Full Version: What are the black dogs?
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Ghosts, Hauntings & The Paranormal
I've read about their appearances, and the fact they can breathe fire and that, but what are their origins?
Here in Denmark they are from early medieval considered to be the devils helpers – I guess that makes them demons according to our folklore.
Black Dogs seem to generally be considered a negative entity or omen, from just about any country. Naturally in the US and England I think they're associated with familiars and "black magic" and smell like sulphur, etc. Sometimes they're normal sized, sometimes they're large enough to, with effort, step over pasture fences. My grandmother claims to have seen a large black dog running alongside the car on the highway (keeping pace) on her way to pick me up a few years back and then it disappeared (of course).
We have many tales of black dogs with red eyes, coming to a mansion when the (evil) local lord had died (supposedly to get his soul) and I remember reading a story of a black dog watching over the corpse, so they had to get a priest to banish the beast.
I remember a few years ago, I was driving by a cemetary and I saw this huge black dog just hanging around the graves. Ghostly or not, that was one huge dog.
I alays thought they were harbingers of death in the family of those they appeared to...
Stay away doggy stay!
I've always heard they were bad omens. When you see one, it usually means you or someone you love is going to die. I've also heard somewhere that they are like guardians. One I read about supposedly protected a treasure so no one would ever find it.
Here is some information it includes all the refrences so I don't get in trouble....lol
Black dogs have been widely reported in Great Britain, especially in England, and are generally considered to be mainly a British phenomenon (Bord & Bord, 1985). However, they have also been reported in various forms in Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Croatia, Scandinavia, the United States of America and Canada (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Black dogs are often associated with a particular place or area (Miller, 1984). Black dogs have also been reported at places associated with violent crimes (Miller, 1984). Types of places associated with appearances of black dogs include: roads, crossroads, lanes, footpaths, bridges, gateways, doorways, staircases, boundaries, fields, hedges, green lanes, treasure sites, wayside burials, graves and gallows, wells and trees (Brown, 1958, 1978; Bord & Bord, 1985). Black dogs are often encountered near water, e.g. the sea, ponds, and bridges over streams or rivers (Bord & Bord, 1985). However, Bord & Bord (1985) note that "there are very few places in Britain where one is very far away from water (except in times of drought!)" (p.98). Bord and Bord (1985) theorised that black dogs might patrol ley lines and dis/appear at various ley points such as churchyards, prehistoric remains and ancient trackways.
Black dogs are usually seen at night (Bord & Bord, 1985) though sightings have taken place in daylight (Brown, 1978). They are usually experienced outside, often in lonely rural settings, although a few accounts of encounters inside houses have been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985). In some cases the percipient was making their way home alone at night. Percipients may report that they suddenly become aware of a black dog trotting along beside them (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
3. Characteristics of the apparitions
It has been suggested that the appearance of the apparition might be influenced by the percipients’ psychological disposition and their repertoire of images and symbols (Brown, 1978; Miller, 1984). The main ways that black dog apparitions differ from normal dogs is in terms of their size, their eyes and their behaviour (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Colour Usually black though white, yellow and grey apparitions have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Coat Shaggy or curly are terms often used, though glossy, smooth, gleaming, soft and bristly coats have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Miller, 1984).
Size Often described as being bigger than an ordinary dog and often about the size of a calf (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Head Headless dogs have been reported in Dartmoor, Cumbria, Sussex, Shropshire, Suffolk, Devon and Norfolk (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Farson, 1978). Two-headed dogs are occasionally reported also (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Sometimes black dogs with the head and limbs of other animals or a human or with body parts missing have been reported (Brown, 1958; McEwan, 1986).
Eyes Often reported as being fiery or flaming, glowing or blazing (usually red) (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984). The eyes are often reported as being rather large and ‘as big as saucers’(Brown, 1958; Miller, 1984). One-eyed apparitions have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958).
