Biology
Houndoom is a quadruped, canine Pokémon that is mainly black with a long orange snout and an orange underbelly. It has small, red eyes and a black nose. Around its neck is a white band with a small skull-shaped pendant on its throat. There are two white bands on each of its ankles, as well as three rib-like ridges on its back. Houndoom has a long, skinny tail with a triangular tip and three clawed toes on each paw. On top of its head is a pair of long, curved gray horns. These horns are smaller on the female than the male.
In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply towards the back serves a leadership role. Leadership is determined by fights within the pack. Its gut is full of toxins, which are used to create fire. This gives Houndoom's fire a foul odor and the wounds it inflicts will never heal. Houndoom appears near rough terrain areas. Its howling induces shivering in other Pokémon, and often sends them scurrying back to their nests.
As Mega Houndoom, the ridges on its back thicken, and it gains additional, bone-like rings around the base of its tail. The rings on its tail have small spikes on top, causing them to resemble vertebrae. The ridge at the base of Mega Houndoom's neck is longer and curves forward towards its shoulders. Instead of a band with a skull pendant, there is a large, toothed structure around its neck. This bone-like formation has two large spikes on either side and three pointed teeth on the bottom. Mega Houndoom's horns now point straight up with a small, outward curve in the middle. The two bands on its hind legs have vanished, and those on its forelegs are broken in the front. Its claws are a dark red due to its ability to generate more heat, which themselves cause pain to Mega Houndoom.[1] Finally, the tip of its tail is now split down the middle. When it Mega Evolves, its entire body generates heat.
In the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
Harrison used a Houndoom during the Silver Conference, where it helped in recovering the flame of Ho-Oh and defeated Ash's Snorlax in their battle. However, it lost to Ash's Bayleef and was Harrison's final Pokémon in the semifinals, where it lost to a Rhyhorn. It was often seen outside of its Poké Ball.
Other
In Houndoom's Special Delivery, a Mareep farmer owns a Houndoom nicknamed Doomy. When Misty's Togepi got separated from Ash and his friends, it came across Doomy as it was delivering a package. Doomy then took Togepi to its home, where they were reunited with Ash's group.
In the beginning of Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, a Pokémon poacher used a Houndoom and a Scyther to chase a Celebi.
In A Ruin with a View, Team Magma Grunts used multiple Houndoom during the takeover of the Oldale Town Pokémon Center. They reappeared in a flashback in A Three Team Scheme!.
In Mean With Envy and Pacifidlog Jam, Joshua used a Houndoom in the Pacifidlog Town Contest.
In Flint Sparks the Fire! and The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore!, the Proprietor owns a Houndoom that is his loyal companion.
In Mega Evolution Special IV, Malva owns a Houndoom that can Mega Evolve. It was one of the ten Mega Evolved Pokémon that Alain and his Charizard had to defeat, and it was eventually defeated after a battle. In The Right Hero for the Right Job!, Rocking Kalos Defenses!, and Forming a More Perfect Union!, it helped fight Lysandre and later the Giant Rock.
In From A to Z!, Mable's Houndoom pursued Z2 in Terminus Cave, but it was defeated by Land's Wrath.
In A Festival of Decisions!, the ninja army used a Houndoom during the attack on Ninja Village.
In Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, a Houndoom that can Mega Evolve was under the control of Levi and Cherie's Mega Wave. Houndoom was used to battle Ash's Pikachu, Clemont's Chespin, and Volcanion. It was later freed from their control when Alva's Mega Wave Crystal was destroyed, and it escaped.
In The Right Hero for the Right Job!, Team Flare Grunts used multiple Houndoom to battle Steven and Serena at Lysandre Labs.
In The Power of Us, a Pokémon hunter's Houndoom and another hunter's Sneasel searched for Zeraora, but targeted a Teddiursa and Ditto instead. This forced Zeraora and soon Ash and his friends to intervene, eventually leaving Sneasel defeated.
Minor appearances
Mega Houndoom in the anime
In The Screen Actor's Guilt, Vitzo's fantasy featured a Houndoom.
