Mythological Dogs from Around the World

Dogs have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, and their presence can be seen in many mythological stories from around the world. They're often depicted as loyal companions, fierce protectors, and sometimes even supernatural beings.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, dogs were associated with the god Anubis, who was believed to guide souls to the afterlife. This is evident in the article's section on Egyptian mythology.

The ancient Greeks also revered dogs, often depicting them as guardians of the underworld. In Greek mythology, the three-headed dog Cerberus was tasked with keeping the gates of the underworld closed. This is a testament to the importance of dogs in ancient Greek culture.

From fierce protectors to loyal companions, dogs have played a significant role in shaping human culture and mythology.

Egyptian Mythology is a rich and fascinating world of canine gods and goddesses.

The Egyptian god Anubis is often depicted as a jackal or a dog, and was associated with mummification and the afterlife.

In Egyptian mythology, the god Osiris was killed by his brother Set, and his body was cut into pieces and scattered across the land, much like a dog's fragmented remains after a brutal attack.

The Egyptians revered the dog as a symbol of loyalty and protection, which is reflected in their mythological stories and artwork.

Anubis is the god of death in Egyptian mythology, and he's associated with the head of a jackal. Jackals are wild dogs native to Africa that are known for eating dead animals.

The ancient Egyptians recognized the important role jackals play in the ecosystem, and they're a vital part of the cycle of life and death. This understanding is reflected in their pantheon of gods.

Anubis is one of the better known Death Dogs, also known as Jackal Gods. He's not the only one, though - he was often assisted by other gods like Wepwawet and Duamutef.

The addition of Anubis and other Death Dogs to the Egyptian pantheon is unclear, but it's believed to have started sometime between 5,200 and 3,100 BC.

The Okuri-Inu is a Japanese demon dog that's said to follow travelers on their journey. This might sound comforting, but there's a catch.

If you stumble while walking, the Okuri-Inu will see it as a sign that you're tired and try to eat you. To avoid becoming dinner, you need to convince the demon dog that your stumbling was intentional.

To do this, you can say something like, "This is exhausting" or "Quite glad I stopped on purpose to check out this mud puddle." This will supposedly fool the Okuri-Inu into thinking you're just taking a break.

If you reach your destination safely, you're supposed to give thanks to the Okuri-Inu by leaving it food. This is essentially a treat for being a good watchdog, and not a murderous one.

Tiangou is a flying black dog from Chinese legend who caused a solar eclipse by eating the sun. He was eventually scared away by the god of birth Zhang Xian, who fired arrows at him.

Tiangou's actions caused panic among the people, and they needed to be saved. The god's intervention prevented further chaos.

The myth of Tiangou is a reminder that even the most unlikely creatures can have a significant impact on the world.

Greek mythology is home to some fascinating canine characters. Cerberus, the three-headed dog, is often depicted as a fierce guardian of the underworld.

In Greek mythology, dogs are frequently associated with the underworld, a realm ruled by Hades and his wife Persephone.

Cerberus the Three-Headed Dog is a fearsome creature in Greek mythology. He was the offspring of two monsters, Typhon and Echidna.

Cerberus had three heads, a mane of snakes, and a tail with a dragon head, making him a formidable guardian of the underworld. He was tasked with guarding the gates of the underworld for Hades, the god of the dead.

Despite his fearsome appearance and job, Cerberus had an endearing quirk: he enjoyed music. Orpheus was able to pass into Hades by charming the beast with a song.

Cerberus was a loyal dog, loved by Hades, who even made Hercules swear not to hurt him. However, Hercules was tasked with capturing Cerberus as one of his twelve labors.

Here are some interesting facts about Cerberus:

Cerberus was a complex creature, associated with both fear and healing. He would drink from the river Lethe, which would make him forget any pain or suffering, and was also associated with forgetfulness and oblivion.

The Argus is a fascinating figure in Greek mythology. Argus, a giant with 100 eyes, was a servant of the goddess Hera and tasked with guarding Io, a priestess of Hera.

He was a giant with incredible eyesight. Argus was said to be able to see in all directions at once, thanks to his numerous eyes.

One of his most notable features was his ability to see in all directions at once. This made him nearly invulnerable to attack.

Argus was eventually killed by Hermes, the messenger god, who was sent by Hera to slay him.

Argus' story is often seen as a symbol of the power of vigilance and watchfulness.

Laelaps was a mythological dog in Greek mythology, known for its incredible speed and hunting prowess. It was said to be able to catch any prey it was set upon.

The Laelaps was a gift from the goddess Artemis to Europa, who was being pursued by a monstrous boar. The Laelaps was tasked with hunting down the boar.

The story of the Laelaps is closely tied to the myth of Europa, who was abducted by Zeus and taken to the island of Crete. The Laelaps was a symbol of the power and protection that Europa needed in her time of need.

The Laelaps was said to be a creature of incredible speed, able to run down its prey with ease. Its ability to catch any animal it was set upon made it a formidable hunter.

A fresh viewpoint: Best Dog Food for Hunting Hounds

In Norse mythology, dogs are highly regarded, reflecting the difference between a wild wolf and a domesticated dog.

Dachshunds, for example, were bred to hunt badgers, showcasing the careful breeding of wolves over generations to exhibit certain traits.

Domesticated dogs, descended from wolves, were valued by the Norse peoples, who likely appreciated their loyalty and companionship.

Fenrir was born from Loki and his giantess wife Angrboda.

He grew to be a massive wolf, and the gods chained him up to prevent him from causing havoc.

The chains were a temporary solution, as Fenrir is destined to break free at Ragnarok, the Norse End of Days.

At Ragnarok, Fenrir will swallow the moon and everything else in his path, including Odin.

Fenrir's fate is sealed, and his sons will avenge Odin's death by slaying him.

Garm was a highly regarded figure in Norse mythology, as Odin himself declared him the "best of hounds".

Garm's role was similar to that of Cerberus, guarding the gates to the afterlife.

Domesticated dogs, like Dachshunds, were bred to exhibit specific traits, such as their unique shape for hunting badgers.

The Norse peoples highly regarded dogs, often viewing them as good companions, unlike their wild wolf ancestors.

Wolves were often seen as wild and unpredictable, acting more like people than we might find comfortable.

Dogs, on the other hand, were viewed as gentle and domesticated, like the good boy curled by the fire.

In Norse mythology, this distinction between wild and domesticated animals is reflected in the way they were portrayed.

Werewolves were not a part of Norse mythology, but rather Celtic folklore, where wolves were associated with shape shifting and were often feared and admired.

In Celtic mythology, wolves were seen as powerful and intimidating predators, which is why they were often associated with shape shifting, like in the legend of werewolves.

Celtic warriors would sometimes claim descent from wolves, which is an interesting concept, especially considering the idea of a shape shifting wolf creature as a parent.

The Celtic people's fear and admiration of wolves likely influenced their mythology, leading to the creation of stories about shape shifting wolves and other supernatural creatures.

Black dogs have a place in many cultures, often considered bad omens and bringers of death.

In the British Isles, these mythological creatures are especially prevalent in folklore. The stories surrounding them are often dark and foreboding.

The Black Dog of Hanging Hills in Connecticut is a unique case, described as a very small dog. Those who see it once are said to have good luck.

A second sighting of the Black Dog of Hanging Hills is not encouraged, as it's believed to foreshadow bad luck.