It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
Smeargle is best known for its ability to use the move Sketch, which permanently copies the last move used by the opponent. Due to this, it can legitimately have any move in the Pokémon games except for Chatter, and it can pass on any Egg move to Pokémon in the Field Egg Group.
Smeargle are beagle-like, bipedal white and brown Pokémon that seem unremarkable at first, but they possess a long tail with an end that resembles a paintbrush. This paintbrush oozes with paint, and the color of the paint is apparently different for each Smeargle. Although sprites from the game depict green, brown and red, the anime also shows yellow and blue. It's been implied that each Smeargle has a different colored tail.
Smeargle each have a footprint on their backs that have the same color as the tail-tip. Smeargle also have a round structure on their heads with a point that resembles a beret in shape, with floppy, brown colored ears and a brown colored ‘collar’ on their necks. The rings encircling a Smeargle’s eyes are also brown, as are Smeargle’s eyelids. Their arms have two brown bands, and their legs only one, and each of the limbs have three digits, the fingers apparently being dexterous.
Gender differences
None.
Special abilities
Smeargle secretes a fluid from its tail, which can be used as paint. Smeargle is the only Pokémon known to express itself in an artistic fashion. Smeargle is also the only Pokémon that can learn nearly any move permanently (with the exception of Struggle and Chatter) thanks to its signature move, Sketch.
Behavior
Smeargle live in groups. When a Smeargle reaches adulthood, the other members of the group draw a paw-print pattern on its back. Those who refuse to let themselves be marked are ostracized from the pack.
Smeargle are very adaptable, and can live just about anywhere. One can always tell when a Smeargle's territory is found because it will mark the boundary with the paint-like substance excreted by its tail.
Pokémon Channel: A Smeargle appears in a television program called Smeargle's Art Study. He will rate the painting hanging on the player's bedroom wall, namely a picture the player made.
Smeargle marks the boundaries of its territory using a body fluid that leaks out from the tip of its tail. Over 5,000 different marks left by this Pokémon have been found.
A Smeargle marks its territory using a fluid that leaks out from the tip of its tail. About 5,000 different marks left by this Pokémon have been found.
Hidden Power-evaluating NPCs cannot identify the type of Smeargle's Hidden Power even if Smeargle possesses the move, due to being unable to use the TM for it.
Smeargle is the only Pokémon capable of learning the same move more than twice - some Pokémon have the same move available at level 1 as well as by leveling up, while Smeargle has the same move available ten times as it levels up.
Initially, the normal sprite of Smeargle featured a tail tipped with red paint, while the Shiny form had green paint; this was changed in later generations, reversing the colors. However, Smeargle's art has always featured a green-tipped tail.
In 3D games, Smeargle's tail is red for the normal Smeargle and green for the Shiny version, despite the corresponding handheld games.
In the anime, Smeargle have been seen with different colored-tipped tails.
Smeargle appears to be based on a beagle and a painter.
Name origin
Smeargle may be a combination of smear and beagle.
Doble may be a combination of dog and doodle or dabble (to splatter liquid, which could be a reference to paint being splattered). Doble also means double in Spanish, perhaps referencing Smeargle's ability to copy opponent's techniques.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Smeargle images on Bulbagarden Archives.
