Guard Dog
Growlithe and Arcanine

Name Meanings

Game Boy Games: Red/Blue/Yellow

In Red and Blue, there is only one place to find Growlithes, and that is the Red pack. They are found in the Cinnabar Mansion. Growlithes are found from about level 32-35. This means they all have Roar, Ember, Leer, and Take down. (Bite would be there, but there is no Growlithe that is under level 32 when found.) Growlithes don't learn another Fire move other than Flamethrower. Takedown is a nice move, but it causes a loss of HP a quarter of what is hit, so it's not the best move. Growlithes, like their Vulpix companion, can only evolve to Arcanines using a Fire stone.

I said it before and I'll say it again. A Growlithe that is evolved before learning Flamethrower is a bad move. Arcanine doesn't learn anything else after evolution. so you do it early and you will screw up your poor puppy and waste a Fire Stone. Arcanine and Ninetales are almost equal fighters, hence why Growlithe is on one pack and Vulpix on another.

In Yellow, Growlithe is in the same place as in Red--the Cinnabar Mansion. However, they are only on the first floor, and somewhat rare. Expect a lot of nasty Rattata and Grimer before a Growlithe shows up. (Have I mentioned I despise Rattata? Fucking rats.)

Game Boy Games: Gold/Silver/Crystal

Growlithe are on Gold and Crystal (but not Silver) and in the same place you find Vulpix--Route 8, 36 and 37. They learn the new move Fire Wheel and start with Bite (which is now a Dark move!). And, of course, a Fire stone will produce a Arcanine. But you only get one--when you show Bill's Grandpa a Growlithe if you have Gold (or a Vulpix if you have Silver). So if you want everything that uses a Fire Stone, you'll have to trade back to R/B/Y-and with no new moves from Gold and Silver. That, or use Crystal and hope Alan calls you often. Milk the brat for Fire Stones! Milk, I say! Oh, and breed a baby one--Bite kicks much ass.

Game Boy Advance: Ruby/Sapphire/Colosseum/Fire Red/Leaf Green

Again, no Growlithe in the Ruby/Sapphire. Le tear.

Ah, but they are in Fire Red. Not Leaf Green. Yay, separation. =P They're pretty rare, only on Route 7, 8, and the Mansion. And finally, some good Fire moves. To get Arcanines, you know what to do. Fire Stone, yo. If you want Extreme Speed, evolve before level 49. Growlithes and Arcanines get one of two abilities: Flash Fire, which both ups Fire Attacks and means that fire moves do no damage whatsoever, and Intimidate, which means that when they come out the opponent falls all over himself and loses Attack power in the process.

Opinionations

Growlithe and Arcanine are two Pokémon who just don't get enough play. They're very powerful, and as good as other Fire Pokémon. Vulpix is my favorite, but if I could bring only one Pokémon to life, it would be an Arcanine. Nothing tops the sheer power of a six foot tall tiger-dog. Le purr.