GROWLIE (AKA GROWLTIT), the Warm and Fuzzy Pokegirl

Type: Near Human - Not Very Near Human (Canine Animorph)
Element: Fire
Frequency: Uncommon
Diet: Human Standard
Role: Tracking, Combat, Pet, Law enforcement
Libido: Average - High
Strong Vs: Bug, Fire, Ice, Plant, Steel
Weak Vs: Ground, Rock, Water
Attacks: Flamethrower, Ignite, Snarl, Slash, Bite, Headbutt, Takedown, Rage, Fire Spin, Fire Blast, Quick Attack
Enhancements: Enhanced Strength (x4), Enhanced Senses (Olfactory) (x8), Enhanced Endurance (x2), Enhanced Speed (x3), Heat Aura, Intuitive Aptitude (Fishing, Tracking, Foraging)
Evolves: Denmother (Special, giving birth), Huskie (Ice Crystal), Mudpuppy (Round Stone)
Evolves From: Puppy (Fire Stone), Doggirl (Fire Stone)
Revised: August 2011

Widely known to be the first documented tamed pokegirl, the Growlie breed is a common sight in cities and towns, and well known for being used in police forces. The loyalty of this fire dog breed is legendary, the stories of which are often told to children, embellished or not. Due to the breed's coloration, debates are often held as to which, if any, of the many breeds of true dogs this pokegirl was based on. Opinions vary greatly.

While the Growlie breed leans heavily towards anthromorphic in appearance, the breed shares the common range of Near Human, along with being fully animorphic in the Not Very Near Human spectrum. Broad, full muzzles, digigrade feet and an altered gait to allow for quadrupedal travel mark the not very near human members of the breed. Common to the animorphic members of the breed is a full coat of rust to bright red fur with stripes along the back, arms, and legs. White to yellow fur begins just under the chin and runs down the stomach to the groin as well as being the color of the tail. Variations of these coat colors range from the more common thickness and placement of stripes to the less common color variations of the overall coat. Muzzles are usually lighter on the furry Near Human members of the breed, and feet can also be plantigrade. For those on the far side of the Near Human spectrum, only rounded ears (usually rust colored) and bushy tails (usually white, cream, or yellow) are the only identifiers of the breed. Also common to the breed is blond hair, though other colors have been reported.

Loyalty, this is the first trait that comes into mind when one thinks about a Growlie as there are many accounts of the breed protecting owners and even their owners relatives against all dangers. The breed is known in popular culture as being loyal to a fault, with romanticized stories claiming that the breed is crippled mentally and physically if even a simple Alpha bond breaks. In reality, this canine breed is highly loyal, though they do have wants and needs of their own. While many members of the breed may not actively disagree with their tamers, some actions may bother them. The breed is also somewhat territorial, though this is in regards to their family (or pack) and not to any particular area. It should also be noted that younger members of the breed are often much more active, at times getting side tracked by smells or giving in easily to their canine instincts -particularly the chasing reflex. As they get older, the breed tends to become more mellow and laid back. Younger members of the breed are often referred to as Growlies while older individuals are called Growltits, though this line may be blurred in some areas.

In addition to their fire elemental abilities, this canine breed also utilizes their enhanced strength with direct physical attacks as well as their claws and fangs. Due to their enhanced strength, even individuals with no muzzle at all are able to deliver powerful bites. Though the breed often mixes up their attacks, and can often learn outside techniques to broaden their effectiveness, any Growlie can be taken down by experienced water, rock, or ground types. This breed is most often used in police work, trained beside OfficerJennies to assist them in their work (though the breed had begun to be used in police work before their police pokegirl partners were created). While Boobgles are the ultimate trackers, this breed are quite effective in their own right in tracking and hunting down criminals.

Taming any of these canine pokegirls should be taken on an individual basis. The breed's preferences usually begin to mold to their tamer's, though it has been consistently reported that most members of the breed dislike bondage and giving or receiving pain. This makes for problems in harems including a Growlie and any of the dominating pokegirls, though oddly this breed gets along well with feline breeds (though the same might not be said about the cat types).

Ferals of the breed are territorial, and tend to form packs made of the same loyalty as the breed is known to show to tamers. Packs, unless hunting, will bark, howl, and mock charge at trespassers to run them off before attempting to do any damage. Many tamers are taught that if they see markings of a Growlie pack but are not accosted, that it is very likely they are being hunted. Usually however, this breed eats foods that are more easily obtained, such as nuts, berries, insects, and small mammals that have no elemental attacks or resistances. The breed in particular is known for their natural knack for fishing, and packs commonly have territories close to rivers despite the dangers of their breed from aquatic predatory pokegirls. Tamers must be wary when attempting to capture one of these firey canines, as the breed's pack mates will attempt to track down their lost member, and unless an alpha bond is formed, so will the captured Growlie.

Among lines with canine ancestry, Growlies are common outcomes of threshold. Severely high fevers, cramps, and skin irritation last for up to three weeks as the thresholder completes her transformation. Oddly, this is considered more severe for closer to human appearing individuals than more anthromorphic thresholders, as the temperatures are typically higher and the symptoms often last long after their physical threshold is complete. New Growlies are often sent into police training, into industries, or as starters.