In Entei at Your Own Risk, two Houndoom were resting in some hot springs.
In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Houndoom to the school's underage students for use in lessons.
In The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, Dr. Yung created a Mirage Houndoom.
A Houndoom appeared in a visualization in Hi Ho Silver Wind!.
In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, multiple Houndoom were part of the feuding armies that were eventually placated by Sir Aaron in the past. Three of them attacked Lucario just before.
A Coordinator's Houndoom appeared in May, We Harley Drew'd Ya!.
A Trainer's Houndoom appeared in a flashback in Duels of the Jungle!.
In Playing the Performance Encore!, a Coordinator's Houndoom was used alongside a Mightyena in the Battle Stage of the Daybreak Contest.
In Genesect and the Legend Awakened, a Houndoom living in Pokémon Hills participated in the battle against the Genesect Army.
A Houndoom that can Mega Evolve into Mega Houndoom appeared in the opening of Mega Evolution Special I.
In A Crowning Moment of Truth!, two Trainers' Houndoom attended the Wela Fire Festival.
A Houndoom appeared in a flashback in Battling the Beast Within!, under the ownership of the Ultra Rangers. It could not stop the Guzzlord that was wreaking havoc at the Ultra Ruin.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP180
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Houndoom
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Ash's Pokédex
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Houndoom, the Dark Pokémon. The evolved form of Houndour. Houndoom's eerie howl is said to cause those who hear it to shudder in fear.
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In Pokémon Generations
A Houndoom appeared in The Lake of Rage, under the ownership of a Team Rocket Grunt. Along with Grimer, Magnemite, Raticate, and Golbat, it was defeated by Lance's Dragonite during Lance and Ethan's infiltration of the Team Rocket HQ.
In the manga
In the Ash & Pikachu manga
A Houndoom appeared in After The Missing Rucksack!!.
In the movie adaptations
A Pokémon hunter owned a Houndoom in Celebi: a Timeless Encounter.
In the Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 manga
A Houndoom appeared in Breaking Into The Enemy's Lair!.
In the Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon manga
A Houndoom appeared in Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon.
In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga
A Houndoom appeared in JBA4, under the ownership of Archer.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
A group of Houndoom first appeared in Slick Slowking, used by Carl to prevent Gold and Crystal from attacking with their Roar attack.
Maxie has five Houndoom in his arsenal, one of which he used to kill Norman to prevent him from using Rayquaza to interrupt Kyogre and Groudon's fight again. They first appeared in It All Ends Now V.
In Showdown with Houndoom, Pearl came across a Houndoom that attacked him and Rayler.
Darach has a Houndoom, which was used in his battle against Platinum in Getting the Drop on Gallade II.
A Houndoom appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.
Karen's Houndoom was seen in Attaway, Aipom!, prior to her Elite Four colleagues challenging Gold in the Pokéathlon.
Archer's Houndoom appeared in a flashback and was used to threaten Petrel in All About Arceus III.
Team Plasma liberated a Houndoom from a Trainer. It was left behind at N's Castle in A Difficult Parting.
In PS550, Team Flare Scientist Mable owns a Houndoom.
A Houndoom belonging to an Aether Foundation Employee first appeared in PASM24.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
A Houndoom appeared in GDZ47, under the ownership of a thief.
Asuka is revealed to have a Houndoom, which first appeared in GDZ59.
In the Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission manga
A Houndoom appeared in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Two as one of the Pokémon that Solana captured with her Capture Styler. It reappeared in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Four and was released in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Five.
In the TCGOther appearancesGame data
Pokédex entries
Houndoom
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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| Generation II
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Johto
#210
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| Gold
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If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away.
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| Silver
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Upon hearing its eerie howls, other Pokémon get the shivers and head straight back to their nests.
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| Crystal
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The pungent-smelling flame that shoots from its mouth results from toxins burning in its body.
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| Stadium 2
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If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away.
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| Generation III
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Hoenn
#—
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Kanto
#—
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| Ruby
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In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply towards the back serves a leadership role. These Pokémon choose their leader by fighting amongst themselves.
