The never-ending list of Pokémon continues on, and if you're like me and are a big fan of dogs, then you may be interested in adding one to your team, because why not? They're not only adorable, but some can also be highly effective in battle, too.
My personal favourite has to be Yamper, only because he reminds me of my very own Corgi, named Pippin! So, let's get catching and jump into a list of Dog Pokémon, mostly in order of Generation!
Growlithe
- Type: Fire
- Weight: 19kg
- Evolves: Using Fire Stone
- Generation: 1
Growlithe may be one of the most adorable Pokémon there is, mixing coolness with cuteness in a way that is unmatched in the original 151 Pokémon. It takes direct inspiration from a dog, alongside subtle nods to that of a Lion due to its main and orangey colour.
Hisuian Growlithe
- Type: Fire/Rock
- Weight: 22kg
- Evolves: Using Fire Stone
- Generation: 8
If the original Growlithe isn't to your taste, then venturing to the Hisui region will bring you in the direction of a Hisuian Growlithe, that faetures Fire/Rock dual type, more fur and a darker orange tone. But still the same cuteness, in my opinion.
Arcanine
- Type: Fire
- Weight: 155kg
- Generation: 1
Arcanine was close to becoming a legendary Pokémon in the original animations, and although that's not the case, it's an incredibly powerful and brave Pokémon that's loyal and capable of running over 6,000 miles in a single day. The source of its power is a burning flame inside its body.
Hisuian Arcanine
- Type: Fire/Rock
- Weight: 168kg
- Generation: 8
I remember coming across Hisuian Arcanine in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It was a mighty Pokémon that had godlike features and a dual type that scared any Pokémon trainer. It has slightly different features in comparison to an original Arcanine, with a more aggressive mane, sharper ears, a larger tail and a slightly darker orange colour.
Snubbull
- Type: Fairy
- Weight: 8kg
- Evolves: Level 23
- Generation: 2
Snubbull is a fairy-type Pokémon with some serious anger issues. Featured in Generation 2, it has a pink body, with blue-ish Pokedots, and a long, dangly bottom that resembles a dress. And of course, it takes design inspiration from the classic British bulldog!
Grandbull
- Type: Fairy
- Weight: 50kg
- Generation: 2
With a total base stat count of 450 across the board, it’s not exactly a low-level hitter. Granbull certainly isn’t a fast Pokemon; with a base speed stat of 45, it won’t be going first in battle or getting its moves in before the other Pokemon in this list.
Still, with an attack of 120, its bark is definitely as mean as its bite, and 90 HP might not get you all the way through a battle single-handedly, but Granbull is definitely a hard-hitter that can certainly add some extra strength to your team.
Houndour
- Type: Dark/Fire
- Weight: 11kg
- Evolves: Level 24
- Generation: 2
Certainly an evil-looking Pokémon, Houndour is a Fire/Dark-type dog with subtle nods to bones and skulls, thanks to the dark fur and grey accents that take inspiration from rib cages and skulls.
It's a great early Pokémon for those wanting to add a powerful Fire-type Pokémon to their list once evolved into Houndoom at level 24.
Houndoom
- Type: Dark/Fire
- Weight: 35kg
- Evolves: Using Houndoominite
- Generation: 2
Houndoom is a goth’s best friend. It basically looks like the devil lord of all dogs and is black and silver. Get a lead with studs and skulls on it, too, and the set is complete! A Dark and Fire Pokemon that could have come from the bowels of hell itself, Houndoom is fast and boasts a special attack of 110, meaning moves like Fire Blast are going to hit home and leave more than just a mark.
It might have sold its soul to look like the devil and carry off a ‘Hound of the Baskervilles’ vibe, but it didn’t pick up a big HP level in the process. At just 75, it’s touch and go whether it would last long against the other best Dog Pokemon in this list.
Mega Houndoom
- Type: Dark/Fire
- Weight: 50kg
- Generation: 6
If you're lucky enough to obtain a houndoominite, then you'll witness this bad-ass dog become even cooler, featuring even bigger protective bones, bigger horns and a larger stance. This is one way to scare your opponents, that's for sure!
