OKAY BITCHES LETS TALK ABOUT THE HOUND!
If you aren’t caught up w/ Vol 8: of RWBY Ignore this.
Lots of theories about how come this bitch can do what it does.
1- It is smarter than the average bear, or Grimm in this case. It can think tactically and come up with strategies. Which as Jaune states, Grimm aren’t smart enough to do, even older Grimm can’t normally think of tactical shit like that.
2- It can adapt its body as needed. When it needed to be able to grab Oscar and stand, it developed a bipedal stance, opposable thumbs and ditigrade legs. When it needed a quick escape it grew wings. We can also infer that these adaptations are A) Painful due to its screams as it grew wings and B) Varying in time depending on complexity, wings took much longer than arms or legs.
3- It can speak, the extent of this is unknown as it said only one word, but as it was a RESPONSE to a command, it can be inferred that it can process language and understand simple sentences at least.
I have seen a lot of theories that The Hound is a reference to The Big Bad Wolf that “ate grandma up” grandma in this case being Summer Rose. Suggesting that The Hound is a hybrid Grimm made from Summer.
I propose a more thematically relevant hybrid. This Volume seems as if Neo will be playing a more forefront role and is having serious doubts about her path. It would make sense for it to be someone Neo knows. Someone who’s body Salem would have access to.
I propose the hybrid is none other than:
Now, before we throw my theory out to the wolves, consider what we know about The Hound.
1-Despite Being A Grimm, it thinks tactically and can develop strategies quickly. While Torchwick is shown as little more than a stooge in Cinder’s eyes. It is undeniably that he has been a notorious criminal and crime boss for a long time. At least before Cinder Contacted him.
2- It’s Adaptability. The Hound can adapt and overcome obstacles. Roman is a man with no Semblance discovered who was constantly forced to get more creative and adapt to the situation. His entire motto is “Lie, Cheat, Steal and Survive”
3- It can talk. Now, while this can supply evidence to any hybrid, the voice of the Grimm is decidedly male. I could be wrong, but that is what I hear at least.
Finally, when we saw Roman die, he was swallowed whole by a Griffon, if Salem had that Grimm return, she would have had a mostly intact Torchwick to use.