Growlithe

Growlithe
Primeape
058
Arcanine
Ability	Intimidate Flash Fire Justified Kanto (Hidden) Rock HeadHisui (Hidden)
Egg group	Field
First game	Pokémon Red and Blue
Creator	Game Freak
Artist	Megumi Mizutani (Hisui)

Growlithe<sup>(JPJapanese: ガーディ

Romaji: Gardie)</sup> is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Fire-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves into Arcanine using a Fire Stone. Growlithe also has a variant native to the Hisui region. This variant has the Fire/Rock dual type.

Physiology and Behaviour

Growlithe is a quadrupedal canine Pokémon. It has orange fur with black stripes along its back and legs. The fur on its muzzle, chest, belly, and tail is beige, as is an additional tuft of fur on top of its head. Growlithe's coat is noticeably longer on its chest and tail. It has gray eyes, a black nose, and large, round and triangular ears with beige interiors. Its forepaws have two visible claws, while its hind paws have three toes each. Each paw has a brown pad.

Growlithe is a friendly and loyal Pokémon that is known for its bravery. It will fearlessly defend its Trainer and territory from harm, even against larger, stronger enemies. Growlithe can use its powerful sense of smell to detect the emotions of others, and never forgets a scent. It will fiercely bark at, bite, and chase away any perceived threats. Otherwise, this obedient Pokémon will wait motionlessly until given an order. Highly trainable, Growlithe make effective guard dogs and in some regions are even used as police dogs. Growlithe has a long history with people, as its bones have been found in archeological excavations of Stone Age ruins.

In the wild, Growlithe can be commonly found in grassy plains, though in some regions they are a common sight near urban environments. Wild Growlithe live in packs, working as a team to catch prey and defend territory. If it detects an unknown smell in its territory, it roars loudly to flush out the intruder. In Alola, it has been known to fight with packs of Rockruff over territory and probably competes with other canid Pokémon such as Houndour and Maschiff as well.

While Growlithe also has a powerful olfactory sense, strong, unpleasant smells can disable Growlithe's sense of smell for short periods. So, they typically avoid fowl smelling Pokémon like Koffing and Stunky.

Hisuian Growlithe

In Hisui, Growlithe's fur is dark orange-red, while its mane and tail are light gray, and its muzzle is a light tan. The fur is made out of igneous rock components. Its mane covers its eyes and extends below its head, ending with three curls. Its ears are round and square with light orange-red interiors. It has a small horn made of rock on its head, and its tail is curly.

Growlithe's Hisuian form is the result of it being exposed to volcanic activity within the coastal highlands it lives in during Hisui's early times. Hisuian Growlithe's soft and insulated fur allows it to survive the cold weather of Hisui. Although Hisuian Growlithe's horn is made of rock, it is fragile and breaks easily, so the Pokémon rarely uses its horn unless needed. Hisuian Growlithe live in pairs, and are known to be vigilant when guarding their territory. Hisuian Growlithe take much longer to bond with humans because they have lived apart from humans for a long time.

Appearances

Main Pokémon games

In Pokémon Red and Blue Growlithe is one of the version exclusive Pokémon exclusive to Pokémon Red. Its rival Vulpix replaces it in the Blue version. They can be found in Route 7 or Route 8 prior to the player arriving in Celadon City giving the player a Fire-type Pokémon for their battle against Erika if they hadn't picked Charmander as their starter. Higher level versions of Growlithe and Vulpix can later be found in the Pokémon Mansion dungeon, alongside other Fire Pokémon, like Ponyta or Magmar (Blue only).

Pokémon Legends: Arceus: Two Hisuian Growlithe are supporting characters and one being a boss in the game. One of them is the pup of the previous Noble Arcanine, and by extension, a descendant of the Hisuian Arcanine that the Ancient hero had befriended ages ago, and the other one is his friend owned by Palina. Since the previous Lord had died, Arcanine's son later evolved into an Arcanine himself, succeeding his father as the new Noble and being beloved by the people of Hisui region along with the other Noble and Ride Pokémon.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: In The Teal Mask DLC, Hisuian Growlithe is a minor character in the games. He's one of the few known Hisuian Growlithe known to be alive in the present, he's owned by Perrin along with his little brother, who's later given to the player.

Other Pokémon games

Detective Pikachu Returns: Growlithe is one of the Pokémon that Detective Pikachu can ride during the game to help him out during a case. She can use her strong sense of smell to track down traces of scent.

In the anime

Growlithe most commonly appears in Pokémon the Series as the signature Pokémon the various Officer Jennies working for the police of the "Japan based" Pokémon regions (Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh) where they function as police dogs. In episode 54, The Case of the K-9 Caper!, Ash and friends visit a school for training these Growlithe.

