Growlithe is a quadruped, canine Pokémon. It has orange fur with black stripes along its back and legs. The fur on its muzzle, chest, belly, and tail is cream-colored, as well as 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 ears. 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 will fearlessly defend its Trainer and territory from harm, even against larger, stronger enemies. It will fiercely bark at, bite, and chase away any perceived threat, including those who suddenly approach its Trainer. Otherwise, this obedient Pokémon will wait motionlessly until given an order. Growlithe also has a powerful olfactory sense. If it detects an unknown smell in its territory, it roars to flush out the intruder. It is able to smell the emotions of others, and never forgets a scent. However, strong, unpleasant smells can disable its sense of smell for short periods, as seen in the anime. Growlithe can be commonly found in grassy plains.
In the main series
Major appearances
James had a pet Growlithe nicknamed Growlie that he owned as a child. However, he left it behind when he ran away from home.
Growlithe and its evolved form have been used as police dogs by Officer Jenny.
Other
In The Flame Pokémon-athon!, a Growlithe appeared when Ash tried to catch a Tauros from a ranch.
Morrison introduced his Growlithe to Ash and his friends in Saved by the Beldum.
In On Cloud Arcanine, Drew and May discovered that the Arcanine they were trying to catch had a litter of Growlithe to take care of. Due to this, they decided to leave the Arcanine alone.
A Growlithe appeared in Cilan and the Case of the Purrloin Witness! under the ownership of Tedesco.
Minor appearances
Growlithe was first seen in a Pokémon Center in Sparks Fly for Magnemite.
A Growlithe appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back.
Multiple Growlithe were seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.
A Growlithe was among the Pokémon controlled by Cassidy and Butch in Pikachu Re-Volts.
Nurse Joy's expedition crew had two Growlithe to help look for Kabuto Fossils in Shell Shock!.
Multiple Growlithe appeared in The Power of One.
The security guards in Snubbull Snobbery owned a Growlithe.
A Growlithe participated in a Pokémon breeding competition in Beauty and the Breeder.
A Growlithe, along with an Arcanine, acted as security guards for a penthouse in Training Daze.
Multiple Growlithe appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.
A Trainer's Growlithe appeared in Off the Unbeaten Path participating in the Pokémon Orienteering.
A Growlithe appeared in Camping It Up!.
A Trainer's Growlithe appeared in Curtain Up, Unova League! and Lost at the League!.
A Growlithe appeared in Secrets From Out of the Fog!.
A Growlithe appeared in Go, Go Gogoat!.
A Growlithe appeared in SS027.
Two Trainers Growlithe appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.
A Growlithe appeared in SM004.
Six Trainers' Growlithe appeared in SM006.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP033
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Growlithe
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Ash's Pokédex
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Growlithe, a Puppy Pokémon of pleasant demeanor and great diligence. It drives enemies away with barks and bites.
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EP054
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Growlithe
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Ash's Pokédex
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Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon. While loyal to its master, the Growlithe will drive away enemies by barking and biting.
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Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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DP153
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Growlithe
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Dawn's Pokédex
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Growlithe, the Puppy Pokémon. Growlithe are very loyal and won't move unless their Trainer commands it.
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In Pokémon Origins
A Growlithe appeared in File 2: Cubone at the Pokémon House in Lavender Town.
In Pokémon Generations
A Growlithe appeared under the ownership of an International Police SWAT team in The Chase.
A Growlithe appeared in a flashback in Ecruteak City in The Reawakening.
- The beta Pokémon names in Red and Blue listed Growlithe as Flamie.
- Growlithe can be seen as a parallel to Vulpix. Both are Generation I Pokémon that evolve once via a Fire Stone. Growlithe is exclusive to Pokémon Red, Blue (Japan), Gold, FireRed, and HeartGold while Vulpix is to Green, Blue, Silver, LeafGreen, and SoulSilver. Growlithe has a 75% chance of being male while Vulpix has a 75% of being female, they are both in the Field Egg Group, can have the Ability Flash Fire, and are yellow when Shiny from Generation III on. Furthermore, both are based on canines as well as animals of Japanese folklore: Growlithe on the dog and shisa, Vulpix on the fox and kitsune.
- Growlithe shares its category with Lillipup and Rockruff. They are all known as the Puppy Pokémon.
Origin
Growlithe is most likely based on Japanese dog statues called 獅子 shisa. They may also originate from Chinese 獅 shī or Japanese 狛犬 komainu, which are guardian statues that resemble lions, with traits of tigers and dogs. They are 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.
Name origin
Growlithe may be a combination of growl and lithe.
- Despite its name containing the word growl, Growlithe has never been able to learn Growl.
Gardie may refer to its abilities as a guard dog, as a corruption of guard or guardian.