Is Growlithe Good in Gold & Silver Playthrough?
Gold version only, Route 36 and 37. Fire-types are rare in Gold and Silver, so Growlithe fills a real need. Fire Stone into Arcanine gives you one of the strongest Pokemon available if you didn't pick Cyndaquil. The catch: Fire Stones are also scarce.
Growlithe has the type edge here and should clean up Falkner's team.
Growlithe has the type edge here and should clean up Bugsy's team.
Growlithe trades roughly evenly with Whitney's team.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Morty's team.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Chuck's team.
Arcanine resists most of Jasmine's coverage and hits back hard.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Pryce's team.
Clair's team hits Arcanine's weaknesses hard.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Lt. Surge's team.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Sabrina's team.
Arcanine resists most of Erika's coverage and hits back hard.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Janine's team.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Misty's team.
Brock's team hits Arcanine's weaknesses hard.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Blaine's team.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Blue's team.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Will's team.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.
Arcanine trades roughly evenly with Bruno's team.
Arcanine has the type edge here and should clean up Karen's team.
Catch Growlithe on Route 36 (walking, Lv 13, uncommon).
- STARTING (Lv 13)
- LV 13DarkBite60100%25
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- TM28GroundDig80100%10
- LV 26NormalTake Down9085%20
- LV 34FireFlame Wheel90100%25
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- LV 50FireFlamethrower135100%15
You can usually obtain this item before you reach Morty.
- STARTING (Lv 20)
- LV 20FireFlame Wheel90100%25
- LV 20NormalTake Down9085%20
- After Falkner
- TM02NormalHeadbutt70100%15
- After Bugsy
- TM38FireFire Blast16585%5
- TM28GroundDig80100%10
- After Jasmine
- TM23SteelIron Tail10075%15
- After Clair
- TM24DragonDragon Breath60100%20
- LV 50NormalExtreme Speed80100%5
How to Get Growlithe in Gold & Silver
Growlithe's scattered across 7 spots in early-game routes with decent spawn rates. Check the list below for the closest location to wherever you are in the game. This one's quick.
Where To Catch Growlithe in GS
Growlithe is your first catch on the way to Growlithe. You'll find walking encounters from Lv. 13-18 across 7 total spots in the chain.
Step 1Growlithe ✓Route 37Lv.14-16GrassGoldRate 15%DayRoute 36Lv.13GrassGoldRate 10%Route 37Lv.14GrassGoldRate 10%Morning/nightRoute 7Lv.18GrassGoldRate 25%DayRoute 7Lv.18GrassGoldRate 15%Morning/nightRoute 8Lv.18GrassGoldRate 10%Morning/dayRoute 8Lv.18GrassGoldRate 5%Night
Step 2Evolve into ArcanineBREEDINGAvailableLeave a compatible parent at the Goldenrod Pokemon Day Care to receive a Arcanine egg.
Growlithe Weakness
Type-wise, Growlithe takes extra damage from Water, Ground, and Rock. 5 resistances help offset the weaknesses. Standard number of weaknesses for the Fire typing.
| Damage | Types |
|---|---|
| 2x (Weak) | Water, Ground, Rock |
| 0.5x (Resist) | Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel |
- Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
- Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move
- Special stat split into Sp.Atk and Sp.Def
What is Growlithe Weak Against
AvgBest Pokemon Against Growlithe
 Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Geodude builds →Rock Throw 2x69-81% Mud-Slap 2x31-38% | ||
 Slowpoke WaterPsychic | C | |
Obtain MethodSlowpoke Well Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Slowpoke builds →Water Gun 2x35-44% Mud-Slap 2x21-25% | ||
 Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Rock Throw 2x52-63% Mud-Slap 2x25-31% | ||
 Totodile Water | C | |
Obtain MethodNew Bark Town Gift Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Totodile builds →Water Gun 2x42-50% Mud-Slap 2x21-25% | ||
 Sandshrew Ground | C | |
 Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
 Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Water Gun 2x48-57% Mud-Slap 2x34-41% | ||
Geodude RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Geodude builds →Rock Throw 2x69-83% Mud-Slap 2x29-36% | ||
 Croconaw Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Croconaw builds →Water Gun 2x43-52% Mud-Slap 2x19-24% | ||
Onix RockGround | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Onix builds →Rock Throw 2x52-62% Mud-Slap 2x26-31% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Surf 2x99-116%KO Dig 2x84-99% Rollout 2x30-36% | ||
Croconaw Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Croconaw builds →Surf 2x94-112%KO Dig 2x52-63% | ||
 Sandslash Ground | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sandslash builds →Dig 2x94-112%KO Rollout 2x33-39% | ||
 Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Throw 2x79-94% Dig 2x63-75% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
 Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x118-139%KO Dig 2x67-79% | ||
