Mythical dogs are often seen as companion animals to gods, goddesses, and heroes. They are also portrayed as scary and foreboding animals that stalk the night.
Others are used to escort gods or kings on their hunting sprees. However, in Greek mythology, dogs were considered sacred. Of course, as humans, we simply adore dogs and tend to keep them as pets.
Unlike our beloved canine friends, mythical dogs are unfriendly creatures who tend to scare humans and other beings. Mythical dogs are mostly known for protection, battle, and hunting. Read on to find out more about the different types of mythical dogs.
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Black Shuck
The Black Shuck is a ghostly mythical dog that is said to trail the English coastline. It is sometimes called Old Shock, Old Shuck, or Shuck.
He is often portrayed as a big black dog with flaming eyes that is bound to send shivers down the spine of whoever sees it.
Black Shuck prefers to live in cemeteries, forests, coastlines, crossroads, and close to bodies of water.
Since he is creepy and fear provoking, he tends to stay away from humans.
Barghest
Barghest is a monstrous dog, sometimes known as Bo-guest, Bargtjest, Bargeist, Barguist, or Barguest. It is said that this mythological canine dwells in the north of England, particularly near Yorkshire.
It has the capacity to change forms and is believed to be surrounded by many legends.
Some people believe that the Barghest can sometimes foretell death. When it lays across the threshold of your home, it signifies death in your household.
Cerberus
This is the multi-headed canine that guards the doorway to the underworld, in Roman and Greek mythology. Multi-headed dogs create quite a shocking yet fascinating image in the mind. This dog is intended to scare and protect the underworld, which may explain its unusual appearance.
It is often portrayed with three heads joining at the neck, and is believed to prevent the dead from escaping the underworld.
It is also meant to stop the living from accessing the world of the dead.
Argos
Argos is Odysseus’ faithful dog in Homer’s Odyssey. He is depicted as having such a close relationship with his master that, even after 20 years apart, he was able to recognize his master when he came back home disguised as someone else.
It is said that when Odyssey came back home, Argos wagged his tail but didn’t stand up to greet him. When he refused to let his disguise go, but instead passed by Argos, he died shortly afterwards.
Axehandle Hound
This dog is depicted in the early lumberjack folklore as one of the most fearsome critters. He is portrayed with a handle shaped body and has a head shaped like an axe blade.
It is said that Axehandle’s main diet was axe handles. This may be a strange diet for a dog, but he is a mythical dog after all.
Last Remark
There are a number of mythical dogs that are usually portrayed as black in color, with fear inducing eyes and strangely shaped bodies.
Mythical dogs have appeared in many stories over the years. They are fascinating creatures with many different meanings. A majority of mythical dogs are perceived as unfriendly and scary.
They are very different from the friendly dogs that we know and love today. In history, these mythical dogs were used to protect gods and goddesses, guard entrances to territories, and go hunting with their bosses. They had mean looking faces that kept enemies and other dangerous animals at bay.