Mouth Foaming and slavering mouths have been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985). Sometimes the dogs are reported to have foul-smelling or vaporous breath (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Teeth Black dogs have been reported as having large long teeth and sometimes appear to be grinning at the percipient (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Sounds Sometimes the apparitions may be silent, at other times the sound of their feet may be heard (Bord & Bord, 1985). Few black dogs bark or growl and rarer still are those that laugh or speak; the Lancashire Skriker is so-called because of its screams (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Rudkin, 1938). Sometimes the sound of chains is reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Occasionally black dogs may be heard or felt but not seen (Bord & Bord, 1985; Rudkin, 1938).
Behaviour Most black dogs either vanish or gradually fade from sight (Bord & Bord, 1985. Descriptions of the vanishing vary; sometimes the apparition vanishes if the percipient’s attention wanders or if the percipient attempts to touch it; alternatively the dog appears to sink into the earth or may disappear with a flash or explosion (Bord & Bord, 1985. Appearances in East Anglia are often accompanied by lightning, fire and explosions (McEwan, 1986). There are reports of dog apparitions walking on their hind-legs (Brown, 1958. There are also descriptions of dogs which increase or decrease in size (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Some black dogs appear to be able to change form into a human or another animal (Bord & Bord, 1985). Black dogs are often seen to walk through solid objects (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Black dogs have been widely reported in Great Britain, especially in England, and are generally considered to be mainly a British phenomenon (Bord & Bord, 1985). However, they have also been reported in various forms in Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Croatia, Scandinavia, the United States of America and Canada (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Black dogs are often associated with a particular place or area (Miller, 1984). Black dogs have also been reported at places associated with violent crimes (Miller, 1984). Types of places associated with appearances of black dogs include: roads, crossroads, lanes, footpaths, bridges, gateways, doorways, staircases, boundaries, fields, hedges, green lanes, treasure sites, wayside burials, graves and gallows, wells and trees (Brown, 1958, 1978; Bord & Bord, 1985). Black dogs are often encountered near water, e.g. the sea, ponds, and bridges over streams or rivers (Bord & Bord, 1985). However, Bord & Bord (1985) note that "there are very few places in Britain where one is very far away from water (except in times of drought!)" (p.98). Bord and Bord (1985) theorised that black dogs might patrol ley lines and dis/appear at various ley points such as churchyards, prehistoric remains and ancient trackways.
Black dogs are usually seen at night (Bord & Bord, 1985) though sightings have taken place in daylight (Brown, 1978). They are usually experienced outside, often in lonely rural settings, although a few accounts of encounters inside houses have been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985). In some cases the percipient was making their way home alone at night. Percipients may report that they suddenly become aware of a black dog trotting along beside them (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
3. Characteristics of the apparitions
It has been suggested that the appearance of the apparition might be influenced by the percipients’ psychological disposition and their repertoire of images and symbols (Brown, 1978; Miller, 1984). The main ways that black dog apparitions differ from normal dogs is in terms of their size, their eyes and their behaviour (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Colour Usually black though white, yellow and grey apparitions have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Coat Shaggy or curly are terms often used, though glossy, smooth, gleaming, soft and bristly coats have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Miller, 1984).
Size Often described as being bigger than an ordinary dog and often about the size of a calf (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984).
Head Headless dogs have been reported in Dartmoor, Cumbria, Sussex, Shropshire, Suffolk, Devon and Norfolk (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Farson, 1978). Two-headed dogs are occasionally reported also (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Sometimes black dogs with the head and limbs of other animals or a human or with body parts missing have been reported (Brown, 1958; McEwan, 1986).
Eyes Often reported as being fiery or flaming, glowing or blazing (usually red) (Bord & Bord, 1985; Miller, 1984). The eyes are often reported as being rather large and ‘as big as saucers’(Brown, 1958; Miller, 1984). One-eyed apparitions have also been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958).
Mouth Foaming and slavering mouths have been reported (Bord & Bord, 1985). Sometimes the dogs are reported to have foul-smelling or vaporous breath (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Teeth Black dogs have been reported as having large long teeth and sometimes appear to be grinning at the percipient (Bord & Bord, 1985).
