Dogs are generally beloved creatures, so it is no surprise that Pokemon draws fans in with similar creatures. However, some of these Pokemon show the vicious and dangerous side of dogs as well. With Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, the number of currently available dog-like species increased even further.
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Growlithe and Arcanine
Introduced in Pokemon’s first generation, Growlithe and Arcanine are among the most popular dog Pokemon in the series. Growlithe is a feisty puppy with stripes like a tiger, while its evolved form, Arcanine, is slightly larger with a flowing, white tail. In the Pokedex, the dogs are described as loyal, and they are admired for their beauty. There are also Hisuian versions of Growlithe and Arcanine which can be found in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
Fidough and Dachsbun
Fidough is one of the new dog Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet. It has stubby legs and a body that looks like it’s fit to be put in an oven. It evolves into Dachsbun the Fairy-Type dog with darker fur and a longer body. With the evolution line based on bread puns, which further shows thanks to Dachsbun’s Well-Baked Body Ability, it’s easy to see how some players just fell in love with these puppies.
Yamper and Boltund
While Growlithe’s evolutionary line embraces fire, Yamper’s line focuses on electricity. Pokemon Sword and Shield’s Yamper is a cute puppy with white and brown fur, and it has a bunch of yellow fur around its neck. According to the Pokedex, Yamper is used as a herding dog by the people of Galar. At level 25, the electric puppy evolves in Boltund. It looks like an agile dog, and it has yellow fur with green fur covering its belly and legs. This Pokemon is full of energy, and it can run for three days without rest.
Electrike and Manectric
Electrike’s evolutionary line provides gamers with more Electric-Type dog Pokemon. It is an adorably small, green dog with a yellow stripe running horizontally on its face. Pokedex entries reveal that it stores electricity in its fur, and allows it to heighten its reaction speed. From level 26, Electrike evolves into Manectric. It is covered in blue fur with gold tufts on its head rear legs and front paws. It is known to be found where there are thunderstorms, and it discharges electricity from its golden mane. Despite being cute, these Pokemon are often aggressive when found in the overworld.
Snubbull and Granbull
Snubbull is a cute Fairy-Type dog Pokemon that looks like a bulldog with a pink dress on. Its blue spots add to its adorable design, though its grumpy face might put some gamers off. According to the Pokedex, Snubbull’s appearance is somewhat deceiving, as it can be kind and affectionate. The evolved form of Snubbull, Granbull, looks even more intimidating despite its bright pink fur. It stands on two legs, looking like it is always squaring off for a fight.
Lillipup, Herdier, and Stoutland
Lillipup is a small Normal-Type puppy with brown fur and lighter fur on its face that is a bit star-shaped. It doesn’t stay small for long, as at level 16 it evolves into Herdier. This is a slightly larger dog with blue fur hanging down its back like a rag. The Pokemon appears to be based on the Scottish Terrier. The final evolutionary form is Stoutland, which has a long mustache that hangs down to the ground. Stoutland is portrayed as a helpful Pokemon in the Pokedex, as it is said to help those lost in blizzards.
Houndour and Houndoom
Houndour’s evolutionary line provides some of the most intimidating dog Pokemon in the series. Although Houndour isn’t big, its mean expression and dark fur make it a fearsome foe. Its evolved form, Houndoom, is bigger with horns like a ram. In Pokemon X and Y, Houndoom received a Mega Evolution which added a fork to its pointed tail and gives it more silver armor on its chest. Both creatures are likely based on Dobermans and Rottweilers.
Riolu and Lucario
Riolu is a cute, bipedal critter with blue skin and floppy, black ears. It emits an aura that alerts others of how it is feeling. It is worth training up a Riolu, as it eventually evolves into Lucario which is a powerful Fighting/Steel Dual-Type Pokemon. Lucario is a loyal Pokemon, especially to its Trainer, and it has the ability to sense the auras of others. Both Pokemon have an interesting design that appears to be based on the Egyptian god Anubis, who is said to have the head of a wolf.
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Rockruff and Lycanroc
Rockruff is yet another cute puppy Pokemon that players can catch, and it was introduced in Pokemon Sun and Moon as a new purely Rock-Type Pokemon. It would be a relatively forgettable creature if it wasn’t for the fact that it has an interesting evolutionary mechanic. Depending on the time of day, it evolves into a different type of Lycanroc. If Rockruff evolves during the day, it becomes Midday Form Lycanroc, and if it evolves during the night it becomes Midnight Form Lycanroc. There is also the rare Dusk Form Lycanroc that evolves from a Rockruff with Own Tempo at the right time of day, which is dusk. In Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, dusk typically only lasts for a few minutes, making it quite rare indeed.
Furfrou
Introduced in Pokemon X and Y, Furfrou is a snooty, poodle-like Pokemon. It is covered in white fur that can be styled depending on what players like, coming in many different shapes and forms that end up being its signature gimmick. It is a Normal-Type creature, and although its stats aren’t too impressive, it adds a bit of elegance to any team. Notably, it’s one of the few Pokemon to be missing on the Switch as of Scarlet and Violet, with players hoping it’ll come back in Gen 9’s DLC.
Greavard and Houndstone
Greavard is yet another dog Pokemon introduced in Scarlet and Violet. It has a bit of a morbid backstory, and it evolves into Houndstone which knows the powerful move Last Respects, making it deal more damage the more allies faint during the battle. The evolutionary line appears to be based on Sheepdog, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet used Greavard for marketing purposes, revealing it ahead of launch near Halloween.
Maschiff and Mabosstiff
Maschiff is a brown, chubby Pokemon that seems perpetually anxious. The Pokedex reveals that it tries to scare children, but they just laugh at its face. Maschiff evolves into Mabosstiff, which is a little more intimidating. It is larger than its predecessor, and it has gray fur. It receives a lot of attention in Scarlet and Violet, as Arven has one.
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Smeargle
Although it’s not initially obvious, Smeargle is yet another dog Pokemon. Its design borrows elements from beagles, as seen with its floppy ears. Smeargle is a Normal-Type Pokemon, and it is known as the painter Pokemon. Smeargle was a problematic Pokemon in the past, but fans would like to see more of it in modern games.
Poochyena and Mightyena
This entry is a bit of a technicality, as the Poochyena evolutionary line is primarily inspired by hyenas, which, despite their appearance, are not part of the Canidae biological family. Nevertheless, the Pokemon do have some wolf-like elements to their design, such as their gray fur, which gives them a reason to appear on the list. Poochyena is gray and furry with black paws, and the Pokedex entry stresses its bite strength. Mightyena is larger, and it is said to hunt in packs.
Mythical and Legendary Pokemon: Shaymin, Zamazenta, and Zacian
Shaymin is one of the most interesting dog-like Pokemon, as it has multiple forms. Its first form has Shaymin looking like a hedgehog with greenery on its back instead of quills. If it is given a Gracidea flower in the daytime, it becomes a Sky Form Shaymin that looks like a white dog with green fur on its legs. Two legendary dogs were introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield - Zacian and Zamazenta. These regal-looking dogs also have secondary forms. Zacian’s is activated when it is given a Rusted Sword while Zamazenta’s is activated when it is given a Rusted Shield.
There are a couple of Pokemon that could have arguably made the list, including Silvally, which looks like a mishmash of different animals. However, they just aren’t dog-like enough to justify giving them a spot. Fox Pokemon like Vulpix and Fennekin have also been left off the list because, despite being part of the Canidae family, they are numerous enough to deserve their own spotlight. As seen, for dog lovers, there are more than enough Pokemon to keep them satisfied.
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