Fluffy is the three-headed monster dog that Hagrid uses to guard the trapdoor hiding the mysterious package Dumbledore so wants to protect. Fluffy is extremely ferocious, but will fall asleep if you play soothing music to him.
What was the dog in Harry Potter?
The Neapolitan Mastiff, known as Fang in Harry Potter, was picked up by top animal trainer Julie Tottman from a Northampton-based rescue shelter. Julie worked as Harry Potter’s head animal trainer between 2000 and 2011, and has trained more than 250 animals for the movies including owls, cats and even spiders.
Before Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger joined Hogwarts, Hagrid acquired the three-headed beast from someone at the Leaky Cauldron. Rather than keep him as a pet, Hagrid loaned the enormous animal to headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Fluffy was then used to guard the trapdoor leading to the underground chamber holding the Sorcerers Stone. Harry, Ron, and Hermione first encountered Fluffy when the trio found themselves in a restricted area of the school after running from Argus Filch. The trio later learned the vicious guard dog could be forced to fall asleep if music was played.
Fluffys arc was short-lived in the Harry Potter franchise, but some interesting details regarding his fate have been revealed in recent years.
The Greek aspect of Fluffys background was fitting for his Harry Potter arc, considering the creature was based on hellhounds from Greek mythology. Hades hellhound, Cerberus, was thought to have three heads as he guarded the Underworld. The fact that the appearance was incorporated into the creature sent to guard an important chamber was completely intentional. Amusingly, Fluffys story was seemingly given a recent update, connecting the dog to a taco truck attack. The security footage (via Twitter) showing a “ravenous three-headed dog” believed to be Fluffy was promoted through the social media accounts of the official Harry Potter mobile game, Wizards Unite, in 2019. More than anything, the update confirmed Fluffy is alive and well in the wizarding world.
Fluffy the three-headed dog didnt make any appearances after the first Harry Potter installment, but author J.K. Rowling revealed details regarding his fate. Despite his brief stint in Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Fluffy became one of the most popular mystical creatures to come out of the franchise. Like fellow dog Fang, Fluffy was also originally owned by Hogwarts groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid before embarking on a special job.
According to the author, Hagrid set Fluffy free in the Forbidden Forest after the events of the first installment. Considering the stone had been destroyed, the dogs duties were no longer needed. Being the gentle giant that he was, Hagrid must have thought it was best to allow the large animal to live freely among other mystical species. In 2015, Rowling took to Twitter to confirm Fluffy was sent back to his native Greece, which was set up by Dumbledore. Not wanting Hagrids known dangerous creatures lurking around in the proximity of students and staff, he thought it was best to send the three-headed dog back home.