Episode 471: Black Dog of England: Cryptid, Myth, or Hellhound?
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On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we explore a mysterious being that has been seen all around the world, but most prominently in England—The Black Dog. The Black Dog (commonly called the Black Shuck) is said to be a massive creature the size of a calf. It is seen at crossroads, typically with glowing red eyes. And while some people say they show up to guide people lost on sacred roads, others say that to hear their horrible howl and meet their fiery gaze is a portent. You will be dead within the year.
So, where is the Black Dog myth found? Well, everywhere. But it most common in the UK and even in the Americas. It was first noted back in 1577 where it road into a church on a lightning bolt and killed several parishioners. Now that’s an entrance! After that, it has persisted enough in local legends that it is considered a mythical motif by professors of folklore. So, is this thing a pure myth that ties into some human unconscious, or is it an actual cryptid animal that has yet to be discovered?
In American, a variation called the Fencerail Dog is thought to be a real creature and isn’t tied into the idea of being a ghost. In fact, many scholars think it is a hyena like cryptid called the Shunka Warak’in that is known to have killed cattle in various states.
The Black Dog is allegedly something that struck terror in the heart in a way that a normal dog does not. One look at the being makes most observers say it was not a mere dog. One scholar discovered a massive seven boxes of written encounters in one area of England alone. It is a popular being, but is it a folklore or a cryptid? A ghost or a demon? If you want to find out, listen, laugh, and learn.
Visit Our Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_dog_(ghost)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Shuck
https://modernfarmer.com/2014/06/black-shuck/
https://pinebarrensinstitute.com/cryptids/2018/11/13/cryptid-profile-the-fence-rail-dog
https://pinebarrensinstitute.com/cryptids/tag/black+dog
https://truehorrorstoriesoftexas.com/category/cadejo-black-dog/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/black-shuck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motif-Index_of_Folk-Literature
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