Hellhounds

Hellhounds are legendary supernatural canines found in folklore and myth, traditionally associated with the underworld, death, and the afterlife. In many tales they are large, ferocious dogs with vivid or glowing eyes, straying through night and fog. Their fur is often described as black or spectral, and they may emit cold breath or a chilling presence. They are usually depicted as omens, guardians, or agents of punishment rather than ordinary animals.

Regional variants exist across Europe. The British Isles feature black-dog figures such as the Barghest or Black Shuck, while Norse and Germanic traditions include hel-dogs like Garm and other guard-dogs of Hel. In Greek mythology Cerberus serves a similar role as the multi-headed guardian at the underworld. Although called "hellhounds" in modern usage, many of these beings differ in form and mythic function.

Functions in folklore commonly include guarding graves or gatekeeping the entrance to the underworld, pursuing the living as an omen of death, or punishing wrongdoers. Some tales describe them as bound to a particular place, a master, or a ritual, appearing during storms, at night, or near sacred sites. They are sometimes interpreted as revenants or manifestations of divine or supernatural power.

In contemporary fiction and popular culture, hellhounds are used as supernatural antagonists or ally figures, often with enhanced speed, strength, and sometimes elemental powers. They appear in horror novels, games, and films, serving as symbols of fear, death, and the boundary between the living and the dead.