Growlithe Pokémon GO is a Fire-type Pokémon from the Kanto region that evolves into Arcanine using 50 Growlithe Candy. Growlithe will appear more frequently in the wild during the Pokémon GO Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers event, giving players more opportunities to find Shiny Growlithe and collect Candy.
Growlithe Pokémon GO is also one of the Pokémon that can potentially conceal Ditto when it is included in the current Ditto disguise pool. Players hunting Growlithe during Arctic Embers should therefore catch the Pokémon rather than only checking whether it is shiny.
This Growlithe Pokémon GO guide covers how to get Growlithe, Shiny Growlithe availability, its best moveset, weaknesses, evolution into Arcanine and the differences between regular Growlithe and Hisuian Growlithe.
Growlithe Pokémon GO Details
| Growlithe details | Information |
|---|---|
| Pokédex number | #0058 |
| Name | Growlithe |
| Category | Puppy Pokémon |
| Generation | Generation I |
| Original region | Kanto |
| Type | Fire |
| Evolution | Arcanine |
| Evolution cost | 50 Growlithe Candy |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Maximum CP | 1,405 |
| Best general moveset | Ember and Flamethrower |
| Buddy distance | 3 km |
| Arctic Embers method | Wild encounters |
| Regional form | Hisuian Growlithe |
Growlithe is known as the Puppy Pokémon. It is recognised for its strong sense of smell, loyalty and territorial behaviour.
How to Get Growlithe in Pokémon GO
Growlithe Pokémon GO can appear as a wild encounter whenever it is included in the current seasonal spawn pool.
Growlithe can also appear through Field Research, Timed Research, Special Research, Eggs, raids, Team GO Rocket encounters, GO Battle League rewards, event encounters and trades.
Its availability changes between seasons and events.
Growlithe receives a weather boost during sunny or clear weather because it is a pure Fire-type Pokémon. Weather-boosted Growlithe can appear at a higher level than an ordinary wild encounter.
A higher-level Growlithe may require less Candy and Stardust to prepare after evolving it into Arcanine.
Growlithe During Pokémon GO Arctic Embers
Growlithe Pokémon GO is included among the standard wild encounters during Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers.
The event begins on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and ends on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
| Arctic Embers Growlithe details | Information |
|---|---|
| Event begins | August 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. |
| Event ends | August 10, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. |
| Encounter method | Wild |
| Available throughout event | Yes |
| Shiny available | Yes |
| Increased shiny chance announced | No |
Growlithe is not part of the alternating Arctic Embers schedule.
Ponyta and Snover receive increased appearances on August 4, August 6, August 8 and August 10.
Slugma and Vanillite receive increased appearances on August 5, August 7, August 9 and August 10.
Growlithe Pokémon GO can appear throughout the full event instead of being restricted to certain dates.
Can Growlithe Be Shiny in Pokémon GO?
Yes, Growlithe can be shiny in Pokémon GO.
Normal Growlithe has an orange body with black stripes and pale fur. Shiny Growlithe changes to a brighter yellow or golden colour.
A Shiny Growlithe can evolve into Shiny Arcanine.
The shiny status remains after evolution.
Shiny Growlithe can potentially appear through any eligible method where its shiny is available, including wild encounters, Research encounters, raids, Eggs, Team GO Rocket encounters and trades.
Each eligible Growlithe Pokémon GO encounter provides another independent shiny check.
Costume Pikachu Tracker
Pokemon GO Shiny Tracker
Vivillon Tracker
Is Shiny Growlithe Boosted During Arctic Embers?
An increased Shiny Growlithe chance has not been announced for Arctic Embers.
The Pokémon specifically confirmed to receive increased shiny chances are Ponyta, Slugma, Snover and Vanillite.
Growlithe Pokémon GO is included in the general wild encounter pool, but it is not included in the confirmed boosted-shiny group.
Players will still have more opportunities to check Growlithe because it is appearing during the event. However, increased availability is not the same as an increased individual shiny rate.
How to Find Shiny Growlithe
Players hunting Shiny Growlithe should increase the total number of encounters they check.