A Growlithe also appears in episode 33, The Flame Pokémon-athon!, where it is owned by Lara Laramie, a Tauros breeder, and in charge of guarding her Tauros from thieves as well as keeping them in line when they stampede. In episode 48, Holy Matrimony!, it's revealed that James' family owns a Growlithe, named Growlie, who was James' first Pokémon and often his only friend while growing up. When James ran away to join Team Rocket, he left Growlie behind at home because he didn't want him to become entangled in a criminal organization.

In Pokémon Generations, Looker used a Growlithe during the raid on the Viridian City Gym. It accompanied Looker in his search for Giovanni and investigated the traces of explosives at the Gym's battlefield.

Growlithe's Hisuian form made several appearances in the anime.

Origin and inspiration

Growlithe may be based on Japanese statues called 獅子 shisa that resemble a mix between lions and dogs. They may also originate from Chinese 獅 shī or Japanese 狛犬 komainu, which are guardian statues that also resemble lion and dog mixes and are sometimes incorrectly called "Foo dogs" in the West. Both shisa and shī statues alike are often found in pairs, believed to invite good luck, and used as guardians, which may have inspired Growlithe's protective nature. Its stripes and coloration are reminiscent of tigers. It may also draw inspiration from dogs with brindle ("tiger-striped") coat patterns, such as the 甲斐犬 Kai Ken. Growlithe and Arcanine also share traits with the extinct marsupial species known as the Tasmanian tiger, given its orange fur with black stripes.

In its Hisuian Form, its Rock typing and appearance may be based on the komainu statues.

In-game information

Pokédex entries

Title	Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue	Very protective of its territory. It will bark and bite to repel intruders from its space.
Pokémon Yellow	A Pokémon with a friendly nature. However, it will bark fiercely at anything invading its territory.
Pokémon Stadium	Friendly and loyal, but also jealously protective of its territory. Carelessly approaching it may result in a bite.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold	It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Pokémon Silver	Extremely loyal, it will fearlessly bark at any opponent to protect its own Trainer from harm.
Pokémon Crystal	It controls a big territory. If it detects an unknown smell, it roars loudly to force out the intruder.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby	Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.
Pokémon Sapphire	Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.
Pokémon Emerald	Its superb sense of smell ensures that this Pokémon won't forget any scent, no matter what. It uses its sense of smell to detect the emotions of others.
Pokémon FireRed	Very friendly and faithful to people. It will try to repel enemies by barking and biting.
Pokémon LeafGreen	It is very protective of its territory. It will bark and bite to repel intruders from its space.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond	A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon Pearl	A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon Platinum	A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon HeartGold	It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Pokémon SoulSilver	Extremely loyal, it will fearlessly bark at any opponent to protect its own Trainer from harm.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black	A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon White	A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon Black 2	Extremely loyal to its Trainer, it will bark at those who approach the Trainer unexpectedly and run them out of town.
Pokémon White 2	Extremely loyal to its Trainer, it will bark at those who approach the Trainer unexpectedly and run them out of town.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X	Very friendly and faithful to people. It will try to repel enemies by barking and biting.
Pokémon Y	It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Pokémon Omega Ruby	Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire	Growlithe has a superb sense of smell. Once it smells anything, this Pokémon won't forget the scent, no matter what. It uses its advanced olfactory sense to determine the emotions of other living things.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	It's both clever and loyal, but if a stranger tries to invade its territory, it barks threateningly.
Pokémon Moon	It looks cute, but when you approach another Trainer's Growlithe, it will bark at you and bite.
Pokémon Ultra Sun	While it's quite friendly toward humans once it's grown used to them, in the wild it must be quite fierce to defend its territory from Rockruff.
Pokémon Ultra Moon	It has lived alongside humans since ages ago. Its bones have been found in excavations of ruins from the Stone Age.
Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu	A Pokémon with a friendly nature. However, it will bark fiercely at anything invading its territory.
Pokémon Let's Go Eevee	A Pokémon with a friendly nature. However, it will bark fiercely at anything invading its territory.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Pokémon Shield	Extremely loyal, it will fearlessly bark at any opponent to protect its own Trainer from harm.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond	It is a Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Pokémon Shining Pearl	It is a Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Pokémon Violet	It's very friendly and faithful to people. It will try to repel enemies by barking and biting.

Hisui

Title	Entry
Pokémon Legends: Arceus	They patrol their territory in pairs. I believe the igneous rock components in the fur of this species are the result of volcanic activity in its habitat.

