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"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang."
Rubeus Hagrid[src]

Fang (b. circa 1984)[1] was an over-sized boarhound dog, and one of Rubeus Hagrid's pets.[2] He was a large dog that lived in his hut with him and accompanied Hagrid in many places, such as the Forbidden Forest.[3] Fang was present for the majority of the Second Wizarding War, such as the Battle of the Astronomy Tower[4] and the Battle of Hogwarts.[5] He survived the war and was still alive and well in the late 2000s.[6]

Biography[]

Early life[]

"Why don't you name him Fang? I've always liked that name for a dog."
— A student recommended the name Fang[src]
Fang pup1

Fang as a little puppy, fetching a stick

Fang was born in around 1984, and became Rubeus Hagrid's pet by September of the same year.[1] He was seen as a puppy on the school grounds fetching a stick and bolting down the hill back towards Hagrid's Hut. In 1985, Fang was trapped by the same Devil's Snare which Hagrid had rescued Jacob's sibling from the year before. Hagrid asked them if they could help him with the Devil's Snare the second time, being aware that using the Wand-Lighting Charm would only cause the dangerous plant to retreat further into the room in which it had been placed, placing Fang's life in danger.[7]

Hagrid with Fang and his flute

Fang relaxing outside his master's hut

Hagrid told Jacob's sibling to help him by brewing a Fire-Breathing Potion. Hagrid decided not to share what the potion was for, because he was embarrassed about his failure to keep a close enough eye on his pup and merely recited the ingredients. Jacob's sibling, Rowan Khanna, Ben Copper, and Penny Haywood eventually made the potion. Hagrid then told Jacob's sibling why he needed the potion, and they saved Fang from the Devil's Snare by using the potion. Hagrid then revealed he had not named the puppy yet, and they decide on the name Fang.[7]

At some point during the 1985–1986 school year, Fang became afraid of cats, mostly due to Mrs Norris. Jacob's sibling, Rowan, Penny and Minerva McGonagall helped him overcome his fear and prepare for the pet gathering.[8]

Jacob's sibling: "You think Fang is brave...?"
Rubeus Hagrid: "Well, sometimes. When he's not sleepy. Or playful. At any rate, don't test him, alright?"
— Jacob's sibling and Hagrid discussing Fang in the 1980s[src]

During the 1985–1986 school year, Fang was kidnapped by Todd and Corrine Cribb along with many other pets as they wanted to get revenge on Hagrid for disrupting their poaching activities. They didn't know specifically which was Hagrid's pet but managed to capture Fang anyway (who was in the care of Merula Snyde at the time). When Jacob's sibling and Merula Snyde discovered Todd and Corrine Cribb, Fang came rushing to their side and was eventually returned to Hagrid.[9] By September 1986, Fang enjoyed kipping in the Library and hanging out in the Transfiguration Classroom because he saw a cat in there once, which was actually Minerva McGonagall in Animagus form.[10] At the beginning of the 1986–1987 school year, Fang went missing when he was scared by a fairy he found in the pumpkin patch by Hagrid's Hut. Hagrid once again asked Jacob's sibling to help him. Hagrid then searched the Forbidden Forest, telling them Fang once ran in there and couldn't find the way out.[10]

Wizard Fang HM720

Fang disguised as a wizard

During the 1990–1991 school year, Jacob's sibling and their friends disguised Fang as a wizard with a pointed wizard's hat and blue shirt, to bring him into St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries to visit a bedridden Hagrid, who had been missing him while hospitalised there. They lied to the hospital staff that Fang was a wizard who had been transfigured into a dog sent in for treatment, so he could enter, as animals were not allowed inside the hospital.[11] Later that school year, Fang found Mrs Norris trapped in the roots of the Hogwarts Whomping Willow.[12]

1991-1995[]

WB F1 Fang HarryMalfoyFangInForest 11428

Fang in the Forbidden Forest with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy

In 1992, Fang accompanied first-year students Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter into the Forbidden Forest for a detention, only to run away in fear after encountering a hooded figure drinking blood from a dead unicorn. After running away he soon found Hagrid, and Hermione Granger, who immediately knew that Draco and Harry were in danger.[3] In 1993, Fang accompanied Ron Weasley and Harry to visit Aragog in the Forbidden Forest. He, Harry, and Ron were nearly eaten by Aragog's children, but they were rescued by the wild Ford Anglia that was previously owned by Ron's father, Arthur Weasley.[13]

B3C14M1 Buckbeak and Fang in Hagrid's Hut

Fang and Buckbeak inside Hagrid's hut

Fang was present when Buckbeak was being reviewed by the British Ministry of Magic. He was seen sulking in his basket during one of the trio's many visits to Hagrid's hut during the 1993–1994 school year.[14][15] Fang also shared the hut with Buckbeak after Hagrid moved the hippogriff inside after Lucius Malfoy made his case to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures after Buckbeak attacked his son during a Care of Magical Creatures lesson that resulted in Draco's arm being injured.[16] In 1994, Hagrid decided not to take Fang with him to see the Dragons kept in the Forbidden Forest with Harry, as he thought he would not like them.[17]

In 1995, when the trio tried to enter Hagrid's hut and Hagrid initialy did not answer due to being upset about Rita Skeeter's article about him being a half-giant, Fang barked and scratched at the door when they knocked. Albus Dumbledore who was with Hagrid let them in and Hagrid explained to them why he was feeling down.[18] Later that year, Fang went with Hagrid in order to look for Bartemius Crouch Senior in the Forbidden Forest, after Viktor Krum had been found stunned.[19]

Second Wizarding War[]

In 1996, after Hagrid had returned to Hogwarts after his Mission to the Giant colony, Fang was with him in the hut when the trio visited him to hear of his tale, and was very happy to see them. Fang also tried to lick Dolores Umbridge's face when she entered, but she snapped at him to get away and waved her handbag at him.[20] When Hagrid was attacked by Ministry of Magic Aurors led by Dolores Umbridge, Fang was hit by a Stunning Spell, when he tried to defend Hagrid, resulting in the responsible party being hurled over ten feet away by an enraged Hagrid. Hagrid took the stunned Fang with him when he escaped into the mountains.[21] After Voldemort's return was made public and Umbridge was sacked, Hagrid and Fang returned to their hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.[22]

Halfblood-03201

Fang next to Harry Potter after the funeral of Aragog

Fang was present during the funeral of Aragog "sulking in his basket during the burial" and afterwards, padded across the floor to them and laid his head in Harry Potter's lap and proceeded to slobber all over his robes.[23] Fang was also inside Hagrid's Hut when it was set ablaze by Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle, during the Battle of the Astronomy Tower on 30 June 1997. He was rescued shortly when Hagrid and Harry doused the fire with the Water-Making Spell.[4] It can be assumed that Fang was present at Dumbledore's funeral with Hagrid.

In 1998, Fang went with Hagrid and Grawp to Hogwarts to help in the defense of the castle. However, as soon as the fighting began Fang was startled when a vase nearby was hit by a spell and exploded, and he ran away in fright, with Hagrid going after him immediately.[5] He survived the battle and continued to live with Hagrid in his hut afterwards.[6]

21st century[]

During the 2009–2010 school year, he went wild after hearing the songs of uncontrolled Fwoopers in Hagrid's Hut. When a student encountered him, he showed them some teeth before passing out.[6]

Physical description[]

Fang was described as a giant boarhound with black fur.[2]

Personality and traits[]

"'Make yerselves at home,' said Hagrid, letting go of Fang, who bounded straight at Ron and started licking his ears. Like Hagrid, Fang was clearly not as fierce as he looked."
— Fang's friendly personality[src]

Fang was a large hound who slobbered constantly. On several occasions he completely soaked Harry Potter's robes while laying his head on Harry's lap.[2] When someone entered Hagrid's hut, he would greet them with loud, booming barks[18] and almost always licking their faces or ears.[20] He was very protective of Hagrid, but was a "bloody coward".[24] Fang was a very friendly, affectionate and sociable dog, and was often very happy to see the trio whenever they came to see Hagrid and him.[18][25][20] He would also try to play with the other animals at Hogwarts, including Fawkes, much to Albus Dumbledore's amusement.[26]

Fang was very fond of taking baths, although he could only take them when he had the help of another person. Whenever he went too long without having a bath, he would start to smell of a Bundimun infestation.[27]

Behind the scenes[]

Lego2 07 Fang

Fang in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Hagrid's Hut & Fang Funko POP!

Fang and Hagrid's Hut in POP! Vinyl form

Fang - PAS

Fang as seen in Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells

  • In the books, Fang is said to be a boarhound, or Great Dane. In the films, Fang is portrayed by a Neapolitan Mastiff, a very different breed, though one that was also used against boars.
  • Having been born in or before 1984, and still being alive in 2009, Fang has lived for at least 25 years, which is nearly double the real-life record lifespan for either a Great Dane or a Neapolitan Mastiff.[citation needed]
  • The dogs who play Fang in the first two movies are Hugo, Bully, Bella, and Vito. A dog named Luigi played Fang in the second and sixth films. In the 2nd disc special feature of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Head Animal Trainer Julie Tottman shows the new dog who played Fang, and its name is Monkey,[28] while in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Neapolitan Mastiff who played Fang is Uno.[29]
  • In LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Fang is one of the several characters that can dig up Dig-Spots, including Professor Lupin (Werewolf), Mrs Norris, and Crookshanks. Without using Freeplay mode or Polyjuice Potion, Fang is playable in the fifth level of The Philosopher's Stone, "The Forbidden Forest", the fifth in The Chamber of Secrets, "Follow The Spiders", and "Dragons" as the second level in The Goblet Of Fire. Fang is unlocked at the beginning of "The Forbidden Forest", by changing from either Ron or Harry (in Story-Mode) to Fang, and then using Fang to dig underneath the cliff at the start. Fang's Character-Token will be in the tunnel.
  • In the video game adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix, Fang is only heard from outside Hagrid's cabin and shakes the whole house.
  • Fang's role is omitted from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
  • Fang does make a brief appearance in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, though he's easy to miss. He can be glimpsed in the background when Hagrid tells the trio to hurry up and head back to the castle before Buckbeak is executed and Harry is reassuring him that it will be okay.
  • In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Hagrid asks the player what he should name the dog and says he is a new puppy. The event happens in Chapter 8 of Year Two during the 1985–1986 school year. However, Fang could be found in the game in Year One as well, which was over a year earlier. It makes no sense that Hagrid would say he was a new puppy when he had had him for at least a year, or that Hagrid would have waited that long to name him.
    • The player can choose one of three names for Hagrid's dog: Fang, Hagrid Junior, or Voldemort. If the player selects an option other than Fang, Hagrid will laugh them off and pick Fang anyway. The answer decides whether the player was rewarded with Courage, Empathy or Knowledge points.

Appearances[]

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Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 In Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Hagrid says Fang was "a puppy" in the 1985–1986 school year. In the 1984–1985 school year, Fang can be seen on the school grounds as a little puppy picking up a stick and running down the hill towards Hagird's cabin. Dogs of the type reach their full size in about eighteen months, meaning Fang was born and acquired by Hagrid in 1984, before September.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 8 (The Potions Master)
  3. 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 15 (The Forbidden Forest)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 28 (Flight of the Prince)
  5. 5.0 5.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 31 (The Battle of Hogwarts)
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
  7. 7.0 7.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "Help Hagird!"
  8. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, Side Quest "Scaredy-Cats"
  9. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 2, "THE CASE OF THE MISSING PETS" Achievement
  10. 10.0 10.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 3, Chapter 1 (Year Three Begins)
  11. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 20 (A Different Kind of Hospital Drama)
  12. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 46 (Total Recall) - Assignment "Missing Mrs Norris"
  13. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 15 (Aragog)
  14. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 6 (Talons and Tea Leaves)
  15. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 11 (The Firebolt)
  16. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 21 (Hermione's Secret)
  17. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 19 (The Hungarian Horntail)
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 24 (Rita Skeeter's Scoop)
  19. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 28 (The Madness of Mr Crouch)
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 20 (Hagrid's Tale)
  21. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 31 (O.W.L.s)
  22. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 38 (The Second War Begins)
  23. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 22 (After the Burial)
  24. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
  25. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 37 (The Beginning)
  26. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, "HEAD BOYS AND GIRLS" Achievement
  27. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 4, Side Quest "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HOGWARTS"
  28. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film) Special Features (see this image)
  29. HPUpdate: Neapolitan Mastiff who played "Fang" in HP6 movie had received an Academy Award

See also[]

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