We love dog Pokémon here at Pocket Tactics. From the small and adorable to the Pokémon universe’s massive mutts, we’ve picked out our favorite canines to catch on your journey and take with you all the way to the Elite Four. All you need to do is decide which is the pup for you.
For even more great guides to the world of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, read our articles covering Pokémon Scarlet and Violet gym leaders, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet tera raid battles, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet co-op, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Terastal Pokémon. Or, if you’re looking for more monster-taming adventures, see our list of the best free Pokémon games.
Here are the best dog Pokémon:
Yamper
Arriving in the eighth generation of Pokémon, Yamper is an adorable little corgi with thunderous attacking prowess. With its tiny lil’ legs, lightning-bolt tail, and a tongue that hangs out of its mouth, we love the design of this dog Pokémon, and we’d do anything to protect it from danger.
Yamper evolves into Boltund, who is based on a greyhound, but we just love his original form so much. It’s got that classic corgi cushion, and it’s a great little friend to find early on in the region of Galar. Its evolution, Boltund, has access to the move nuzzle, which you can use to deal a little damage while paralyzing your opponent. It’s a very useful Pokémon for catching shinies and legendaries.
Snubbull
We want justice for Snubbull. This pink little fairy-type is an ugly Pokémon and that’s exactly why I love it. It’s meant to look like a bulldog, and just like them, we adore them for all their flaws and think they’re much cuter than they might come across at first.
It also has a bizarre voice in the anime that only enamored me even more. Why didn’t the bulldog Pokémon appear in the Britain-based Galar? Who knows, but Game Freak? You messed up.
Lycanroc
Possibly more of a wolf than a dog, Lycanroc is based on a werewolf, and with its two different forms, it sports two great different styles and rocks them both. While its pre-evolution Rockruff is also adorable, Lycanroc is one of those rare appearances where the evolution of a Pokémon is somehow even cuter than the original.
You can find Lycanroc in Pokémon Sun & Moon, with the forms of Lycanroc reflecting the dichotomy of night and day between the two games. It’s been a common fixture since, too, appearing in almost all the main series games since its introduction. There’s a seriously good boy.
Fidough
We’ve only had Fidough for a couple of generations, but this yeasty boy has already risen (sorry) up the ranks and is being held highly among the Pokémon community as one of the best dog Pokémon. Evolving into the similarly adorable Dachsbun, this pair of pups pack quite a punch with some potent fairy attacks.
As much as we love Fidough, we have to address the elephant in the room. It would seem that Fidough is edible, considering it’s made of dough. Of course, if you’re so inclined, you could make the argument that all Pokémon are edible. However, none look quite as tasty as this little pastry pooch.
Zorua
The illusion Pokémon, Zorua, and its evolution Zoroark, have the very rare ability to copy the appearance of another Pokémon in your party, potentially goading your opponent into performing a move that won’t be very effective against the elusive dark-type.
It’s adorable in any form, but we especially love the Hisuian forms of these two, sporting an ethereal white and red wispy look that adds a slightly terrifying edge to these already spooky pooches.