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| Sapphire
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| Emerald
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In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply back serves a leadership role. They choose their leader by fighting among themselves.
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| FireRed
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Upon hearing its eerie howls, other Pokémon get the shivers and head straight back to their nests.
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| LeafGreen
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If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away.
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| Generation IV
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Sinnoh
Pt: #177
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Johto
#215
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| Diamond
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Long ago, people imagined its eerie howls to be the call of the grim reaper.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
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| HeartGold
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If you are burned by the flames it shoots from its mouth, the pain will never go away.
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| SoulSilver
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Upon hearing its eerie howls, other Pokémon get the shivers and head straight back to their nests.
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| Generation V
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Unova
#—
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| Black
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The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
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| White
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| Black 2
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The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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Kalos
Coastal #076
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Hoenn
#—
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| X
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Long ago, people imagined its eerie howls to be the call of the grim reaper.
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| Y
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The flames it breathes when angry contain toxins. If they cause a burn, it will hurt forever.
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| Omega Ruby
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In a Houndoom pack, the one with its horns raked sharply toward the back serves a leadership role. These Pokémon choose their leader by fighting among themselves.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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| Generation VII
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Alola
USUM: #290
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Kanto
#—
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| This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sun, Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
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| Ultra Sun
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They spew flames mixed with poison to finish off their opponents. They divvy up their prey evenly among the members of their pack.
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| Ultra Moon
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Identifiable by its eerie howls, people a long time ago thought it was the grim reaper and feared it.
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| Mega Houndoom
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| Ultra Sun
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Its red claws and the tips of its tail are melting from high internal temperatures that are painful to Houndoom itself.
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| Ultra Moon
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Houndoom's entire body generates heat when it Mega Evolves. Its fearsome fiery breath turns its opponents to ash.
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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In side games
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Houndoom
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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75
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135 - 182
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260 - 354
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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110
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103 - 178
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202 - 350
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80
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76 - 145
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148 - 284
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95
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90 - 161
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175 - 317
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Total: 500
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Mega Houndoom
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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75
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135 - 182
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260 - 354
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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140
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130 - 211
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256 - 416
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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115
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108 - 183
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211 - 361
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Total: 600
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Other Pokémon with this total
|
- Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
- Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Houndoom
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Houndoom
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Houndoom
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Houndoom
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Houndoom in Generation VII
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Houndoom in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Houndoom
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Houndoom
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Houndoom can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Houndoom cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Houndoom
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Houndoom
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Houndoom
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Houndoom
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Burn ×2)
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| Loops: 6
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Min. exp.: 60
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Max. exp.: 80
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Browser entry R-161
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| Houndoom blows out a big ball of fire. It has no trouble torching a Fallen Log.
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
(present)
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Field move:
(present)
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(Burn ×2)
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Poké Assist:
(past)
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Field move:
(past)
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(Burn ×1)
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| Browser entry R-267/N-084
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| It releases a dark pulse around itself that makes Pokémon Tired.
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Evolution
Forms
Mega Evolution
Sprites
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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Trivia
- Houndoom has three different sprites in each Generation II game. It also shares this same trait in Generation IV games. This makes it one of the few Pokémon with this distinction.
Origin
Houndoom may have been based on the Cerberus of Greek and Roman mythology, or other legends of hellhounds. Houndoom is also similar in appearance to Dobermanns. Its tail resembles that of common depictions of the devil. Houndoom also seems to bear some resemblance to the extinct thylacine, a hound-like marsupial with a lean body and stripey pattern on its back, much like Houndoom in respects of appearance. Houndoom's Shiny coloration could be based on Yama, the Hindu Lord of the Fallen, who often appears blue and red.
Name origin
Houndoom is a combination of hound and doom.
Hellgar is a combination of hell (alluding to its dark and fiery nature, as a hellhound) and gar (a sound that dogs make).
In other languagesRelated articlesNotesExternal links
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This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
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Houndoominite (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Houndoom images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