Growlithe can be easier to find during events that feature Fire Pokémon, Kanto Pokémon or its evolutionary family.
Sunny weather may also increase the number of weather-boosted Fire Pokémon appearing nearby.
Players should use Incense while walking, visit areas with several active spawn points and check the Nearby screen for Growlithe silhouettes.
Opening a Growlithe encounter is enough to determine whether it is shiny.
However, catching it provides Growlithe Candy, Stardust and the possibility that the apparent Growlithe is actually Ditto.
Can Growlithe Be Ditto in Pokémon GO?
Growlithe has been included in the current Ditto disguise pool during 2026.
This means an ordinary-looking wild Growlithe may reveal itself as Ditto after it has been caught.
A disguised Ditto cannot be identified from the map or encounter screen.
The player must successfully catch the Growlithe and wait for the “Oh?” message.
A Shiny Growlithe will not transform into Ditto. If the Growlithe appears shiny during the encounter, it will remain a Shiny Growlithe after being caught.
Because Growlithe Pokémon GO is also an Arctic Embers spawn, catching each one can contribute to both shiny hunting and Ditto hunting. Current 2026 disguise reports include Growlithe in the active Ditto pool.
Growlithe Pokémon GO Evolution
Growlithe Pokémon GO evolves into Arcanine using 50 Growlithe Candy.
| Growlithe evolution requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Growlithe Candy | 50 |
| Evolution item | None |
| Buddy requirement | None |
| Walking requirement | None |
| Time requirement | None |
| Evolution | Arcanine |
Growlithe does not require a Fire Stone in Pokémon GO.
Players only need 50 Growlithe Candy.
Growlithe can be evolved at any time of day and does not need to be set as the player’s Buddy.
How to Evolve Growlithe Into Arcanine
Open the Growlithe selected for evolution and check that at least 50 Growlithe Candy is available.
Review its appraisal, shiny status and form before selecting Evolve.
Regular Fire-type Growlithe will evolve into regular Fire-type Arcanine.
It cannot evolve into Hisuian Arcanine.
Only Hisuian Growlithe can evolve into Hisuian Arcanine.
Is Growlithe Candy Shared With Hisuian Growlithe?
Regular Growlithe and Hisuian Growlithe use the same Growlithe Candy.
Candy collected from either form can be used to evolve or power up Growlithe, Arcanine, Hisuian Growlithe and Hisuian Arcanine.
| Pokémon | Candy used |
|---|---|
| Growlithe | Growlithe Candy |
| Arcanine | Growlithe Candy |
| Hisuian Growlithe | Growlithe Candy |
| Hisuian Arcanine | Growlithe Candy |
Players interested in both Arcanine forms should save at least 100 Growlithe Candy for the two evolutions.
Additional Candy will be required for power-ups and second Charged Attacks.
How to Get Growlithe Candy
Growlithe Candy can be earned by catching Growlithe, catching Hisuian Growlithe, hatching either form, walking with a member of the family as a Buddy, transferring spare Growlithe and trading Growlithe.
Players can also use Pinap Berries or Silver Pinap Berries to increase the Candy received from catches.
During Arctic Embers, players who still need Arcanine should use Pinap Berries on wild Growlithe Pokémon GO encounters.
Players should check each Growlithe before transferring it because it may have strong IVs, useful PvP IVs or shiny status.
Best Mega Evolution for Catching Growlithe
An active Fire-type Mega Evolution can increase Candy rewards from Growlithe catches.
Useful choices include Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Houndoom, Mega Blaziken and Mega Camerupt.
Primal Groudon can also provide Fire-type catch benefits while its Primal Reversion is active.
During Arctic Embers, a Fire-type Mega can also support Candy gains from Vulpix, Ponyta and Slugma.
Players concentrating on the event’s Ice Pokémon may prefer an Ice-type Mega instead.
Growlithe Pokémon GO Best Moveset
The best Growlithe Pokémon GO moveset for general attacking is:
| Growlithe use | Recommended moveset |
|---|---|
| General attacking | Ember and Flamethrower |
| Fire damage | Ember and Flamethrower |
| Trainer Battles | Ember, Body Slam and Flamethrower |
| Team GO Rocket | Ember and Body Slam |
Ember and Flamethrower both receive the same-type attack bonus from Growlithe’s Fire typing.
