Growlithe sits at the start of its evolution line — not yet at full power, but that changes fast. Most trainers push through to Arcanine as fast as possible. Only weak to Water, Ground, and Rock. Known as the Puppy Pokemon.
The stat budget goes to damage. Attack and Sp. Atk carry the offense, Defense doesn't even come close. A Puppy Pokemon on a slow 1.25M XP grind, worth 1 Attack EV per KO.
Extremely loyal to its Trainer, it will bark at those who approach the Trainer unexpectedly and run them out of town.
Growlithe Weakness
AvgType-wise, Growlithe takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Flash Fire grants an additional Fire immunity, reshaping the matchup chart.
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
Growlithe doesn't evolve by leveling. You'll need an evolution item to push it forward to Arcanine. Evolving adds up to 205 stat points total.
How to Evolve
Breed Growlithe easily from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Close Combat, Covet and 10 more to offspring.
Don't let the NFE status fool you. Growlithe with Eviolite hits bulk numbers that compete with final forms. Max HP and Defense EVs and Bold nature maximize that, and Intimidate handles the rest.
Best Build
Best Growlithe Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Will O Wisp
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Close Combat aren't available any other way for Growlithe, and they meaningfully change what it threatens. Stack those on top of Overheat and Flare Blitz for solid options.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Transfer Moves
4 encounter spots for Growlithe at decent spawn rates starting from early-game routes. Best and Earliest sort options below help narrow down your approach based on odds vs. Accessibility.
Best Locations
4 spots to find Growlithe at Lv. 11-14 via walking. Not all of them exist in both Black 2 and White 2 versions, so filter by your copy below.
Growlithe is meant to evolve into Arcanine. At 350 BST, the stats aren't there for competitive play yet. Pre-evolution Pokemon rarely hold up against fully evolved threats.
Growlithe can evolve into Arcanine and Hisuian Arcanine depending on the method. Growlithe is the base form in a 3-stage evolutionary line.
Intimidate is what you want on Growlithe. Every competitive set worth running is built with that ability in mind. The alternatives (Flash Fire, Justified) work on paper but Intimidate is what makes Growlithe worth using.
At base 60 Speed, it won't be moving first often. On offense, Growlithe is leaning toward the physical side (base 70 Attack). Defensively? Fragile — can't afford to take many hits.
Growlithe appears in 21 games, including Yellow, Red & Blue, and Gold & Silver.
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Growlithe has appeared in 21 titles over 9 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
- Gen IY
Yellow - Gen IRBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen IIGS
Gold & Silver - Gen IIC
Crystal - Gen IIIRS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen IIIFRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen IIIE
Emerald - Gen IVPt
Platinum - Gen IVHGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen IVDP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen VBW
Black & White - Gen VB2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen VIXY
X & Y - Gen VIORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen VIIUSUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen VIISM
Sun & Moon - Gen VIILGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen VIIISwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen VIIIPLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen VIIIBDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen IXSV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen IXLZA
Legends: Z-A