He’s an old, wheezing, low-slung puffball of a dog. If you’ve seen Studio Ghibli’s 2004 masterpiece, you know exactly who I’m talking about. Most people just call him the Howl's Moving Castle dog, but his name is Heen. He’s a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen—or at least a magical, slightly mutated version of one.
He doesn’t talk. He barely walks. Honestly, he mostly just cough-barks and judges everyone with those heavy, drooping eyelids.
But here’s the thing: Heen isn’t just comic relief. While Howl is busy being a dramatic wizard and Sophie is dealing with her premature aging, Heen is the one quietly pulling the strings of the plot. He’s the ultimate double agent. Most viewers assume he’s Madam Suliman’s loyal spy, sent to keep tabs on the group. The reality is a bit more complicated, and honestly, way more interesting.
The Secret Life of Heen the Spy
Madam Suliman is the terrifyingly calm head sorceress of the kingdom. She’s essentially the "final boss" of the film’s political landscape. When she introduces Heen, it’s under the guise of him being a "errand dog" or a familiar. He’s supposed to be her eyes and ears.
It fails. Spectularly.
Instead of reporting back to Suliman, Heen basically decides he likes Sophie’s vibe better. Can you blame him? Howl’s castle has bacon and a cozy hearth, while Suliman’s palace is all marble floors and impending war. Heen chooses the side of the protagonists almost immediately, but he does it with zero fanfare. He just... starts following them.
Think about the scene where Sophie has to carry him up those endless palace stairs. It’s a grueling, hilarious sequence. Many fans interpret this as Heen being lazy. Maybe. But it’s also the moment Heen chooses his new master. He sees Sophie’s determination—even in her cursed, elderly form—and decides she’s worth sticking with. From that point on, he’s a defector. He’s a traitor to the crown, and he’s doing it all while looking like a sentient pile of laundry.
Why Does He Look Like That?
Hayao Miyazaki, the legendary director behind Ghibli, is famous for his specific character designs. Heen wasn’t just a random sketch. There’s a very real rumor that Heen was modeled after Mamoru Oshii, another famous Japanese director (the guy behind Ghost in the Shell).
Oshii and Miyazaki have a bit of a friendly, competitive rivalry. They’re friends, but they disagree on almost everything regarding filmmaking. Giving a dog the face of your director friend is the ultimate "expert-level" inside joke. It explains why Heen looks so incredibly tired and cynical. He’s seen it all. He’s bored by the magic. He just wants a nap.
Technically, he’s a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. These are real French hunting dogs. They are known for being stubborn, vocal, and having a "ruff" coat that looks like it’s never been brushed. If you own one, you know the "PBGV" attitude. They aren’t Golden Retrievers. They won’t do what you say just because you have a treat. They have their own agendas. Heen captures this breed's personality perfectly. He’s stubborn. He’s slow. He’s entirely his own person.
The Dog Who Ended a War
The ending of Howl’s Moving Castle is notoriously fast. It’s a whirlwind of falling stars, broken hearts, and sudden peace treaties. Amidst all that chaos, Heen is the one who provides the final "okay" to Madam Suliman.
Through a crystal ball or a magical vision, Suliman watches the group finally find happiness. She sees Heen among them. Heen looks back at the "camera"—at Suliman—and basically signals that the game is over. He’s the bridge between the world of the magical elite and the messy, beautiful reality of Howl’s family.
Suliman sees him and decides to "end this foolish war." It’s a huge moment for a character who doesn't have a single line of dialogue. It suggests that Heen wasn't just a spy, but perhaps Suliman’s only real friend, and his approval of Howl and Sophie was the only thing that could convince her to stop her conquest.
Is Heen Actually a Human?
This is a common theory among Ghibli fans. Given that the Witch of the Waste turned into a harmless old woman and Calcifer is a falling star, people often wonder if Heen is a cursed human.
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The short answer: probably not.
The long answer: in the original book by Diana Wynne Jones, there isn't really a "Heen." There is a dog-man character named Percival, but the movie changed so much of the source material that they are barely the same story. Miyazaki wanted a dog that represented the "everyman." Someone who is caught in the middle of a wizard’s war and just wants to find a comfortable place to sit. Heen is a dog, through and through. His "magic" is just his incredible ability to ignore orders.
How to Spot the Real Heen in the Wild
If you’re looking to find a real-life Howl's Moving Castle dog, you’re looking for a PBGV. But be warned: they are high-energy dogs. The movie portrays Heen as a lazy lump, but in reality, these dogs were bred to hunt hares in the thorny brambles of France. They need exercise. They need mental stimulation. They are not "apartment dogs" unless you plan on walking them for miles.
- Coat: Rough, wire-haired, and tri-color (usually white with orange/grey patches).
- Personality: Extroverted but independent.
- Sound: They don't bark; they bay. It’s a deep, musical sound that can carry for blocks.
The reason Heen is so slow in the movie is likely his age. He’s an old man. He’s retired. He’s earned the right to be carried up the stairs.
Why We Still Talk About Him
Heen works because he’s an anchor. Howl’s Moving Castle is a movie about shifting identities. Sophie changes age. Howl changes into a giant bird-monster. The house itself is a shapeshifting mess of wood and steam.
Heen is just Heen.
He is the constant. He provides a sense of grounding when the magic gets too intense. When the castle is literally falling apart, Heen is just trying to make sure he doesn't get stepped on. There’s something deeply human—and deeply relatable—about that. We are all Heen, trying to navigate a world of "wizards" and "wars" while just looking for a bit of sun to lie in.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore of the Howl's Moving Castle dog or the movie in general, here is what you should actually do:
- Read the Book: Pick up Diana Wynne Jones’ original novel. It’s vastly different. There is no Heen, but there is a character named Percival who will give you a completely different perspective on the "dog" role in the story.
- Watch the Background: On your next rewatch, stop watching Howl and Sophie. Watch Heen. Notice how he reacts to the Witch of the Waste. Notice how he interacts with Markl. He has a full character arc told entirely through background animation.
- Check Out the Concept Art: Look for the "Art of Howl’s Moving Castle" book. It shows the early sketches of Heen. You can see how they toyed with making him look even more like a human before settling on the shaggy dog design we love.
- Identify the Breed Traits: If you’re a dog lover, research the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. Seeing the real-world inspiration for Heen makes you appreciate the animation even more, especially the way he moves his ears and the specific "thump" he makes when he hits the floor.
Heen might not have the flashy magic of Howl or the emotional weight of Sophie, but he is the glue. He is the witness. Next time you see that wheezing little dog on screen, remember: he's the one who chose peace over power. And he did it all without saying a word.
Next Steps:
If you want to bring a bit of Heen into your own life, look for official Studio Ghibli merchandise specifically from the Donguri Kyowakoku shops (often available via proxy hunters). They occasionally release "weighted" Heen plushies that mimic his heavy, limp feel from the movie. Also, consider exploring the works of Mamoru Oshii—like Ghost in the Shell or Angel's Egg—to see if you can spot the resemblance that inspired Miyazaki's most famous canine creation.