Body Slam can provide cheaper neutral damage in Trainer Battles.
Growlithe itself is not a major raid investment. Players should usually evolve it into Arcanine before spending substantial Candy or Stardust.
Current Pokémon GO data lists Ember and Flamethrower as Growlithe’s strongest general moveset.
Growlithe Pokémon GO Weaknesses
Growlithe Pokémon GO is weak against Ground, Rock and Water-type attacks.
As a pure Fire-type Pokémon, Growlithe does not have a double weakness.
Strong Growlithe counters include Pokémon using powerful Ground, Rock or Water moves.
| Counter type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Water | Kyogre, Mega Swampert and Greninja |
| Ground | Groudon, Garchomp and Excadrill |
| Rock | Rhyperior, Rampardos and Tyrantrum |
The strongest available option depends on the Pokémon’s current moves and the battle format.
Growlithe Resistances
Growlithe resists Bug, Fairy, Fire, Grass, Ice and Steel-type attacks.
Damage taken when Growlithe is hit by each type:
Weak to
Resists
Based on Fire typing. Abilities may modify these matchups.
These resistances can help Growlithe against several common attack types.
However, Growlithe’s unevolved stats mean it can still take heavy damage from strong neutral attacks.
Regular Arcanine retains the same pure Fire typing and defensive profile.
Growlithe Pokémon GO Stats
Growlithe Pokémon GO has an attack-focused stat distribution for an unevolved Pokémon.
| Growlithe stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Attack | 136 |
| Defence | 93 |
| Stamina | 146 |
| Maximum CP | 1,405 |
Growlithe’s maximum CP is not high enough to make it an important raid attacker.
Its main value comes from Shiny Growlithe, Arcanine evolution, Ditto hunting, Candy collection and selected restricted PvP formats.
Current Pokémon GO databases list Growlithe with a maximum CP of 1,405.
Which Growlithe Should You Keep?
The best Growlithe Pokémon GO candidate depends on how Arcanine will be used.
| Intended use | Growlithe to keep |
|---|---|
| Fire raid attacker | 15 Attack and strong overall IVs |
| Great League | Low Attack with high Defence and Stamina |
| Ultra League | Suitable PvP IV combination |
| Collection | Shiny Growlithe |
| Perfect collection | 15/15/15 Growlithe |
| Lower power-up cost | Lucky Growlithe |
| Shadow battles | Strong Shadow Growlithe |
| Living Pokédex | One Growlithe and one Arcanine |
Players should not transfer every low-star Growlithe without checking its PvP IVs.
Lower Attack can be useful in CP-limited leagues because it may allow Arcanine to reach a higher overall level.
Arcanine Pokémon GO Best Moveset
Arcanine is a pure Fire-type Pokémon.
A strong Arcanine Fire moveset is:
| Arcanine use | Recommended moveset |
|---|---|
| Fire raid damage | Fire Fang and Flamethrower |
| Trainer Battles | Snarl, Psychic Fangs and Wild Charge |
| Team GO Rocket | Snarl and Psychic Fangs |
| General Gym battles | Fire Fang and Flamethrower |
Fire Fang and Flamethrower provide reliable Fire-type damage.
Snarl generates energy quickly in Trainer Battles.
Psychic Fangs can reduce the opponent’s Defence, while Wild Charge provides strong coverage against Water and Flying Pokémon.
Wild Charge lowers the user’s Defence after use in Trainer Battles, so it should be timed carefully.
Is Arcanine Good in Pokémon GO?
Arcanine has more value in limited PvP formats and for developing accounts than it does as a top raid attacker.
Its advantages include a varied move pool, an easy 50-Candy evolution and access to Fire, Electric, Psychic, Dark and Ground coverage.
Its disadvantages include competition from stronger Fire attackers and weaknesses to common Water, Ground and Rock attacks.
Arcanine can still be useful for newer players who do not yet have a complete Fire raid team.
It should not normally receive heavy Stardust investment when stronger Fire Pokémon are already available.
