In the Pokemon anime, Growlithe served as Office Jenny's signature Pokemon. While these Growlithe would solve crime or need rescuing from Team Rocket, the Growlithe in Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl can spend time aiding players on their journey or snoozing away in a PC storage box.

Unfortunately, those who have Shining Pearl will not be able to find Growlithe in the wild. Growlithe is an exclusive Pokemon in Brilliant Diamond, and it won't appear until after the main story is completed.

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pokemon tcg growlithe

Despite Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl having more Fire-type than its originals, Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl, some of these Pokemon are only available in the post-game. Growlithe's habitats are in several hideaways, but until players defeat Cynthia and the Elite Four, it won't appear.

Another requirement is the National Dex. This can be obtained by seeing every Pokemon in the Sinnoh region. Luckily, players don't need to catch 'em all unless they're looking to fill up the pages. With this complete, travel to Sandgem Town and speak to Professor Rowan to get the National Dex. Pokemon from the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn regions will now be available to catch in the wild and the Grand Underground.

Growlithe appears in the following hideaways:

  • Volcanic Cave
  • Spacious Cave
  • Typhlo Cavern
  • Sandsear Cave

If Growlithe isn't appearing, exit and then re-enter. To increase the chances of Fire-types appearing, players can add statues to their Secret Base. Certain statues will increase the appearance rate of Pokemon with a specific type. Depending on the habitat players visit, Growlithe can appear as low as level 16.

Shining Pearl players can either get a Growlithe or Arcanine via trading. If they get Arcanine instead of Growlithe, they'll need to breed Arcanine with a Ditto at the Pokemon Daycare to get a Growlithe egg. Since Vulpix is considered Growlithe's counterpart (high Defense/Special Defense, modest Attack/Special Attack) and is Shining Pearl exclusive, consider trading one for Growlithe.

Trainers who catch Growlithe may want to evolve it into Arcanine using a Fire Stone. Level up Growlithe so it can learn all of its best moves before giving it the Fire Stone. This will save trainers from having to give Heart Scales to the Move Tutor just for Arcanine to "remember" its better moves. Both Growlithe and Arcanine have solid Attack, Special Attack, and Speed. This makes it ideal for battling, but be careful it doesn't go up against something that can easily pick away at its modest Defense and Special Defense.

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Pokemon Shining Pearl are available now on Nintendo Switch.

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