Stats & Training
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.
A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
A Pokémon with a loyal nature. It will remain motionless until it is given an order by its Trainer.
Growlithe Weakness
Type-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.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel |
- Fairy type does not exist — Dragon has fewer checks
- Physical / Special split now per-move (introduced Gen IV)
 Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Lunatone builds →Rock Tomb 2x60-71% Rock Throw 2x52-62% | ||
 Solrock RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Solrock builds →Rock Tomb 2x89-105%KO Rock Throw 2x76-90% | ||
 Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Water Pulse 2x60-71% Water Gun 2x40-48% Rollout 2x29-35% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Rock Tomb 2x56-67% Rock Throw 2x48-57% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Water Pulse 2x59-70% Water Gun 2x40-48% Rollout 2x30-37% | ||
 Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x155-183%KO Rock Slide 2x117-139%KO Rock Tomb 2x96-113%KO Rock Throw 2x80-95% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x93-110%KO Rock Slide 2x71-84% Rock Tomb 2x55-66% Rock Throw 2x49-59% | ||
 Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x65-77% Brine 2x93-110%KO Water Pulse 2x83-99% Rock Tomb 2x52-62% | ||
 Kabuto RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Kabuto builds →Rock Slide 2x102-121%KO Rock Tomb 2x83-99% Water Pulse 2x59-70% Mud Shot 2x37-44% | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x143-168%KO Dig 2x115-135%KO Rock Slide 2x72-85% Mud Bomb 2x71-84% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x155-183%KO Dig 2x124-146%KO Rock Slide 2x117-139%KO Rock Tomb 2x96-113%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x93-110%KO Dig 2x74-88% Rock Slide 2x71-84% Rock Tomb 2x55-66% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x65-77% Brine 2x93-110%KO Water Pulse 2x83-99% Rock Tomb 2x52-62% | ||
 Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Lileep builds →Rock Slide 2x65-77% Rock Tomb 2x52-62% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x141-166%KO Dig 2x114-134%KO Rock Slide 2x71-83% Mud Bomb 2x69-81% | ||
Graveler RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Graveler builds →Earthquake 2x153-181%KO Dig 2x122-144%KO Rock Slide 2x117-138%KO Rock Tomb 2x93-109%KO | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Earthquake 2x90-106%KO Dig 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x69-81% Rock Tomb 2x55-66% | ||
Omanyte RockWater | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Omanyte builds →Rock Slide 2x64-75% Brine 2x90-106%KO Water Pulse 2x82-97% Rock Tomb 2x50-59% | ||
Lileep RockGrass | D | |
Obtain MethodOreburgh City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Lileep builds →Rock Slide 2x64-75% Rock Tomb 2x53-63% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x126-149%KO Dig 2x72-85% Brine 2x91-108%KO Water Pulse 2x86-102%KO | ||
 Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Surf 2x116-137%KO Dig 2x87-103%KO Brine 2x83-99% Rock Tomb 2x66-78% | ||
 Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x133-157%KO Surf 2x123-146%KO Dig 2x109-128%KO Rock Slide 2x67-80% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Surf 2x93-111%KO Dig 2x111-131%KO Rock Slide 2x69-82% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Surf 2x83-99% Dig 2x74-87% Water Pulse 2x56-67% Water Gun 2x39-47% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x123-146%KO Dig 2x71-85% Brine 2x89-105%KO Water Pulse 2x82-97% | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Surf 2x114-135%KO Dig 2x86-103%KO Brine 2x82-97% Rock Tomb 2x66-77% | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x132-157%KO Muddy Water 2x122-143%KO Surf 2x122-143%KO Dig 2x107-127%KO | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x138-162%KO Surf 2x92-108%KO Dig 2x110-130%KO Rock Slide 2x68-81% | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Surf 2x82-97% Dig 2x73-86% Water Pulse 2x57-68% Water Gun 2x39-46% | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Obtain MethodCelestic Town Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Surf 2x130-154%KO Dig 2x73-86% Waterfall 2x110-130%KO Brine 2x95-113%KO | ||
Floatzel Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Floatzel builds →Surf 2x118-139%KO Waterfall 2x134-158%KO Dig 2x90-106%KO Brine 2x87-103%KO | ||
Gastrodon WaterGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gastrodon builds →Earthquake 2x138-163%KO Muddy Water 2x126-149%KO Surf 2x126-149%KO Waterfall 2x110-130%KO | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | C | |
Obtain MethodGreat Marsh Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Earthquake 2x140-166%KO Surf 2x98-115%KO Dig 2x112-132%KO Waterfall 2x112-132%KO | ||
Bibarel NormalWater | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Bibarel builds →Surf 2x86-101%KO Waterfall 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x74-88% Water Pulse 2x58-70% | ||
In Diamond & Pearl, Empoleon can KO Growlithe with Hydro Pump (245-288%). Gliscor threatens a KO with Earthquake (155-183%). Aerodactyl's Stone Edge also KOs at 211-249%.
 Empoleon WaterSteel | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityTorrent ItemFocus Sash NatureModest Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Empoleon builds →Ice Beam33-39% Hydro Pump 2x245-288%KO Aqua Jet 2x52-61% | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityHypercutter ItemLeftovers NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x155-183%KO Ice Fang17-20% | ||
Aerodactyl Rock | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPressure ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Aerodactyl builds →Earthquake 2x141-166%KO Stone Edge 2x211-249%KO | ||
Diamond & Pearl Evolution
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. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.
How to Evolve
Breeding
Breed Growlithe easily with 131 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Crunch, Double-Edge and 6 more to offspring.
Diamond & Pearl Growlithe Best Moveset
Best Build
No build content available for this Pokemon in Gen 4.
Try selecting a different game/generation filter, or check back later.
Moves
The egg pool carries weight here. Body Slam and Crunch 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
Diamond & Pearl Growlithe Locations
moderate rates is the best you'll get on Growlithe in early-game routes. Use the sort toggle below. Best shows where the odds peak, Earliest shows where you can access it soonest in your playthrough.
Best Locations to Catch Growlithe in Diamond & Pearl
You can catch Growlithe through 4 walking encounters from Lv. 2+, but availability differs between Diamond and Pearl. Some spots are exclusive to one version.
Growlithe Guide
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.
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 a mixed attacker with base 70 Attack and 70 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
For Diamond & Pearl, you can run Growlithe through the first few routes without issues. 350 BST won't carry you far though. Get it to Arcanine as fast as you can.
Game Availability
Since debuting in Red & Blue, Growlithe has appeared in 21 titles over 10 generations. Along the way, it received a Hisuian form in Generation 8, keeping it relevant across different competitive metas.
Click a game to view version-specific details
- Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves