Dogs seem to be just as popular in the world of Pokemon as they are in real life. There are all sorts of different kinds of Pokemon trainers can catch throughout their journeys, and a fair amount of them share some sort of physical similarities to canines.
There are so many canine-like Pokemon available that trainers could very easily make up entire parties of them. These Pokemon can be anything, ranging from Fire to Electric, to Fairy-types. With each of them having their own unique and discernible design, every dog-like Pokemon brings something different to the table. These Pokemon make strong cases for consideration among the best of the bunch.
10 Yamper
One of the newer additions to the Pokemon universe, Yamper has one of the most discernible designs of any Galarian Pokemon. Fans of the games should recognize it as the little Pokemon that accompanied Sonia throughout her adventures.
Yamper’s design is based on that of a Welsh Corgi. The two share a similar body shape, though Yamper is a little rounder than its real-world counterpart. Welsh Corgis are often associated with Elizabeth II, so it makes sense that it would be chosen when coming up with Pokemon for the Galar region.
9 Zoroark
Zoroark was first introduced by Junichi Masuda back in February 2010, as a teaser for the Gen V games. Fans got a sneak peek of it alongside its pre-evolved form, Zorua during the event and could tell right away that there was something canine about these new Pokemon.
Zoroark’s concept and design could have been partially inspired by the kitsune, a type of paranormal fox found in Japanese folklore. Its categorization as the “Illusion Pokemon” further pushes that connection, as kitsune are said to be mischievous tricksters.
8 Ninetales
Ninetails is another Pokemon that could have been inspired by the Japanese kitsune, as the two share various physical and mythological traits. The iconic Gen I Fire-type might be based on a specific kind of kitsune, the kyubi no kitsune or nine-tailed fox. That certainly lines up with Ninetails’ name and design.
Alolan Ninetails’ design, though very similar to the original, looks to have taken influence from other real-world sources. Its white fur coat is similar to the Arctic fox, and its dex entries seem to allude to the designers taking inspiration from the Hawaiian deity Poliʻahu.
7 Lycanroc
Lycanroc has three unique forms trainers can make use of; Midday, Midnight, and Dusk. Each one has its own disenable qualities that allow them to stand out from the other. The one consistent aspect of each design is the heavy resemblance to a wolf.
Lycanroc’s Dusk and Midday forms look similar to Japanese and Hokkaido wolves. Both species are now extinct but were said to be similar to the grey wolf. Lycanroc’s Midnight variant bears a striking resemblance to a werewolf, and the mythology behind it seems to fit the conditions needed to attain this evolution.
6 Mightyena
Mightyena’s name seems to give away what it was inspired by fairly quickly. The Gen III Dark-type seems like a cross between a wolf and hyena, sporting an aggressive temperament to go alongside its menacing features.
Mightyena’s shiny variant trades in its grey and black fur for brown and gold. The spotted hyena has a similar look, save for the distinct spots that give it its namesake. With all that in mind, the hyena likely served as a great source of inspiration for the designer who put this Pokemon together.
5 Umbreon
Eevee has always been a somewhat ambiguous Pokemon from a design standpoint. It shares some traits with cats and others with dogs, coming together somewhere in the middle of the two. The same can be said about its Eeveelutions.
Umbreon’s design is probably an amalgamation of various cat and dog-like traits. It seems to resemble a black cat in some aspects, though it could very well be based on the mystical black dog from British folklore as well.
4 Houndoom
The various white bands and skull-shaped pendant that cover Houndoom’s body make it one of the more memorable canine Pokemon out there. Mega Houndoom expands upon these features in an over-the-top way, giving the Gen II Dark/Fire-type much more prominent horns and a massive bone-like mane resembling its skull-shaped pendant.
These imposing features seem to take inspiration from various mythical hounds, with hellhounds and black dogs seeming the most likely. This perfectly fits Houndoom’s demeanor, as it has always been an imposing Pokemon to face in battle.
3 Arcanine
One of the first few canine Pokemon, Arcanine is one of the more interesting Pokemon of its generation due to some of the factors surrounding its development. The distinguishable Fire-type is categorized as the “Legendary” Pokemon despite not being one of its generation’s legendaries.
In the Pokemon anime, an engraving featuring Arcanine and Kanto’s Legendary Birds can be seen in the episode, “Pokémon Emergency”, though it is never expanded upon throughout the remainder of the series. Arcanine could have very well been intended to be a legendary Pokemon early on in development. Its design is reminiscent of the Japanese Komainu and the Chinese Shisa, guardian dogs that repel evil spirits.
2 Lucario
Lucario has a lot of interesting things going on, both visually and behind the scenes. As the first Gen IV Pokemon introduced to the public, Lucario’s design has stuck with fans over the years.
Lucario’s design is reminiscent of the Egyptian God of Death, Anubis. The two share facial characteristics and both have a connection to some aspect of the afterlife. Lucario has become one of the most popular Pokemon around, placing second in The Pokemon Company’s 2020 popularity poll.
1 Zacian & Zamazenta
Zacian & Zamazenta are some of Galar’s most intriguing Pokemon. The two legendaries make up Galar’s Hero Duo, and it seems like the developers put a lot of thought into crafting their designs.
Both Pokemon resemble a wolf, an animal that has a unique connection to England dating back to the Middle Ages. Zacian & Zamazenta both seem to draw inspiration from various aspects of Arthurian Legend as well, with Zacian being a possible reference to Excalibur and Zamazenta a possible reference to his shield, Wynebgwrthucher.