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.
Extremely loyal to its Trainer, it will bark at those who approach the Trainer unexpectedly and run them out of town.
Extremely loyal to its Trainer, it will bark at those who approach the Trainer unexpectedly and run them out of town.
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)
 Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift | ||
 Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Psyduck builds →Water Pulse 2x69-82% Water Gun 2x45-55% | ||
Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Oshawott builds →Razor Shell 2x78-93% Water Gun 2x45-55% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x130-154%KO Rock Tomb 2x66-78% Sand Tomb 2x59-70% Rollout 2x34-41% | ||
 Krokorok GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Krokorok builds →Dig 2x111-132%KO Rock Tomb 2x55-66% Sand Tomb 2x52-62% Mud-Slap 2x21-26% | ||
 Dwebble BugRock | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Dwebble builds →Dig 2x62-73% Rock Slide 2x89-106%KO Rock Tomb 2x71-84% Smack Down 2x62-73% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Psyduck builds →Dig 2x54-63% Water Pulse 2x68-80% Water Gun 2x46-55% | ||
Oshawott Water | D | |
Obtain MethodAspertia City Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Oshawott builds →Dig 2x55-66% Razor Shell 2x80-95% Water Pulse 2x65-77% Water Gun 2x46-55% | ||
Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x125-148%KO Rock Tomb 2x63-75% Bulldoze 2x95-112%KO Sand Tomb 2x56-66% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Psyduck builds →Aqua Tail 2x87-102%KO Dig 2x52-62% Water Pulse 2x64-76% Water Gun 2x44-53% | ||
 Panpour Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Panpour builds →Scald 2x73-86% Dig 2x52-62% Brine 2x62-73% Rock Tomb 2x38-46% | ||
 Ducklett Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Ducklett builds →Bubble Beam 2x53-63% Water Pulse 2x49-59% Water Gun 2x36-43% | ||
Krokorok GroundDark | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Krokorok builds →Dig 2x109-129%KO Rock Tomb 2x54-64% Bulldoze 2x80-96% Sand Tomb 2x49-59% | ||
 Azumarill Water | C | |
Obtain MethodFloccesy Ranch Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Aqua Tail 2x83-99% Surf 2x88-105%KO Dig 2x50-60% Bubble Beam 2x64-76% | ||
 Boldore Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Boldore builds →Power Gem 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x123-146%KO Rock Tomb 2x99-117%KO Bulldoze 2x66-78% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Dig 2x71-84% Rock Slide 2x66-79% Rock Tomb 2x54-64% Bulldoze 2x54-64% | ||
 Nosepass Rock | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Nosepass builds →Power Gem 2x66-79% Rock Slide 2x66-79% Bulldoze 2x36-43% Rock Tomb 2x54-64% | ||
Psyduck Water | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Psyduck builds →Aqua Tail 2x86-102%KO Surf 2x93-111%KO Dig 2x50-60% Water Pulse 2x64-76% | ||
 Golduck Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Aqua Tail 2x122-144%KO Surf 2x130-154%KO Dive 2x110-130%KO Dig 2x73-86% | ||
 Camerupt FireGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Camerupt builds →Earthquake 2x158-187%KO Earth Power 2x140-166%KO Dig 2x128-151%KO Rock Slide 2x80-94% | ||
 Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x102-120%KO Rock Slide 2x77-91% Bulldoze 2x41-48% Rock Tomb 2x61-72% | ||
 Pelipper Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Pelipper builds →Surf 2x130-154%KO Brine 2x95-113%KO Water Pulse 2x87-103%KO Water Gun 2x58-70% | ||
 Solrock RockPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x154-182%KO Rock Slide 2x116-137%KO Bulldoze 2x62-74% Rock Tomb 2x94-110%KO | ||
 Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Obtain MethodRoute 22 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Terrakion builds →Rock Slide 2x151-178%KO Rock Tomb 2x122-143%KO Bulldoze 2x81-95% Smack Down 2x102-120%KO | ||
Golduck Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Golduck builds →Aqua Tail 2x125-148%KO Surf 2x131-155%KO Dive 2x112-132%KO Dig 2x74-88% | ||
Camerupt FireGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Camerupt builds →Earthquake 2x162-192%KO Earth Power 2x141-166%KO Dig 2x129-152%KO Rock Slide 2x81-95% | ||
Lunatone RockPsychic | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Lunatone builds →Stone Edge 2x102-120%KO Rock Slide 2x78-92% Bulldoze 2x42-49% Rock Tomb 2x62-74% | ||
Solrock RockPsychic | D | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Solrock builds →Stone Edge 2x155-182%KO Rock Slide 2x118-138%KO Bulldoze 2x62-74% Rock Tomb 2x94-111%KO | ||
In Black 2 & White 2, Terrakion's Stone Edge hits Growlithe for 79-94%. Excadrill's Earthquake hits Growlithe for 82-96%. Jellicent deals 56-66% with Scald.
Terrakion RockFighting | A | |
Recommended Build AbilityJustified ItemFocus Sash NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Terrakion builds →Close Combat48-56% Stone Edge 2x79-94% | ||
 Excadrill GroundSteel | A | |
Recommended Build AbilitySandforce ItemChoice Scarf NatureJolly Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Excadrill builds →Earthquake 2x82-96% Rapid Spin14-16% Rock Slide 2x41-48% | ||
 Jellicent WaterGhost | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityWaterabsorb ItemLeftovers NatureTimid Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Jellicent builds →Scald 2x56-66% | ||
 Gliscor Ground | B | |
Recommended Build AbilityPoisonheal ItemToxic Orb NatureImpish Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Gliscor builds →Earthquake 2x51-60% | ||
Black 2 & White 2 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 181 breeding partners from the Ground egg group. Pass egg moves like Body Slam, Close Combat, Covet and 10 more to offspring.
Black 2 & White 2 Growlithe Best Moveset
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
Growlithe best EVs are HP and Defense
Wall Moveset
- Flamethrower
- Toxic
- Will O Wisp
- Morning Sun
Recommended Teammates
Moves
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
Black 2 & White 2 Growlithe Locations
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 to Catch Growlithe in Black 2 & White 2
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 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 special attacker with base 70 Sp. Atk. Defensively? Fragile, can't afford to take many hits.
For Black 2 & White 2, 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