Sounds Sometimes the apparitions may be silent, at other times the sound of their feet may be heard (Bord & Bord, 1985). Few black dogs bark or growl and rarer still are those that laugh or speak; the Lancashire Skriker is so-called because of its screams (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958; Rudkin, 1938). Sometimes the sound of chains is reported (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Occasionally black dogs may be heard or felt but not seen (Bord & Bord, 1985; Rudkin, 1938).
Behaviour Most black dogs either vanish or gradually fade from sight (Bord & Bord, 1985. Descriptions of the vanishing vary; sometimes the apparition vanishes if the percipient’s attention wanders or if the percipient attempts to touch it; alternatively the dog appears to sink into the earth or may disappear with a flash or explosion (Bord & Bord, 1985. Appearances in East Anglia are often accompanied by lightning, fire and explosions (McEwan, 1986). There are reports of dog apparitions walking on their hind-legs (Brown, 1958. There are also descriptions of dogs which increase or decrease in size (Bord & Bord, 1985; Brown, 1958). Some black dogs appear to be able to change form into a human or another animal (Bord & Bord, 1985). Black dogs are often seen to walk through solid objects (Bord & Bord, 1985).
I've read that they are mostly what othe guys said, harbingers of doom or ill omens to the people that saw them. But there were cases that these dogs saved people from marshes or led them through snow covered forests to civilazation and not let them die from cold.
But there where alson stories about black dogs that attacked people or churches during the congregation. One such story was about a dog in Essex in the 16th century. The burn marks from it's fiery breath can still be seen on the church doors. There was also the story of "Black Sack", a black dog that looked more like a huge wolf rather than a dog and used to run in a frenzy on an old Romean country road in England.
An other legend is that black dogs are associated with old cemeteries. When they build up a new cemetery they thought that the first being buried there, used to be the guardian of this place for the rest of his afterlife, so, for not condemning a human being in haunting the cemeteries, they used to bury a dog near a specific entryway (I don't remember which one but I recall that they used to call it "The Devil's Gate") to guard it for eternity. I'll check that book and I'll come back to ya.
Fhtagn.
Edit:
Velishka got me
But there where alson stories about black dogs that attacked people or churches during the congregation. One such story was about a dog in Essex in the 16th century. The burn marks from it's fiery breath can still be seen on the church doors. There was also the story of "Black Sack", a black dog that looked more like a huge wolf rather than a dog and used to run in a frenzy on an old Romean country road in England.
An other legend is that black dogs are associated with old cemeteries. When they build up a new cemetery they thought that the first being buried there, used to be the guardian of this place for the rest of his afterlife, so, for not condemning a human being in haunting the cemeteries, they used to bury a dog near a specific entryway (I don't remember which one but I recall that they used to call it "The Devil's Gate") to guard it for eternity. I'll check that book and I'll come back to ya.
Fhtagn.
Edit:
Velishka got me
well... i think black dogs are mammals. they are from the canine family, and walk on four legs, and have fur. they are black because of many reason, mostly genetics. my friend has a black dog. its a bulldog. let me assure you, it does not breath fire out of his nose, mouth, ass, or anywhere else. you walk near it, and it snorts, and runs to you. it jumps on you and starts licking you. im pretty sure its not a demon, but if it was, thats a nice demon.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
In the Aboriginal communities they say never look a black dog in the eyes for it can bring bad luck and sickness to your loved ones.
I was taking my Rottie for a walk one day, and old Aboriginal elder told me my dog was of " A dreaming story".
He smiled, yet still would not look at my dog directly. "Spooked me a little".
I was taking my Rottie for a walk one day, and old Aboriginal elder told me my dog was of " A dreaming story".
He smiled, yet still would not look at my dog directly. "Spooked me a little".
QUOTE(When Black Roses Bloom @ Sep 2 2007, 01:02 AM) 
I've read that they are mostly what othe guys said, harbingers of doom or ill omens to the people that saw them. But there were cases that these dogs saved people from marshes or led them through snow covered forests to civilazation and not let them die from cold.
