Sanctuary Fighting back the darkness with style.

A black dog, also known in the UK as a Barguest, is a death omen. When a person catches sight of a black dog, especially at night, and especially if the dog seems to be watching them it is said to be a sign of impending death for either the observer or a loved one. Black Dogs are common lore in England, the Hound of the Baskervilles is an example. Another reference can be found in the movie 'Black Dog' in which a tired truck driver sees one just before falling asleep at the wheel and causing a fatal accident.
They can be easily confused with Hell Hounds, which, according to legend, can appear as large black dogs. Barguests are described as having fiery red eyes, which may also add to the confusion with Hellhounds.
The Grimm from the Harry Potter universe is an example of a Black Dog.