Golf Inspired Dog Names

If two heads are better than one than three must increase things exponentially. And if guarding something is the game, few seem to be better than that of Fluffy, the Cerberus from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone. 

As far as fictional dogs go, Fluffy may be one of the most memorable, if not for his massive size, then at least for his three heads. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s pivotal to the progression of the story.

Like most characters from the Harry Potter series, Fluffy has a pretty thorough background. The book’s author, J.K. Rowling, originally tied in some history with her conception of the giant three-headed dog as well. In the book, Rubeus Hagrid, the school’s gamekeeper, claims to have gotten Fluffy from a Greek chappie, implying that elements of Greek mythology were involved. In both Greek and Roman mythology, three-headed dogs are prominent figures known as hellhounds, the most powerful and prolific of which was Cerberus, also known as the “hound of Hades”, which was said to guard the gates of the Underworld as a tool to prevent the dead from escaping. It’s also notable that Cerberus’ most noteworthy story is being captured by Hercules as part of his Twelve Labours of penance, a keen parallel to Harry Potter himself. Unfortunately, during the filming of the first movie, the “Greek chappie” somehow turned into “an Irish feller”, thus obscuring the original meaning and subtext Rowling was going for all along.

In the film, however, Fluffy doesn’t lose much of his importance because of it. He is originally stumbled upon while the classic trio of Harry, Hermione and Ron (as well as Neville Longbottom, who is not included in the film moment) are trying to escape being caught by Argus Filch, the curmudgeonly caretaker of Hogwarts, after being duped by rival classmate Draco Malfoy into a late-night duel. Before the trio departs after being frightened nearly out of their robes, Hermione notices Fluffy is perched atop what looks to be a trap door, an important piece of foreshadowing as the trio tries to figure out its meaning in context. 

Eventually, they discover that he’s guarding the Philosopher’s Stone and must find a way to lull him to sleep, which happens to be music, despite almost failing in the moment and risking being mauled by the giant beast. After the story’s conclusion and the stone’s destruction, it is said that Hagrid, who initially lent Fluffy to Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, temporarily set him free in the Forbidden Forest shortly before Dumbledore had him sent back to his native Greece. 

Fun Fact: In the film, Fluffy appears to be modeled after a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.