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what kind of dog is fang in harry potter

Fang is Hagrid’s dog, and he’s a different breed in the books and the movies.

Quick Scoop

  • In the Harry Potter books , Fang is described as a boarhound , which is an old term commonly used for a Great Dane.
  • In the Harry Potter films , Fang is played by a Neapolitan Mastiff (the big, wrinkly, drooly type you see on screen).

So if you’re thinking “what kind of dog is Fang in Harry Potter?” and picturing the movie version, that’s a Neapolitan Mastiff; if you’re going by the original books, he’s a boarhound/Great Dane.

Books vs. Movies At a Glance

[5] [1][7] [2][1] [7][1][2]
Version How Fang is Described Actual / Intended Breed
Books “Over-sized boarhound”, huge but timid, Hagrid’s companion.Boarhound, generally understood as a Great Dane.
Movies Massive, heavy, wrinkly guard-type dog.Neapolitan Mastiff (multiple mastiffs were used to play Fang).

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