Sandor Clegane

Killing is the sweetest thing there is.

Sandor Clegane, nicknamed 'The Hound,' is a fictional character in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series and its television adaptation, Game of Thrones. Introduced in the 1996 novel A Game of Thrones, he is the estranged younger brother of Ser Gregor Clegane. Standing over 6'8" (2 m) and weighing more than 300 lbs (140 kg), Sandor is a towering figure, though still smaller than his brother. His visage bears gruesome facial burns received in childhood when Gregor shoved his face into a brazier. This trauma instilled a crippling fear of fire and a fierce hatred for his brother. While initially appearing brutal and fatalistic, he later proves more honorable and compassionate, particularly through his relationships with Sansa and Arya Stark.

Quick Facts

Series

A Song of Ice and Fire character; Game of Thrones

Portrayed by

Rory McCann

Creator

George R. R. Martin

First

Literature:
A Game of Thrones (1996)
Television:
"Winter Is Coming" (2011)

Last

Literature:
A Feast for Crows (2005)
Television:
"The Bells" (2019)

Adapted by

D.B. Weiss & David Benioff (Game of Thrones)

Occupation

Royal bodyguard (formerly); Kingsguard (formerly)

Also known as

The Hound, Dog (derisively)

Lore & Background

Sandor Clegane serves as King Joffrey Baratheon's personal bodyguard and a retainer to House Lannister. He is regarded as one of the fiercest and strongest fighters in the Seven Kingdoms, yet he refuses knighthood, viewing the code of honor as hypocritical given his brother Gregor's nature as a sadist who delights in rape and bloodshed. Sandor is described as a tormented man driven by anger and post-traumatic stress from his childhood abuse. His story spans A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, and A Feast for Crows.

In the novels, he is not a point-of-view character; his actions are witnessed through Sansa and Arya Stark, as well as Ned Stark and Tyrion Lannister. He acts as Joffrey's sworn shield but deserts during the Battle of the Blackwater after witnessing widespread wildfire use. Later, he is captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners, defeats their leader Beric Dondarrion in trial by combat, and kidnaps Arya to ransom her to Robb Stark at Riverrun.

Reader's Guide

Portrayed by Scottish actor Rory McCann in the HBO adaptation, Sandor Clegane is introduced in Season 1 accompanying Robert Baratheon's court to Winterfell. He hunts down Mycah, a butcher's boy accused of attacking Joffrey, and leads the Lannister purge of Eddard Stark's men. Named to the Kingsguard, he continues to guard Sansa through her humiliation in Season 2, rescuing her from a riot before deserting at the Battle of the Blackwater. In Season 3, captured by the Brotherhood Without Banners, he is tried for murder but prevails against Beric Dondarrion, whose flaming sword he defeats.

He kidnaps Arya to ransom her, escaping the Red Wedding at the Twins. By Season 4, after learning Lysa Arryn has died, they attempt to travel to the Vale until Brienne of Tarth intercepts them. A duel ensues where Brienne knocks Clegane off a cliff, gravely wounding him. McCann also narrates the animated 'History and Lore' for House Clegane in the Blu-Ray bonus material.

Did You Know?

He refuses to become a Knight despite being named to the Kingsguard, rejecting the vows and code of honor.
In A Storm of Swords, Sandor kills three Frey knights while fighting his way out of the Red Wedding after knocking Arya unconscious.
The Elder Brother tells Brienne that he found Sandor moribund, but a mute gravedigger matching his physical description appears later, leaving his death unconfirmed.