Game locations

Title	Location(s)
Pokémon Red	Routes 7 and 8, Pokémon Mansion
Pokémon Blue	Routes 7 and 8, Pokémon Mansion (Japan only)
Pokémon Yellow	Pokémon Mansion
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold	Routes 7, 8, 35, 36 and 37
Pokémon Crystal	8, 36 and 37
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby	Trade
Pokémon FireRed	Routes 7 and 8, Pokémon Mansion
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond	Routes 201 and 202 (FireRed)
Pokémon Pearl	Routes 201 and 202 (FireRed)
Pokémon Platinum	Routes 201 and 202 (FireRed)
Pokémon HeartGold	Routes 7, 8, 36, 37 and 48
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black	Trade
Pokémon Black 2	Virbank Complex
Pokémon White 2	Virbank Complex
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X	Friend Safari (Fire)
Pokémon Y	Friend Safari (Fire)
Pokémon Omega Ruby	Mt. Pyre exterior (hidden Pokémon*)
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire	Mt. Pyre exterior (hidden Pokémon*)
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	Route 2
Pokémon Moon	Route 2
Pokémon Ultra Sun	Route 2
Pokémon Ultra Moon	Route 2
Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu	Routes 5, 6, 7, and 8
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	Dusty Bowl, Hammerlocke Hills
Pokémon Shield	Route 3, Rolling Fields, Dappled Grove, Watchtower Ruins, East Lake Axewell, West Lake Axewell, Axew's Eye, South Lake Miloch, Giant's Seat, North Lake Miloch Dusty Bowl, Giant's Cap, Hammerlocke Hills, Lake of Outrage, Stony Wilderness (Max Raid Battle)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond	Grand Underground - Spacious Cave, Volcanic Cave, Sandsear Cave, Typhlo Cavern
Pokémon Legends: Arceus	Cobalt Coastlands: Windbreak Stand, Veilstone Cape, massive mass outbreaks (Hisuian)
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet	South Province: Area Two, Area Three (Kantonian Form) East Province: Area Three (Kantonian Form) North Province: Area Two (Kantonian Form) East Province: Area Two (Ground Tera Type) (Kantonian Form) Apple Hills, Reveler's Road, Mossfell Confluence, Oni Mountain, Oni's Maw, Infernal Pass, Crystal Pool, Paradise Barrens, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods (Kantonian Form) Gift from Perrin (Hisuian Form)
Pokémon Violet	South Province: Area Two, Area Three (Kantonian Form) East Province: Area Three (Kantonian Form) North Province: Area Two (Kantonian Form) East Province: Area Two (Ground Tera Type) (Kantonian Form) Apple Hills, Reveler's Road, Mossfell Confluence, Oni Mountain, Oni's Maw, Infernal Pass, Crystal Pool, Paradise Barrens, Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods (Kantonian Form) Gift from Perrin (Hisuian Form)

Evolution

Kanto

Growlithe	Use Fire Stone.	Arcanine

Hisui

Growlithe	Use Fire Stone.	Arcanine

Base Stats

Kanto

Base Stats
HP	55
Attack	70
Defense	45
Sp. Attack	70
Sp. Defense	50
Speed	60
Total	350

Hisui

Base Stats
HP	60
Attack	75
Defense	45
Sp. Attack	65
Sp. Defense	50
Speed	55
Total	350

Gallery

Growlithe as Okinawa Prefecture’s Ambassadorial Pokémon

Sprites

Sprites
Red Green	Red Blue	Yellow
Gold File:PKMNG058-S.png	Silver File:PKMNS058.png File:PKMNS058-S.png	Crystal File:PKMNC058.gif File:PKMNC058-S.gif
Ruby Sapphire File:PKMNRS058.png File:PKMNRS058-S.png	Emerald File:PKMNE058.gif File:PKMNE058-S.gif	Fire Leaf File:PKMNFRLG058-S.png
Diamond Pearl File:PKMNDP058-S.png	Platinum File:PKMNP058.png File:PKMNP058-S.png	Heart Soul File:PKMNHGSS058.png File:PKMNHGSS058-S.png
Black White File:PKMNBW058-S.png	Black 2 White 2 File:PKMNBW2058.png File:PKMNBW2058-S.png	X Y File:PKMNXY058-S.png
Pikachu Eevee File:PKMNLGPE058-S.png	Sword Shield File:PKMNSS058-S.png	Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl File:PKMNBDSP058.png File:PKMNBDSP058-S.png
Scarlet Violet File:PKMNSV058-S.png

Hisui

Renders
Legends Arceus File:PKMNPLA058-H-S.png Scarlet Violet File:PKMNSV058-H-S.png

Trivia

• The beta Pokémon names in Pokémon Red and Blue list Growlithe as Flamie.
• Growlithe and its evolved form are the only Pokémon with a male-female ratio of 3:1 that aren't in the Human-Like Egg Group.
• Hisuian Growlithe and Hisuian Braviary were the first Hisuian forms to be officially revealed.
• In Pokémon Legends: Arceus's internal code, Hisuian Growlithe's Hidden Ability is Justified instead of Rock Head.
• On August 2024, Growlithe was signed in as the Official Ambassadorial Pokémon for Okinawa Prefecture.