<P> In initial development , the plot followed the original novel closely , but about halfway through production Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois , the writer - directors of Disney 's Lilo & Stitch , took over as co-directors and it was altered . The original plot was described as , `` heavily loyal to the book '' , but was regarded as being too `` sweet '' and `` whimsical '' as well as geared towards a too - young demographic , according to Baruchel . In the novel , Hiccup 's dragon , Toothless , is a Common or Garden Dragon , a small breed . In the film , Toothless is a Night Fury , the rarest of all dragons , and is large enough to serve as a flying mount for both Hiccup and Astrid . The filmmakers hired cinematographer Roger Deakins ( known for frequently collaborating with the Coen brothers ) as a visual consultant to help them with lighting and overall look of the film and to `` add a live - action feel '' . Extensive research was done to depict both flight , as the directors knew they would be the biggest draw of the film 's 3D effects , and fire , given animation could break away from the limitations seen in live - action films , where propane flames are usual due to being easier to extinguish . The dragons ' design made sure to create animals that were comical and also innovative compared to other dragon fiction . Toothless in particular tried to combine various dragon traits in a black panther - inspired design , that also had large ears and eyes to convey emotion better . </P>
<P> In initial development , the plot followed the original novel closely , but about halfway through production Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois , the writer - directors of Disney 's Lilo & Stitch , took over as co-directors and it was altered . The original plot was described as , `` heavily loyal to the book '' , but was regarded as being too `` sweet '' and `` whimsical '' as well as geared towards a too - young demographic , according to Baruchel . In the novel , Hiccup 's dragon , Toothless , is a Common or Garden Dragon , a small breed . In the film , Toothless is a Night Fury , the rarest of all dragons , and is large enough to serve as a flying mount for both Hiccup and Astrid . The filmmakers hired cinematographer Roger Deakins ( known for frequently collaborating with the Coen brothers ) as a visual consultant to help them with lighting and overall look of the film and to `` add a live - action feel '' . Extensive research was done to depict both flight , as the directors knew they would be the biggest draw of the film 's 3D effects , and fire , given animation could break away from the limitations seen in live - action films , where propane flames are usual due to being easier to extinguish . The dragons ' design made sure to create animals that were comical and also innovative compared to other dragon fiction . Toothless in particular tried to combine various dragon traits in a black panther - inspired design , that also had large ears and eyes to convey emotion better . </P>
who is the dragon in how to train your dragon
who is the dragon in how to train your dragon
Toothless
Toothless