 Azumarill Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x96-114%KO Rollout 2x21-26% Mud-Slap 2x15-19% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x121-143%KO Dig 2x64-76% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Surf 2x100-118%KO Dig 2x85-100%KO Rollout 2x30-36% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x114-134%KO Dig 2x66-78% | ||
Azumarill Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x93-110%KO Rollout 2x20-23% Mud-Slap 2x13-16% | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x117-138%KO Dig 2x62-74% | ||
Quagsire WaterGround | B | |
Obtain MethodRoute 32 Surfing Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Quagsire builds →Surf 2x99-117%KO Dig 2x82-97% Rollout 2x29-34% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x114-134%KO Dig 2x66-78% | ||
Azumarill Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x93-110%KO Rollout 2x20-23% Mud-Slap 2x13-16% | ||
 Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x117-138%KO Dig 2x62-74% | ||
Lapras WaterIce | C | |
Obtain MethodUnion Cave Interact Encounter | ||
Feraligatr Water | C | |
Obtain MethodEvolve Totodile (New Bark Town Gift) Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Feraligatr builds →Surf 2x114-134%KO Dig 2x66-78% | ||
Azumarill Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x93-110%KO Rollout 2x20-23% Mud-Slap 2x13-16% | ||
Gyarados Water | B | |
Obtain MethodLake Of Rage Good Rod | ||
Sudowoodo Rock | C | |
Obtain MethodRoute 36 Interact Encounter Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Sudowoodo builds →Rock Slide 2x117-138%KO Dig 2x62-74% | ||
 Marowak Ground | B | |
 Rhydon GroundRock | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Rhydon builds →Earthquake 2x203-239%KO Rollout 2x63-74% Surf 2x51-61% | ||
 Suicune Water | B | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Suicune builds →Surf 2x131-155%KO Dig 2x51-61% | ||
 Tyranitar RockDark | S | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Tyranitar builds →Rock Slide 2x157-185%KO Earthquake 2x139-164%KO Surf 2x92-108%KO | ||
Azumarill Water | C | |
Available Moves Moves
Damage vs Growlithe View Azumarill builds →Surf 2x96-113%KO Rollout 2x20-24% Mud-Slap 2x13-16% | ||
Growlithe Evolutions
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
GS Growlithe Best Moveset
Fire pre-evolution where the stats can't support MoveFire Blast at competitive power. Arcanine's jump to the upper tiers happens after evolving.
Best Build
Utility Moveset
- Crunch
- Agility
- Body Slam
- Curse
Recommended Teammates
Moves List
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 Fire Blast and Flamethrower for solid options.
How to Read the Moves Table
Tabs
- Level-Up
- Learned by leveling up.
- TM
- Taught by a Technical Machine.
- Egg
- Inherited via breeding.
- Tutor
- NPC tutor (cost: items, BP, money).
- Reminder
- An NPC reteaches any move this Pokemon could have learned by leveling up.
- Transfer
- Carried over from an older game using Pokemon HOME.
- Event
- Given out through Mystery Gift events.
Visual Signals
CAT (Category)
How the move deals damage and which stats it uses.
A small dot on the icon's corner marks the move as contact. That triggers abilities like Static, Flame Body, Rough Skin, or Iron Barbs, plus items like Rocky Helmet and Sticky Barb.
Tier (S to D)
Each move's competitive rank in RankedBoost's system. TM, Egg, and Tutor sort by tier by default (best first). On Level-Up, click the Tier header to do the same.
PWR (Power)
Base damage. Numbers shown in a type color include STAB (base × 1.5). Hover any colored number to see the math.
— means no power (status moves) or variable power.
Sorting & Filter
Click any column header to sort. Level-Up opens with Lv 1 at the top. TM, Egg, and Tutor open with the highest-tier moves at the top.
Search filters by move name or type. The Filter button limits the list to STAB, Physical, Special, or Status moves.
Level-Up Moves
TM Moves
Egg Moves
Tutor Moves
Base Stats
It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.
Extremely loyal, it will fearlessly bark at any opponent to protect its own trainer from harm.
Growlithe Gold & Silver 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.
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 Gold & Silver, 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.
For Gold & Silver, the core moveset is Crunch, Agility, Body Slam, and Curse. Crunch leads at 0% usage. Agility lets it set up before sweeping.
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 1RBDebut
Red & Blue - Gen 1Y
Yellow - Gen 2GS
Gold & Silver - Gen 2C
Crystal - Gen 3RS
Ruby & Sapphire - Gen 3E
Emerald - Gen 3FRLG
FireRed & LeafGreen - Gen 4DP
Diamond & Pearl - Gen 4Pt
Platinum - Gen 4HGSS
HeartGold & SoulSilver - Gen 5BW
Black & White - Gen 5B2W2
Black 2 & White 2 - Gen 6XY
X & Y - Gen 6ORAS
Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire - Gen 7SM
Sun & Moon - Gen 7USUM
Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon - Gen 7LGPE
Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee - Gen 8SwSh
Sword & Shield - Gen 8BDSP
Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl - Gen 8PLAHisuian
Legends: Arceus - Gen 9SV
Scarlet & Violet - Gen 9LZA
Legends: Z-A - Gen 10WW
Winds & Waves