Is Arcanine Good for Raids?
Arcanine can provide Fire-type raid damage with Fire Fang and Flamethrower.
Fire attacks are effective against Bug, Grass, Ice and Steel Pokémon.
However, Arcanine is outperformed by stronger Fire attackers such as Reshiram, Blacephalon, Darmanitan, Chandelure, Volcarona, Mega Blaziken and Mega Charizard Y.
A high-level Arcanine can serve as a temporary raid attacker, but it is not a priority long-term investment.
Is Arcanine Good in PvP?
Arcanine can appear in Great League, Ultra League and restricted cups.
Its wide move pool makes it less predictable than many Fire Pokémon.
Snarl, Psychic Fangs and Wild Charge provide fast energy generation, defensive debuffs and powerful coverage.
Arcanine remains relatively fragile and must avoid Water, Ground and Rock opponents.
Its strongest opportunities usually come in limited formats rather than open Great League or open Ultra League.
What Is Hisuian Growlithe?
Hisuian Growlithe is a Fire and Rock-type regional form.
It evolves into Hisuian Arcanine using 50 Growlithe Candy.
| Feature | Growlithe | Hisuian Growlithe |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fire | Fire and Rock |
| Evolution | Arcanine | Hisuian Arcanine |
| Evolution cost | 50 Candy | 50 Candy |
| Main weakness | Ground, Rock and Water | Ground and Water double weaknesses |
| Shiny available | Yes | Yes |
| Candy | Shared | Shared |
Regular Growlithe cannot evolve into Hisuian Arcanine.
Hisuian Growlithe cannot evolve into regular Arcanine.
Hisuian Growlithe’s current strongest general moveset is listed as Bite and Rock Slide.
Is Regular or Hisuian Arcanine Better?
Regular Arcanine is generally easier to use because its pure Fire typing gives it fewer weaknesses.
Hisuian Arcanine gains Rock-type damage but also receives double weaknesses to Ground and Water.
| Form | Main advantage |
|---|---|
| Arcanine | Flexible move pool and safer typing |
| Hisuian Arcanine | Fire and Rock coverage |
| Both | Straightforward 50-Candy evolution |
Neither Arcanine form is a leading open-format raid or PvP Pokémon.
The better choice depends on the player’s collection, available IVs and current team needs.
Should You Evolve Growlithe During Arctic Embers?
Players do not need to evolve Growlithe Pokémon GO during Arctic Embers unless an event task requires it.
Waiting until the event ends allows players to compare all their catches for shiny status, perfect IVs, PvP IVs, high Attack and Lucky trade potential.
Because regular and Hisuian Growlithe share Candy, players should consider whether they also need Hisuian Arcanine before spending their Candy.
At least 100 Growlithe Candy is required to obtain one of each Arcanine form.
Best Arctic Embers Growlithe Strategy
Players should catch every Growlithe Pokémon GO encounter during Arctic Embers rather than only shiny checking it.
Catching Growlithe provides Candy, Stardust, XP and a potential Ditto reveal.
Use Pinap Berries when Candy is the main priority and activate a Fire-type Mega Evolution for additional catch benefits.
Players should keep Shiny Growlithe, perfect Growlithe, high-Attack candidates, useful PvP IVs and strong Shadow Growlithe.
Growlithe Pokédex Description
Very protective of its territory. It will bark and bite to repel intruders from its space.
Growlithe is extremely protective of its territory and will bark or bite when it detects an unfamiliar presence.
Is Growlithe Pokémon GO Worth Catching?
Growlithe Pokémon GO is worth catching during Arctic Embers for shiny checks, Arcanine Candy and potential Ditto encounters.
Its main value comes from Shiny Growlithe availability, Arcanine evolution, shared Candy with Hisuian Growlithe, possible Ditto disguises, Shadow Growlithe and Arctic Embers wild appearances.
Arcanine is not an essential raid attacker, but it can still provide useful Fire damage and flexible PvP coverage for developing accounts.
Players should prioritise Shiny Growlithe, perfect Growlithe, strong PvP IVs and high-Attack candidates before transferring their event catches.
