wonder that the ancient Celtic people were in awe of Irish Wolfhounds, giant dogs that fought alongside humans in battle and were brave and strong enough to take down wolves. They were so prized that an ancient Brehon law stated only nobles, chieftains, kings, and other aristocrats could own them, and entire wars were fought over ownership rights. The legendary hero and leader of the Fianna warriors, Fionn mac Cumhaill, traveled with two loyal Irish Wolfhounds, Bran and Sceólan (translates to “raven” and “survivor”). A fairy named Uchtdealbh turned Fionn’s aunt Tuiren into a wolfhound when she was pregnant, resulting in the birth of Bran and Sceólan. With two paws into the magical, otherworldly realm, these loyal hounds fearlessly guided Fionn down the right path in perilous situations, protecting him at all costs. The word “cú” means “hound,” and anyone with the name Cú means they are worthy of respect as a hound. Many kings, nobles, and heroes therefore chose to place it in front of their names, as hounds were revered in Celtic mythology. One of the most famous old Irish heroes is Cú Chulainn. Born Sétanta, he receives his name after being filled with remorse and guilt after killing the smith Culann’s ferocious hound in self-defense that was guarding his castle. The struggle lasted day and night as he tried to gain entrance to answer Culann’s request for a visit. Sétanta begged to be allowed to raise a replacement guard hound. Until the puppy was old enough, Sétanta vowed
to serve as a human hound for a year and a day, protecting the grieving Culann’s castle. He agreed, and Sétanta was named Cú Chulainn, “Culann’s hound.” British Isles: Black dogs In British Folklore, black dogs appeared as mysterious entities to be feared, often said to bring death, predict shipwrecks, and serve as overall bad omens. One infamous canine specter was the Moddey dhoo from Castle Peel in Douglas on the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea between Ireland and Great Britain. Said to have a curly black coat and a massive, shaggy body like a Cocker Spaniel, this foreboding ghost hound would appear lying at the hearth in the castle’s guard room as soon as the candles were lit for the night and would leave at daybreak. The soldiers were frightened at first but got used to its presence, choosing to be quiet and respectful around the hound. However, one drunk soldier got too bold and boasted he would find out if the hound was a dog or a devil despite the protests and warnings from his fellow soldiers. They heard a terrible noise, and when the soldier returned, he could not speak. After three days, he died, and no one found out what happened during the encounter. The Moddey dhoo was never seen again after the soldier’s death. The many dogs of Greek mythology If you’ve ever looked up at the stars on a clear night, you’ve most likely gazed upon the
constellations Canis Minor, Canis Venatici, and Canis Major, whose brightest star is called Sirius the Dog Star. Dogs play a prominent role in Greek mythology, appearing in myths with the gods and goddesses Zeus, Artemis, Ares, and more. A dog known as the “golden hound” protected a goat named Almatheia who nursed Zeus. To show gratitude for its protection, Zeus made him into the Canis Major constellation. As the goddess of the hunt, Artemis received seven hunting dogs from Pan to be her hunting pack to add to her gift of silver bows and arrows from the Cyclops. One easily recognizable dog from Greek mythology is Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades. Cerberus goes head-to-head with Hercules, who must tame the dog with just his brute strength, and paraded him through the streets in victory after he subdued Cerberus. After being shown to Eurystheus as proof of completing his Twelfth Labor, it’s unknown whether Cerberus was returned or escaped on his own, but he was back in his place as guardian of the Underworld. Article gathered from https://www.pawrade. com/resource/tips-trends/dog-myths-legends- and-superstitions-in-cultural-folklore
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 31
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog