Many fans of Game of Thrones have enjoyed the appearance of these wolves, actually dogs, beautiful and giants that have accompanied our favorite protagonists. If you are still one of those who wonder if they are real, we must let you know that yes, they are, and that they have amazing lives.
Discover in this article on our site everything about the wolves in Game of Thrones: their race, their names, what they look like, who they belong to, unpublished photographs….
If you are a true Game of Thrones expert and follower, you cannot miss this complete article about your favorite series (and animals):
Wolf or dog?
In fiction, this canine is called " direwolf" a close relative of the wolf, large and strong in appearance. It first appears when Lord Eddard Stark finds a dead direwolf along with her pups. Far from wanting to kill them, John Snow asks Ned to let them liveand to give them to each of his five legitimate children. When Ned is convinced, a sixth white cub appears and is given to John.
In real life, these dogs belong to the northern Inuit (Northern Eskimo Dog) breed and their actual ancestry is unknown. They appeared in the 1970s and 1980s in Canada but the breed itself was developed in the UK. It is estimated that its closest relatives include the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute, the German Shepherd and the Labrador Retriever.
The Northen Inuit is not accepted by the FCI but is accepted by the British Kennel Club. In addition, there are various associations dedicated exclusively to the development of this breed. They are kind dogs, faithful and very attached to their owners, giant in size, these dogs stand out for their great resemblance to the wild wolf.
Image from nisociety.com:
What are the names of the dogs in Game of Thrones?
1. Nymeria and Arya Stark
In fiction, Nymeria is a fiercely loyal direwolf who bites the then Prince Joffrey Baratheon to defend Arya. Fearing the death of her mate, Arya decides to force Nymeria to leave. His whereabouts are currently unknown.
Image from wikia.nocookie.net:
two. Summer and Bran Stark
Summer, in the original version, is the name of Bran's dog and one of the bravest of the Stark direwolves fearlessly attacking a white walker. Throughout the series, she slavishly accompanies Bran and they remain very close, reaching deep into each other thanks to Bran's ability to change skins. Summer sacrifices herself in season six when the wraiths try to take down Bran.
In real life Bran tried by all means to adopt Summer, something that his family did not allow because they already have two dogs in the home.
Image from images5.fanpop.com:
3. Shaggydog and Rickon Stark
Throughout the series, the wild Osha is the one who takes care of Rickon after the fall of the Starks. In season six and before the Battle of Winterfell, Shaggydog is beheaded by Smalljon Umber and given to Ramsay Bolton along with his owner and his wildling as proof of Rickon's true identity.
Image from static.independent.co.uk:
4. Gray Wind and Robb Stark
Grey Wind is the real name of this beautiful wolf that imposes on Jaime Lannister when he is a hostage of Robb Stark. He is the protagonist of the battle of Ox Crossing since without him they could not have scared the horses and killed a group of sentinels, which finished off the Lannister forces. Gray Wind dies decapitated like his partner Robb by the Frey family who sews Gray Wind's head on Robb's body.
Image from lightlybuzzed.com:
5. Lady and Sansa Stark
After Nymeria, Arya's dog, bit the then prince Joffrey Baratheon, Arya forces him to flee, thus preventing the death imposed by Cersei Lannister. However, the queen was not satisfied with her escape from the direwolf and asked for the death of Lady, Sansa's dog, instead. Finally it is Ned who ends Lady's life before she did a butcher.
In real life things were very different, Sophie Turner became another of the celebrities who have adopted a dog and she couldn't help but fall in love with "Dana" the real name of this dog so beautiful.
Image from images5.fanpop.com:
6. Ghost and John Snow
Fantasma, or Ghost in the original version, is the dog that John Snow adopts. He is an albino dog with red eyes, the smallest of the litter. Ghost accompanies John throughout the series, helping him survive both him and Sam, a companion of the Night's Watch. Even after the mutineers killed him, Ghost was still beside John's lifeless body.
Image from images-cdn.moviepilot.com:
