Cadejo

There are many types of spectral hounds, most well know are the shucks or black dogs that are harbingers of doom. It isn't only in the British Isles and European continent that these entities have been seen. Many are found throughout the Americas, especially in Latin American countries. I shall focus on the type of phantom black dog shucks called Cadejo. The Cadejo is a name given to a phantom black dog in Central America, in places such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.  

The Cadejo is considered a strange demon hound for it's eye colours alter. It's eyes are glowing blue to show when it is calm, although perhaps more like watching and observing. The moment it's provoked, its eyes turn a glowing red. Seeing an angry dog with shining red eyes is terrifying, but there is more. They come in pairs, according to some folklore. One looks like a shaggy black dog, with glowing purple eyes. The other dog is white and eats flowers that grow on volcanoes. 

While this creature is often active at night, in dark hours, in quiet remote places, secluded yards, cemeteries, streets, lanes and alleyways, appearing to lone wary travellers. It also seems to have hybrid features with hooves instead of paws. It's said to smell "like a goat". The black dog Cadejo has been able to manipulate people into making bad choices, according to folklore, and devours newborn infants. Some people have tried to kill the Cadejo and ended up dead themselves. If a Cadejo is killed, it gives off a horrific smell that lingers for ages. The phantom white Cadejo has been considered a protector and is benign. 

One story goes that two boys were helping a magician make a fire during a stormy night. The task they were given was much too busy for them, as they turned lazy and consumed the magicians' food. Later the magician found there was few wood for the fire but most of the food was eaten. He put a curse on the boys, who then turned into dogs, the black and white Cadejo dogs.

For much more on the subject, there is this book: Phantom Black Dogs in Latin America by Simon Burchell.

She Wolf Night