingdom. It also resembles the Iron Wolf of ancient Lithuanian mythology, and its armor plating is similar to barding, the body armor of warhorses. The shape of its shield during Behemoth Bash may reference Sköll, a wolf that chases the Sun in Norse mythology.
It slept for aeons in the form of a statue, so long that people forgot it ever existed. We get forgotten after a long weekend. It stands 2.9 m tall and weighs 210 kg. Its Dauntless Shield ability boosts its Defense in battle.
Three of the Nine Wolf Pokemon Carry Death and Two Guard a King
Three of the nine carry death with them. Houndour and Houndoom come from hellhounds and black dogs associated with death, and people once took Houndoom for the grim reaper. Hisuian Zoroark looks like an embodiment of death.
Zacian and Zamazenta play the guardians. Their retreat to the Slumbering Weald to recover from their wounds, and their return in the present day to save Galar, parallel the legend of King Arthur's return. Lycanroc holds both ideas at once, since the okuri-inu behind it could protect a traveler or turn on one.
Wolf Pokemon FAQ
How many wolf Pokemon are there?
There are 9 wolf Pokemon. Only Lycanroc is a wolf by name, and the other eight draw on wolves in their designs.
What is the strongest wolf Pokemon?
Zacian and Zamazenta, tied at a base stat total of 660. Among the wolf Pokemon that are not legendary, Zoroark is the highest at 510.
Is Lycanroc a wolf?
Yes. Lycanroc is the Wolf Pokemon, and it shares traits with the extinct Japanese and Hokkaido wolves.
Is Zoroark a wolf?
No. Zoroark is the Illusion Fox Pokemon, though its upright, shape-shifting design also resembles a werewolf.
Is Houndoom a wolf?
No. Houndoom is based on hellhounds and black dogs and built like a Dobermann, though its pack hunting and howling are reminiscent of wolves.