Poochyena
- Type: Dark
- Weight: 14kg
- Evolves: Level 18
- Generation: 3
I have a love/hate relationship with this dog, as it's the one that keeps wanting to battle me in the wild while I am trying to venture around Hoenn. But although it's annoying, it's got some pretty good starter stats for you to take advantage of early in the game, and has a pretty mean look if you want to make an aggressive-looking team!
Mightyena
- Type: Dark
- Weight: 37kg
- Generation: 3
More gothic dogs? Yep. This one takes inspiration from hyenas, dogs and, perhaps, beavers, but don't quote me on that. This aggressive-looking dog has a dark black mane, long claws, sharp ears, and black markings on the face, similar to Houndoom but less, helly!
Electrike
- Type: Electric
- Weight: 15kg
- Evolves: Level 26
- Generation: 3
Electrike is an incredibly fast Pokémon with Electric-type moves on a sharp body with a head crest that can be used to bash Pokémon out of the way. With dog-like attributes such as a tail, sharp teeth and a strong nose for sniffing out enemies, it's a great addition to any dog-focused team.
Manectric
- Type: Electric
- Weight: 40kg
- Evolve: Using Manectite
- Generation: 3
Manectric looks like a brutal opponent, but looks can be deceiving. It’s HP of 70 won’t last very long in fierce battles, especially with a defence of 60. Luckily, this overcharged mutt has both a speed stat and special attack stat of 105, meaning if you’re competing against a Slowpoke (metaphorically or an actual Slowpoke), then you should be able to get in first with a devastating attack.
Evolving from Electrike at Level 26, it can eventually learn epic moves like Thunder, Electric Terrain, and Wild Charge, all of which I don’t want to be on the receiving end of!
Mega Manectric
- Type: Electric
- Weight: 50kg
- Generation: 6
Look at this thing, it's a literal thunderbolt with four legs, eyes, jaws and claws, what's not to love about it? Evolved using a Menctite this Manectric is seriously quick, has powerful Electric moves and is sharper than a knife, ready to use its swiftness with power and style.
Riolu
- Type: Fighting
- Weight: 20kg
- Evolves: With high friendship during the day.
- Generation: 4
Now, I would technically not class Riolu or even Lucario as a dog-type, but after reading many Pokémon forums and gathering community opinions, many would think otherwise, and would actually class it as a dog, so it's in this for that reason.
Riolu is an adorable little dog that stands on two... paws? Using its top paws for fighting... and hard at that, thanks to its strength and speed.
Lucario
- Type: Fighting/Steel
- Weight: 54kg
- Evolves: Using Lucarionite & Lucarionite Z
- Generation: 4
Lucario is an incredibly popular Pokémon in modern games, due to its strength, skills and high screen time in the TV shows and movies. This dog-like Pokémon takes his fighting stance to a new level, with spikes on his paws, longer ears and a more agile body type for baeting its opponents to the mark.
Mega Lucario & Mega Lucario Z
- Type: Fighting/Steel
- Weight: 58kg (Mega Lucario) and 49kg (Mega Lucario Z)
- Generation: 6
In Generation 6, Lucario gets the ability to use a Lucarionite that offers two variations of evolution, focusing on speed, strength and fighting styles, in order to offer Pokémon trainers slightly different moves for their team.
Their designs get more aggressive too, taking more focus on steel in areas of attack and defence such as fists, feet and chest.
Lillipup
- Type: Normal
- Weight: 4kg
- Evolves: Level 16
- Generation: 5
One of the cutest dog Pokémon has to be Lillipup, a small, light Pokémon with lots of fur on its face which can be used to scan surroundings using radar, almost like whiskers but more accurate, allowing it to withstand attacks well.
Herdier
- Type: Normal
- Weight: 15kg
- Evolves: Level 32
- Generation: 5
Just like its prevolution, Herdier takes the radar to a whole new level, with larger facial hair, bigger ears, and more fur on the back to protect itself in battle. This one takes inspiration from the Yorkshire Terrier!
