The Paranormal Database

Rooftop Hounds

Location: Hynish (Argyll and Bute) - Fort at foot of hill in the area
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This old fort was used by two sons of a local farmer to watch over the family cattle overnight, as the pasture was far from the family home. One evening, the children's mother heard a voice warning her that her sons were in danger. The mother ran to the fort and found her sons terrified, claiming that they had heard fairy hounds stomping and howling on the roof of the fort.

An old postcard of Ilkley in Yorkshire.

Barguest

Location: Ilkley (Yorkshire) - Moorland to the north of the village, and of Otley
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The large black hound was believed to lurk on the moors in this area.

One of the phantom hounds of Ireland.

White Hound

Location: Imogane (County Cork) - Jer. Sullivan's Cross, travelling from Liscarroll
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: While walking to Imogane from Liscarroll, a white dog appeared next to Matt MacMahon and accompanied him home. When Matt opened the gate leading to his house, the hound vanished (special thanks to the Churchtown Village Renewal Trust, from their 'The Annals of Churchtown').

The Devil Dog

Location: Ingatestone (Essex) - Area around the Star Inn
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: 1970s onwards
Further Comments: Although initially sounding like a shuck, the Devil Dog in this area is said to be the spirit of a canine that died around 1914. Small and black, the hound was reputedly seen several times in the twentieth century, trying to block pedestrians walking along the lane.

Big Black Dog Saves Bishop Petre

Location: Ingatestone (Essex) - Ingatestone Hall, Lime Walk
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Eighteenth century
Further Comments: A mugging was foiled when Bishop Petre's attackers were scared off by a large black hound which came from nowhere. As he brushed himself down, Petre realised the dog had disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.

Ghostly farm dog, or black shuck?

Farm Dog

Location: Ipstones (Staffordshire) - Area around Hermitage Farm, and Indefont Well
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The lane outside of the farm was once the haunt of a phantom black hound. The same dog (or maybe another) also haunted the area around Indefont Well.

Burning Dog

Location: Islay (Argyll and Bute) - Bothy on Beinn na Caillich
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: While visiting the island with his hunting dog, Macphie came across a mountainside bothy and decided to rest. A dark entity appeared in the doorway and the dog attacked it. Macphie noticed his dog's fur was smouldering, so fled back to his boat. The dog followed but had changing - the creature was now mad and breathed green flame. Macphie killed the dog with two sixpences fired from a shotgun.

Potato Eater

Location: Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) - Unknown
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Nineteenth century?
Further Comments: A crofter noticed his potato store was raided each night. One morning he discovered the tooth of a Cu Sith stuck in a potato - looks like this Cu Sith liked a meal of spuds!

Isle of Portland, hunting ground of the Tow Dog.

Tow Dog

Location: Isle of Portland (Dorset) - All over Island
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This shaggy dog that stands six foot tall has an unusual trait for a shuck - it only blocks people from passing, never injuring them. The hound is also known as the Row Dog.

Black Dog

Location: Jevington (Sussex) - Harewick Bottom valley
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This black dog vanishes just as quickly as it appears.

Tail Touch

Location: Kanturk (County Cork) - Barrets Corner
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Mr Foley was said to have encountered a phantom hound while passing through this area. The dog's tail brushed against him, and later that night Foley was unable to sleep. He died a few days later.

Elfin Hound

Location: Kennavarra, Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - General area
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Weather Dependent: Stormy nights
Further Comments: A large black fairy hound would walk the sandbanks during storms, the creature's howl carrying in the wind. The same area was also home to bean-nighe, who could be heard scrubbing the clothing of those soon to die.

Paws the Size of Hands

Location: Kennavarra, Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - Grassy sandy area close to a hill
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A man walking along the links changed direction after spotting a huge dog asleep on a sand dune. Returning to the place the following day, the man found the dog's pawprints in the sand, each the size of his hand.

One Eye

Location: Kenworth (Bedfordshire) - Footpath between Common Road and Hollicks Lane
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The phantom hound that haunts this area is said to be large, black, and in possession of only one eye.

Black Dog

Location: Keresley (Warwickshire) - Watery Lane and area around Hound's Hill
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: 1949
Further Comments: In 1949 a water worker walking along the lane early one morning encountered a large black dog with glowing eyes. The creature sat on its hind legs and watched as the worker crept around it. Other encounters are not dated. One states that a horse rider struck the demonic hound with his crop after the creature blocked his path. The dog exploded, throwing the rider from his horse.

Angry Dog

Location: Kilbrittain (County Cork) - Road two miles west from the village, and continuing east of village
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Circa 1830s
Further Comments: Three men heading towards Kilbrittain from Clonakilty encountered a large black dog which followed them until they reached a cross in the road, where the hound disappeared. The group split up at this point, but one man reported that the dog reappeared behind him, snapping at him until he arrived home at Ballinspittle. A priest blessed the area where the creature first appeared, and there were no more reported sightings.

Two Headed Dog

Location: Kildonan (Highland) - Unknown pool
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A pool in the area is said to contain treasure, though unfortunately it is guarded by a large hound with two heads. A man who managed to drain the pool of all its contents was visited by the hound, resulting in him reversing his actions and replacing the water.

Large Dog

Location: Kimberley (Nottinghamshire) - Field close to the water tower
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: September 2012
Further Comments: Pushing their bike up the field, this witness paused to take in the view. Looking back the way they were walking, they spotted a horse-sized black dog ahead. The creature ran along a hedge at the top of the hill. The witness took their eyes from the dog for a moment, during which it vanished.

Shuck Home

Location: Kirton (Lincolnshire) - Belle Hole Farm, and nearby stream
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: 1930s
Further Comments: A shuck is said to have set up home in a hole in the stream bank near this farmhouse. The farmer's wife reported seeing the creature enter the kitchen - she dared not move until the shuck left on its own accord.

Lady-faced Dog

Location: Knaith (Lincolnshire) - Area around cottage, no longer standing
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A story here tells of shuck that possessed the face of a woman, or sometimes a woman who had the face of a dog. The hound would emerge from the hills close to where the lady lived. The entity is thought to have once been a normal woman who underwent the transformation after being murdered.

Hound

Location: Knighton Down (Wiltshire) - Barrow in the area
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A phantom hound is said to lurk around a long barrow in this area.

A dark dog haunting the roads of Scotland.

Hound

Location: Knockandhu (Moray) - B9008 road
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Early to mid twentieth century
Further Comments: This dark dog is said to be extremely unlucky for all those who see it, for the creature's temper is reportedly quite heinous.

A ghostly figure appears on the backseat.

Retriever

Location: Lacock (Wiltshire) - Road (running through village)
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Only appears at midnight
Further Comments: This black hound is said to resemble a retriever. The creature is said to 'accompany' anyone who walks through the area. Another phantom (or perhaps the same entity in different form) is that of a figure who materialises in the back seat of cars passing through the village, visible only in the rear view mirror.

Black Hound

Location: Laugharne (Dyfed) - Area around Pant-y-Madog
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Fortunately for any witnesses, this member of the Cwn Annwn is reported to be harmless as it runs between castle and town, although on one occasion it screamed so loudly that a witness thought the ground was moving beneath her feet.

Gabble Retchets

Location: Leeds (Yorkshire) - General area
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: These local devil dogs were believed to be the souls of those who were not baptised as children and have returned to haunt their parents.