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Barghest

Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 Next review Nov 9, 2026

Painted illustration: huge black dog with glowing eyes on a misty Yorkshire lane at night — AI rendition based on witness descriptions, not an actual photo.

Troller's Gill in the Yorkshire Dales, a gorge local legend says a barghest haunts — Troller's Gill in the Yorkshire Dales, a gorge local legend says a barghest haunts · James F. Carter · CC BY-SA 2.5 (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source · License

A monstrous black dog of Northern English folklore with large teeth and claws.

Folklore Verdict: We treat Barghest as folklore: the record is stories and local reports, with no specimen or verified photo.

Region: Europe · United Kingdom (England)
First reports: Northern English folklore

Key sightings

In Northumberland and Durham the name can also mean a ghost or household elf.

Best evidence

Stories and tradition only; no physical evidence.

Sources

Wikipedia: Barghest ↗