======Dogs in the Wizarding World======
=====Introduction=====
Dogs are a common animal in both the [[Muggle]] and [[Wizarding world]], where they appear as mundane pets, formidable magical guards, and significant magical forms. They are featured as the [[Animagus]] form of a key character, a common form for the [[Patronus Charm]], and the physical manifestation of a dark omen. Both ordinary and magical dogs play various roles throughout the [[Harry Potter]] series, from providing companionship to guarding powerful magical objects.
=====Notable Dogs and Dog-like Creatures=====
  * **Fang:** [[Rubeus Hagrid]]'s large Boarhound. Despite his intimidating size, Fang is described as being a "bloody coward." He is a loyal companion to [[Hagrid]] and friendly towards [[Harry Potter]], [[Ron Weasley]], and [[Hermione Granger]]. Fang accompanies Harry and [[Draco Malfoy]] into the [[Forbidden Forest]] during their detention and is present for many significant events at [[Hagrid's Hut]].
  * **Fluffy:** A giant, monstrous three-headed dog bred by [[Rubeus Hagrid]]. [[Albus Dumbledore]] used Fluffy to guard the trapdoor leading to the underground chambers protecting the [[Philosopher's Stone]]. The only known way to subdue Fluffy is to play him music, which causes him to fall asleep. After the threat to the Stone was over, [[Hagrid]] set Fluffy free in the [[Forbidden Forest]]. (Pottermore)
  * **Ripper:** [[Marjorie Dursley]]'s vicious bulldog. Ripper is one of her twelve bulldogs and her favourite. He travels with her to [[Number 4, Privet Drive]], where he exhibits aggressive behaviour, notably chasing [[Harry Potter]] up a tree.
  * **The Grim:** A spectral omen of death that takes the form of a giant, ghostly black dog with flaming eyes. In their third year, [[Professor Trelawney]] identifies what she believes to be the [[Grim]] in [[Harry Potter]]'s tea leaves, causing widespread alarm. Sightings of the [[Grim]] were actually sightings of [[Sirius Black]] in his [[Animagus]] form.
  * **[[Sirius Black]]'s Animagus Form:** Often mistaken for the [[Grim]], [[Sirius Black]]'s unregistered [[Animagus]] form is a large, shaggy black dog, which earned him the Marauder nickname [[Padfoot]]. This form was instrumental in his escape from [[Azkaban]] and allowed him to move about undetected, watch [[Harry Potter]]'s [[Quidditch]] matches, and communicate with his friends.
=====Dogs as Magical Forms=====
=====Animagus=====
The most prominent example of a dog [[Animagus]] is [[Sirius Black]], who transforms into a large black dog. This non-verbal, wandless magic allowed him to slip past the [[Dementors]] of [[Azkaban]], as they could not sense his less complex canine emotions.
=====Patronus Charm=====
The dog is a known form for a corporeal [[Patronus]].
  * [[Ron Weasley]]'s [[Patronus]] takes the form of a Jack Russell Terrier. He successfully casts it to drive away [[Dementors]] during the [[Battle of Hogwarts]]. He also uses it as a messenger to communicate with Harry at [[Number 12, Grimmauld Place]].
  * An unnamed member of the [[Order of the Phoenix]] sends a dog-shaped [[Patronus]] to [[The Burrow]] to warn guests at [[Bill Weasley]] and [[Fleur Delacour]]'s wedding that the [[Ministry of Magic]] had fallen and that [[Rufus Scrimgeour]] was dead.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * In the film adaptations of the //Harry Potter// series, Fang was portrayed by a Neapolitan Mastiff. (film)
  * [[J.K. Rowling]] has stated that she chose a Jack Russell Terrier for [[Ron Weasley]]'s [[Patronus]] because she herself owns a Jack Russell, and it is a breed known for chasing otters, a subtle reference to [[Hermione Granger]]'s otter [[Patronus]]. (J.K. Rowling interview)