Stoutland
- Type: Normal
- Weight: 61kg
- Generation: 5
The final evolution of Lillipup is Stoutland, a larger dog that also takes inspiration from the Yorkshire Terrier, this time with exaggerator features such as a long moustache, a furry underbelly and strong normal type stats that make it a great rescue Pokémon, which has been showcased in many Pokémon games in the past.
Furfrou
- Type: Normal
- Weight: 28kg
- Generation: 6
Although Furfrou is a normal type Pokémon, it's far from normal. It can actually get its hair trimmed in 9 different ways, to not only give it a unique appearance but to also offer a different form with slightly different stats, enablign you to truly confuse your opponents when its pulled out. It's the only dog-type Pokémon to do this, how cool! It takes inspiration from the Poodle.
Rockruff
- Type: Rock
- Weight: 9kg
- Evolves: Level 25 (Can evolve into different forms depending on time of day)
- Generation: 7
This rock type dog Pokémon is another adorable one, featuring hard feet, a great sense of smell and a unique evolving ability that is the first of its kind for dog Pokémon. It previously lived with humans in ancient times, and is an incredibly good begginer Pokémon due to its loyalty and ease of levelling up, though once evolved it can be a cumbersome one to handle, so many don't evolve it.
Lycanroc
- Type: Rock
- Weight: 9kg
- Generation: 7
Lycanroc can evolve into three different forms depending on the time of day it evolves. For example, if you evolve it in the day it will be the "Midday Form", evolve it in the evening and it will be the "Midnight Form", evolve it in the morning and it will be the "Dusk Form", each featuring unique designs and stats.
Yamper
- Type: Electric
- Weight: 14kg
- Evolves: Level 25
- Generation: 8
My favourite Pokémon on the list is Yamper, based on the Welsh Corgi if features a small body, a large chest, big ears and a bouncy booty with a little electric bolt tail sticking out. It's not powerful in retrospect but it makes for an adorable addition to any team and is the first Corgi-focused Pokémon ever made.
Boltund
- Type: Electric
- Weight: 34kg
- Generation: 8
If you're crazy enough to evolve your Yamper at level 25 you will be greeted with Boltund, a completely different type of dog, which... i'll admit is a little odd, must evolutions keep their type of dog but this one, is not the case, and has a complete change of body type too, going from chunky and fluff, to lean and thin. That evolution really took it out of Yamper!
Fidough
- Type: Fairy
- Weight: 11kg
- Evolves: Level 26
- Generation: 9
Want to eat your Pokémon? No, me neither but if one Pokémon was going to tempt you its this adorable ball of dough known as Fidough, a fairy type Pokémon designed to look like a sweet treat.
Dachsbun
- Type: Fairy
- Weight: 15kg
- Generation: 9
If you were hoping the evolution of Fidough would take away that temptation you would be wrong, if anything, it makes it even more declious, thanks to the sausage dog inspiration, extra dough and brown, toasty colours, this fairy type is for those obsessed with the breed!
Maschiff
- Type: Dark
- Weight: 16kg
- Evolves: Level 30
- Generation: 9
Maschiff is a large, timid dog Pokémon based off the Mastiff, hence its name. And although timid it has layer of thick fur and fat that can protect itself from special attacks, and although it takes a while to evolve its completely worth it.
Mabosstiff
- Type: Dark
- Weight: 61kg
- Generation: 9
Mabosstiff, just look at home, the most loyal dog Pokémon of them all waiting for a dear friend to spend the rest of his life with. With great defence stats, a whole lot of weight and some serious power its a big dog with a big punch. You want it, he wants you. Happily ever after.
Pombon
- Type: Fire
- Weight: 7kg
- Evolves: N/A
- Generation: 10
PomBon was announced in the Pokémon Winds and Waves trailer and dog fans have gone mad for it, and rightly so as it takes inspiration from the tiny little dog breed that is a Pomeranian. It's the fire-type starter Pokémon in generation 10.
