The names of the Black Dogs are many and varied: In Scotland they are the Cu Sith; in Wales they are known as Gwiyllgi; On the Isle of Man they are called Mauthe Dhoog; In Ireland they are the Coinn Iotair. Other names include, Barghest, Ki Du, Gytrash, Padfoot, Rongeur d’Os, Saidhthe, Skirker, Suaraighe, and Trash.

Barghest (also Barguest, Barvest or Boguest; from German, Bahrgeist, “Spirit of the Bier”) – one of many Black Dogs of English and European myth, the Barghest can be small as a bull mastiff or as big as a bear. Covered in shaggy black fur, it has long fangs, pointed piercing claws, straight sharp horns, a firm bushy tail, and fiery red eyes. Seen around the northern English counties of Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, it only appears at night in specific locations, primarily fishing villages and churchyards. It is also sometimes described as a huge bear, a headless man or woman, or even a white rabbit, similar to the one Alice followed. The Barghest drags a clanking chain behind it, sometimes wrapping its body in it. The sighting of a Barghest is a guaranteed portent of disaster and misfortune.

Cu Sith (Gaelic, “Fairy Dog”; also Cir Sith or Ce Sith) – a monstrous Black Dog of the Scottish highlands, the Cu Sith is the size of a cow and covered with dark green fur. Its paws are bigger than hands and it carries its long braided tail coiled over its back like a saddle. The Cu Sith is as swift as the wind and hunts nocturnal wanderers on the moors, making a noise like a galloping horse and leaving huge footprints. Upon barking three times, it overtakes its prey and pulls it down. It is said to round up nursing mothers to supply fresh milk to infant fairies.

Freybug – A monstrous Black Dog that terrorized English country lanes in medieval times.










Galley-Trot (or Gilitrutt) – In the tradition of the Black Dogs of the British Isles, the Galley-Trot haunts the lonely roads of Dunwich and Woodbridge, and the Bathslough bog of Suffolk, harassing nocturnal travelers. This bullock-sized shaggy dog is white rather than its name sake.

Gwyllgi (also called the Dog of Darkness and the Black Hound of Destiny) – this is an enormous Welsh version of the typical British Isles Black Dog. The Gwyllgi is a giant mastiff that likes to pad along beside midnight travelers. The Gwyllgi seems to enjoy terrifying people, but otherwise does not pose much threat.

For more information you can visit this site.







Gytrash (also Guytrash, Brash, Trash) – A spectral Hellhound from the folklore of Lancashire and Yorkshire in Northern England, the Gytrash is a portent of imminent death and disaster. It is most often described as a huge Black Dog covered in thick shaggy fur and sporting a pair of saucer-sized red eyes that glow like embers. It walks with a splashing sound (“trash”) on webbed feet and terrorizes nocturnal travelers on lonely country roads. Sometimes it appears as a spectral horse or donkey.

Keelut – In Inuit folklore, it's a hairless version of the British Isles Black Dog. It haunts lonely regions of Polar Canada and Alaska, following and attacking nocturnal travelers.

Mauthe Dhoog (also known as Mauthe Doog, Moddey Dhoo) – A spectral Black Dog that haunted the corridors and battlements of Peel Castle on the Isle of Man in the 17th Century. It was described as an enormous spaniel the size of a calf with shaggy hair and eyes like pewter plates. It attacked anyone who saw it, killing them outright, or driving them mad. In 1871, the remains of Simon, Bishop of Sodor and Man (died 1247) were uncovered during excavations. The bones of a large dog were found at his feet. Speculations say that this could have very well been the original animal.

Oschaert - A spectral Black Dog with fiery red eyes. Sometimes appearing as a giant horse, it haunted the region around Hamme, near Duendemonde, Belgium, until it was banished by a local priest for 99 years. It would leap upon the backs of unwary travelers on lonely roads, growing heavier with each step until they could no longer move.

Padfoot (or Padfooits) - A spectral beast with glowing red eyes that haunts the moors around Leeds, in Northern England. The Padfoot may manifest as a massive sheep, a giant white dog, or even a monstrous black donkey. Its presence is announced by soft, padding footfalls that may be accompanied by the rattle of chains or a fierce roaring as the beast draws closer to its intended victim. As with any of the other Hellhounds, the Padfoot should not be touched or approached.

Rizos - A massive Black Dog with huge claws, found in modern Greek folklore. It haunts lonely roads at night, terrifying wanderers. It may attack if it is touched but usually it just vanishes.

Rongeur d'Os (French, "Gnawer of Bones") - A gigantic Black Dog in the folklore of Normandy, in northern France. As with all of its kind, it frightens nocturnal travelers on lonely roads.