Wolfos

Wolfos are canine enemies that are typically found in forests. They are most commonly represented by the White Wolfos, which lives in icy climates. Originally, they were shown with a pseudo-bipedal gorilla-like stance, befitting most creatures with the "-fos" suffix in their names walking on two legs. Later appearances, however, show them as wholly quadrupedal like real wolves.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Wolfos constantly howl as they move and seem to simply grow from the ground when they appear. They run around Link before running at him and slashing with their paws, doing a half-rotation away from him. If Link attacks while they are facing him, they tend to guard with their claws or backflip away. Otherwise they can be damaged, with attacks to the tail dealing the most damage. Young Link can defeat them in one hit by Jump Attacking the tail with the Kokiri Sword. The first one to appear is on the initial visit to the Sacred Forest Meadow, and as such can be the first enemy Link encounters if the player goes out of their way for it. Defeating it causes some bars to lower, allowing further entry. When he is an adult, Wolfos appear in the first room of the Forest Temple, in the Spirit Temple, and in the "forest" portion of Ganon's Castle.

White Wolfos are slightly larger, stronger, and more durable than normal Wolfos, and first appear as a miniboss in the Ice Cavern. Later, they appear as normal enemies in the optional Gerudo's Training Ground.

In Master Quest, Wolfos of both colors only appear as normal enemies, with the original miniboss battle in the Ice Cavern being replaced with a Stalfos fight. Additionally, in one room it is possible to trick a White Wolfos into backflipping into a bottomless pit, where it will simply walk along an invisible floor and continue to act as normal, only being defeatable through methods such as bombs.

The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
In The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, Wolfos look and act the same as previously. They appear in the vicinity of Southern Swamp, with a few also appearing in Woodfall Temple. White Wolfos appear around Snowhead in the winter, with a few more in Snowhead Temple. All the ones outside are replaced with normal ones in spring. Additionally, a normal Wolfos appears as the final obstacle of Sakon's Hideout.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
In The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, only White Wolfos appear, having a more realistic stance and appearing in the Peak Province, being in both the initial climb of Snowpeak and the inner courtyard of Snowpeak Ruins. They act more like real wolves as well, attacking in packs and charging at Link with their teeth bared. However, they also often dive into snow and leap back out to ambush him. If enough are defeated, the others will temporarily fall back.

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
In The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, White Wolfos appear across the Snow Realm, being around Anouki Village before the patrol is set up, the Snow Sanctuary, as a group miniboss in the Snow Temple, at Wellspring Station, and at Snowdrift Station. They act mostly like they do in Twilight Princess, but do not attack from the snow. They sometimes dive back into the snow if far from their spawning point, where they will reappear if approached. They retain their ability to dodge back from Link's swipes, but no longer flip when doing so. They appear in groups of two to four.

Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda
In Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer featuring The Legend of Zelda, Wolfos appear as enemies that change behavior depending on whether or not the player character is looking at them, and mostly appear in the forest. They appear in normal, black, white, and red, colors, all of which are the same size. They leap towards the player character in any of the eight directions every other beat to attack, but will only do so if not being looked at. Otherwise, they will keep their distance. They often appear in large packs, however. Their behavior is recycled from the Hellhound enemies in the original .

Additionally, a White Wolfos puppy appears as someone's pet in Kakariko Village. If the player interacts with it, the character will pet it and it will yip contentedly.