======Jing Gou======
=====Creature Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Magical Beast]]
  * **Native To:** China (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)
  * **Appearance:** Large, canine-like creature with stripes similar to a tiger (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)
  * **Distinguishing Features:** Utilized as magical guardians; capable of detecting the "unworthy" (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald)
=====Description and Abilities=====
The Jing Gou is a large, formidable [[magical beast]] native to China. Described in the screenplay for //Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald// as a striped, canine-like creature, its visual depiction in the film adaptation is more feline, resembling a large, muscular tiger.
The primary known ability of the Jing Gou is its use as a highly effective security measure. They are stationed within the French [[Ministry of Magic]] to guard sensitive areas, specifically the ancestral records room which contains the Lestrange family tree. They are capable of magically sensing or "detecting the unworthy," preventing unauthorized individuals from passing (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald). Despite their intimidating presence and dangerous role, they retain some canine instincts; [[Newt Scamander]] was able to distract a pack of them with a simple squeaking toy, demonstrating a degree of playfulness or susceptibility to mundane diversions (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald).
=====History and Known Encounters=====
The Jing Gou is not mentioned in the original seven //Harry Potter// novels. Its only known appearance occurs during the events of 1927.
In their attempt to retrieve the Lestrange family records from the French [[Ministry of Magic]], [[Newt Scamander]] and [[Tina Goldstein]] encountered several Jing Gou guarding the entrance to the records room. While the beasts initially posed a significant threat, blocking their path, Newt successfully bypassed them by tossing a squeaking toy, which immediately captured the creatures' attention and allowed the pair to slip past unnoticed (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald).
=====Etymology=====
The name "Jing Gou" is of Chinese origin.
  * **Jing (精):** This character can be translated as "spirit," "essence," or "sprite."
  * **Gou (狗):** This character translates directly to "dog."
Combined, the name can be interpreted as "Spirit Dog" or "Essence Dog," which reflects its role as a magical guardian beast with supernatural senses.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * The Jing Gou is a creature introduced to the wizarding world through the //Fantastic Beasts// film series and does not appear in the original books by J.K. Rowling. Its existence and characteristics are sourced from the screenplay and film adaptation of //Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald//.
  * While its name contains the Chinese word for "dog" (狗, gǒu), its on-screen appearance is distinctly more cat-like, resembling a tiger. This may be an artistic choice to make the creature appear more threatening as a guardian.