What animal is Arcanine based off of?

What animal is Arcanine based off of? Arcanine is based on the Ryukyuan シーサー shisa, or 狛犬 komainu, mythical creatures inspired by lions, tigers, and dogs. Statues of them in pairs are used as guardians that invite good spirits and repel evil ones. It could also be based on the Xiezhi, a mythical fire-eating dog with similarities to lions and tigers.

Arcanine is based on the Ryukyuan シーサー shisa, or 狛犬 komainu, mythical creatures inspired by lions, tigers, and dogs. Statues of them in pairs are used as guardians that invite good spirits and repel evil ones. It could also be based on the Xiezhi, a mythical fire-eating dog with similarities to lions and tigers.