The best replacement for growlithe is vulpix.

The best alternatives to growlithe are rated as following:
★★★★★  vulpix
★★★★  arcanine
★★★★  magby
★★★★  houndour
★★★★  charmander
★★★  magmar heartgold
★★★  flareon
★★  cyndaquil
★★  torchic
★★  ponyta
★★  magmar
★  darumaka
★  quilava
★  houndoom
★  tepig
★  rapidash

Your alternative for growlithe is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about growlithe, one probably shouldn't forget about flash fire.

Other search terms related to growlithe and their ratings are:
★★★★★ flash fire
You have in mind a companion for growlithe and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of growlithe in all years. Click on graph for more.
growlithe
vulpix
arcanine