Dog Pokémon are pretty popular. Given that the vast majority of the creatures are inspired by something from the real world (Applin is an apple, Solrock is the sun and Purrloin is a cat), it makes sense that one of the most popular animals has inspired a ton of Pokémon. Dogs are popular and there are a ton of different kinds. As a result, over nine generations, the Pokémon Company has designed quite a few canine Pokémon. Here is the full list through Generation IX.
Arcanine is known as the Puppy Pokémon
In Kanto, a few dog Pokémon can be found. Growlithe is arguably the first canine Pokémon. It has been called the Puppy Pokémon and naturally, its evolution Arcanine is also a dog. Vulpix and Ninetales are somewhat dog-like, especially the latter. They are also fox-like, but Ninetales has a canine appearance. Generation I is considered the most popular by many trainers, and it could be because of their iconic dogs.
Granbull is one of the most recognizable dogs in Pokémon
Snubbull and Granbull are two of the most overtly dog-like Pokémon in the franchise. They’re clearly inspired by bulldogs. They’re both called the Fairy Pokémon, but they’re easily the most recognizable dog Pokémon out there. Johto is the region of dogs, because Houndour and Houndoom are both clearly dogs as well. They are designed to fit the Dark/Fire aesthetic that their typing calls for, but they’re definitely dogs. In Generation II, there are even more dogs. Smeargle is considered a dog and it certainly has canine features.
Perhaps the most notable dogs in the entire franchise are the Legendary Beasts. The trio of Legendaries, including Raikou, Entei and Suicune, are clear dogs. The trio has become iconic for many reasons and they are the most powerful and more than likely the most popular dog Pokémon out there.
Manectric
In Hoenn, there are a few more dog Pokémon that Nintendo introduced. Electrike and its evolution Manectric are Electric-type dogs. Furthermore, they are joined by Poochyena and Mightyena, two of the most blatant dog-like creatures the Pokémon Company has come up with. Nickit and Thievul are fox-like, but many consider them to be dog Pokémon, too. Oftentimes, designs are influenced by many different things. That makes it totally possible that Nickit and Thievul are both fox and dog-like.
Shinx resembles a dog
Shinx is one of the most popular Pokémon and it very clearly resembles a dog. The same is true of subsequent evolutions, Luxio and Luxray. It may be a stretch, but Arceus is somewhat canine-esque in its form and features. Sinnoh was surprisingly lacking in the dog area in terms of Pokémon design, but Shinx and its evolutions remain extremely popular to this day.
Lillipup is a dog from the fifth Generation of Pokémon
In Unova, there are a few more clear canines. Lillipup, as the name would suggest, is one. Its nickname, to take it a step further, is the Puppy Pokémon. So are Herdier and Stoutland. Zorua is called the Tricky Fox Pokémon. However, it and Zoroark both have canine features. That sums up the dogs that were first discovered in Unova.
Furfrou has many different forms, but they are all dogs
Fennekin, the Fire starter from Kalos, resembles both a fox and a dog. However, as it evolves into Braixen and then Delphox, it becomes much more fox-like and bipedal, so they don’t look much like dogs. Regardless, Fennekin is a very dog-like Pokémon. Furfrou is a dog, too. It resembles a real-life poodle. It also has several forms that also resemble poodles:
Furfrou is an easily recognizable dog. Kalos was a big region for canines as many, including (potentially) a starter, were based on the species.
Rockruff is a dog. It is designed exactly like a canine and has the sound a dog makes in its name. Subsequently, the different forms of Lycanroc are less canine-like, but they’re still dogs of sorts. The midday form is much more canine-esque, though. Type: Null and Sylvally are two of the most unknown Pokémon in the entire game (unknown, not Unown). However, they share a lot of characteristics with dogs and appear to be shaped like them, too.
Sword and Shield introduced a few more dog Pokémon to the mix. Yamper and Boltund make for more Electric-type canines like Electivire and Manectric. Yamper is a bit of a dachshund based on its design, but Boltund is taller and thinner, representing other breeds. Boltund is considered the Electric Dog Pokémon. Once more, the Legendary Pokémon from this region are considered Legendary dog Pokémon. Both Zacian and Zamazenta are canines with regal adornments and of course, their sword and shield.
Fidough and Dachsbun are two of the most popular dogs
Much like Yamper, Fidough and Dachsbun are very close to dachshunds. Clearly, Dachsbun is named after the breed, too. Maschiff and Masbostiff, who is a very integral part of the storyline, are both dogs as well. Greavard and Houndstone are big dogs as well. Though more DLC Pokémon are coming to Scarlet and Violet, that is currently all the Pokémon dogs in this generation.
As of now, that is all dog Pokémon available. As the franchise continues to expand and new regions and generations are introduced, expect the list to continue growing.
Over the years, The Pokémon Company has introduced quite a few dogs to the game. This makes sense given how prominent the species is. Man’s best friend deserves a big representation in one of the most popular game franchises of all time. However, upon further inspection, there is still a lot of room for dog breeds to be represented.
With creativity potentially waning for new designs, Nintendo can always turn to the laundry list of different dog breeds and continue making unique designs based on them. Other animals will get attention, but dog Pokémon are among the most popular in the series for good reason. Pokémon that look like dogs are often fan favorites, like Arcanine, Rockruff, Dachsbun and others.
Read Also: How to get Mewtwo in Pokémon GO
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