But there where alson stories about black dogs that attacked people or churches during the congregation. One such story was about a dog in Essex in the 16th century. The burn marks from it's fiery breath can still be seen on the church doors. There was also the story of "Black Sack", a black dog that looked more like a huge wolf rather than a dog and used to run in a frenzy on an old Romean country road in England.
An other legend is that black dogs are associated with old cemeteries. When they build up a new cemetery they thought that the first being buried there, used to be the guardian of this place for the rest of his afterlife, so, for not condemning a human being in haunting the cemeteries, they used to bury a dog near a specific entryway (I don't remember which one but I recall that they used to call it "The Devil's Gate") to guard it for eternity. I'll check that book and I'll come back to ya.
Fhtagn.
Edit:
Velishka got me
But there where alson stories about black dogs that attacked people or churches during the congregation. One such story was about a dog in Essex in the 16th century. The burn marks from it's fiery breath can still be seen on the church doors. There was also the story of "Black Sack", a black dog that looked more like a huge wolf rather than a dog and used to run in a frenzy on an old Romean country road in England.
An other legend is that black dogs are associated with old cemeteries. When they build up a new cemetery they thought that the first being buried there, used to be the guardian of this place for the rest of his afterlife, so, for not condemning a human being in haunting the cemeteries, they used to bury a dog near a specific entryway (I don't remember which one but I recall that they used to call it "The Devil's Gate") to guard it for eternity. I'll check that book and I'll come back to ya.
Fhtagn.
Edit:
Velishka got me
QUOTE(Snake022 @ Sep 2 2007, 03:05 AM)
well... i think black dogs are mammals. they are from the canine family, and walk on four legs, and have fur. they are black because of many reason, mostly genetics. my friend has a black dog. its a bulldog. let me assure you, it does not breath fire out of his nose, mouth, ass, or anywhere else. you walk near it, and it snorts, and runs to you. it jumps on you and starts licking you. im pretty sure its not a demon, but if it was, thats a nice demon.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
Lol....I had a black dog too.
QUOTE(Snake022 @ Sep 1 2007, 10:05 PM)
well... i think black dogs are mammals. they are from the canine family, and walk on four legs, and have fur. they are black because of many reason, mostly genetics. my friend has a black dog. its a bulldog. let me assure you, it does not breath fire out of his nose, mouth, ass, or anywhere else. you walk near it, and it snorts, and runs to you. it jumps on you and starts licking you. im pretty sure its not a demon, but if it was, thats a nice demon.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
ever think that they are just stray dark fur dogs? if someone sees a black dog, and gets hit by a car, how do you know it was the black dog. he could have stepped on a crack, or made fun or an elderly person, or stole a candy bar. but then again, i have seen a black dog, stolen candy bars, but nothing ever happened to me. i have never really heard of a case where someone has died after they had seen a black dog, yea, there is stories, but if there any news reports, records, or pictures or videos. no, i have not seen one.
That was great! I am partial to black dogs myself!
QUOTE(Atanerpmav @ Sep 2 2007, 03:17 AM)
In the Aboriginal communities they say never look a black dog in the eyes for it can bring bad luck and sickness to your loved ones.
I was taking my Rottie for a walk one day, and old Aboriginal elder told me my dog was of " A dreaming story".
He smiled, yet still would not look at my dog directly. "Spooked me a little".
I was taking my Rottie for a walk one day, and old Aboriginal elder told me my dog was of " A dreaming story".
He smiled, yet still would not look at my dog directly. "Spooked me a little".
LOL Imagine what it did to you doggie?
QUOTE(JustNormal @ Sep 2 2007, 01:54 PM)
LOL Imagine what it did to you doggie?
LOL!
Truth is I had to get out of there quick smart, whilst the old fella was telling his story and waving his walking stick around, Caesa Romero lunged at him growling. I was so embarassed..........
QUOTE(JustNormal @ Sep 2 2007, 04:24 AM)
LOL Imagine what it did to you doggie?
hahahahaha
I thought that Led Zepplin cleared up this question.
Harte
Harte
a dog they call black shuck attacked a church in Blythburgh, suffolk, it attacked a few people while running down the isle black shuck killed a man and a boy and the part of the church collaspsed, it left scortched marks on the door which are still there
Black Dogs are my pet (pardon the pun) subject.
A few years ago I did a lot of research into the ethnic backgrounds of the people who have seen black dogs, and the communities where they live, suggesting to me that they are some sort of inherited 'folk memory' or in the 'universal subconscious' as Jung called it.
I posted it up on here somewhere.......*rummages about*....but I can't seem to find it
Anyhoo - the upshot of this post is that people are still claiming to encounter these things - and no, they are not all omens of death or disaster. I'll try to dig out my old bits & pieces......
A few years ago I did a lot of research into the ethnic backgrounds of the people who have seen black dogs, and the communities where they live, suggesting to me that they are some sort of inherited 'folk memory' or in the 'universal subconscious' as Jung called it.
I posted it up on here somewhere.......*rummages about*....but I can't seem to find it
Anyhoo - the upshot of this post is that people are still claiming to encounter these things - and no, they are not all omens of death or disaster. I'll try to dig out my old bits & pieces......
QUOTE(Blueguardian @ Sep 2 2007, 05:43 AM)
a dog they call black shuck attacked a church in Blythburgh, suffolk, it attacked a few people while running down the isle black shuck killed a man and a boy and the part of the church collaspsed, it left scortched marks on the door which are still there
whoa creepy
Is this "black dog" related to the Greek mythology "Cerberus" ?
Cerberus is the dog who guard the gate to Hades.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus
Cerberus is the dog who guard the gate to Hades.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerberus
I vaugly recall a Derbyshire myth about the 'black dog'... it appeared when someone had a big problem or worry on their mind.. usually associated with death. A sort of personal 'doom'. However, it could be dispelled by resolving whatever the problem/worry was.
Meow Purr.
Meow Purr.
Well, according to my readings in the past, black dogs normally appear when an individual's death is imminent. That's what I've read.
i consider them as dogs with black fur.
really, i could try to summon a servitor that looked like black dog, and send it to england in quest to try start new legends and spice up old one.
seriously i think it's only old folk tale
really, i could try to summon a servitor that looked like black dog, and send it to england in quest to try start new legends and spice up old one.
seriously i think it's only old folk tale
QUOTE(shadow_flame @ Sep 2 2007, 08:38 AM)
i consider them as dogs with black fur.
really, i could try to summon a servitor that looked like black dog, and send it to england in quest to try start new legends and spice up old one.
seriously i think it's only old folk tale
really, i could try to summon a servitor that looked like black dog, and send it to england in quest to try start new legends and spice up old one.
seriously i think it's only old folk tale
The chances of it being old folk talk are pretty high, however, that doesn't take the fact that it's interesting away from it.
QUOTE(Alienated Being @ Sep 2 2007, 12:24 PM)
The chances of it being old folk talk are pretty high, however, that doesn't take the fact that it's interesting away from it.
i agree "everything is possible, but not probable" is pretty good motto, and it applies in this situation
When I was younger I heard a story about my cousin's wife. She had been going through a lot of personal hardships, and one time when she was home alone she felt a very uneasy feeling as if she were being watched. She looked out the window and saw a huge black dog. It was some distance away from the window, but was looking directly at her. She said it terrified her. Around this same time she also claimed she saw Satan (or something that looked like what we generally think is Satan) standing in her bathtub, grinning and motioning for her to come to him.
QUOTE(dancin'hamster @ Sep 2 2007, 01:39 AM)
Black Dogs are my pet (pardon the pun) subject.
Is this it?
In South Africa many of the rural indigenous people seem generally to be very afraid of black dogs. I wonder why this is or if these legends have made their way into Africa perhaps...?
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