ChristStory Bestiary

DOG

Scavenging Apostates or Faithful Guardians

In symbolism as in life, the dog enjoys a high place among animals as "man's best friend", protector, and faithful guardian of life and home. He is also very low on the totem pole as a scavenger and corpse-eater. Islamic peoples hit it on the nail when they say the dog has 52 attributes - half holy and half vile.

In some countries, such as ancient Persia, the dead and dying were thrown to the dogs. Jews considered dogs unclean scavengers and it was the height of dishonor to have one's corpse eaten by dogs; a fate God often prescribed for the wicked and the enemies of Israel (1 Ki 14:11; 16:4; 21:19-24; 22:38; 2 Ki 9:10; 9:36; Ps 68:23). One of the four forms of destruction the Lord set over sinful Judah was "the dogs to drag" their corpses after they were slain in battle (Jer 15:3). Righteous Lazarus was afflicted by dogs who licked his sores as he begged at the gates of the rich man, too weak to chase them away (Luke 16:21). Many of the afflicted poor in those days succumbed to the attacks of wandering packs. In Israel, any animal killed by beasts was to be thrown to the dogs rather than eaten (Ex 221:31).

Syrian Muslims believe Jinn may take on the appearance of a black dog and that angels will not visit homes which allow a dog to remain inside. To Christians, the black dog represents the Devil.

One legend states that the first dog was hairless. God created him to guard mankind. However, the Devil bribed the dog with a fur coat and so gained access to the garden where he worked the destruction of humankind. Since then, the unfaithful dog has been in disgrace.

In parts of Africa and the Americas, legend considers the dog to be the ancestor of humankind and the discoverer or rightful lord of fire.

As a symbol of marital faithfulness and feudal fidelity, the dog was often painted in the lap of or at the feet of ladies, lords, and squires. Celtic warriors considered it an honor to be compared to dogs, which in their opinion were loyal, courageous, and vigilant in battle and in the hunt; both of which dogs were trained for.

Because of their vigilance and faithfulness, dogs have been used to guard sheep. Therefore, they have become symbolic of priests guiding and defending the faithful flock of Christ. Black and white dogs are symbols of the Dominicans or "dogs of the Lord" because of their black and white habits. While she carried him, the mother of St. Dominic, founder of the Dominicans and champion of the rosary, dreamed she gave birth to a dog carrying a flaming torch. Such a dog has become an emblem of St. Dominic.

Dogs and dog-headed statues, idols and deities around the world guard holy places and the gates to Hades or the underworld. Dogs often accompany their masters or guide them to the afterlife. In ancient Mexico a yellow dog was bred specifically to guide its owner to the place of the dead. In some parts of Guatemala, a dog fashioned from palm leaves is placed on each corner of a grave to guard and accompany the dead on their final journey.

Because of their association with the place of the dead, dogs were believed to have second sight. In many places, they were thought to howl when a person was about to die. They were associated with sorcery and used to communicate with the dead. They could see the invisible forces of evil. In Bantu dreams, they announced that the dreamer was the victim of witchcraft.

In ancient Greece, Diogenes called himself the Hound and made the dog a symbol of his philosophy of cynicism.

St. Roch, when stricken with the plague, retired into the forest to die. His faithful dog refused to abandon him and fed him with a loaf of bread every day until he recovered. Tobias was also blessed with a faithful dog.

Mephibosheth and David each called themselves "a dog" as an expression of humility. They, as dogs, were beneath the notice of a king (1 Sam 24:14; 2 Sam 9:8). Hazael referred to himself as "a dog" or one not worthy to become the king of Syria (2 Ki 8:13). To refer to a man as a dog was also an expression of contempt in Biblical times (1 Sam 17:43; 2 Sam 16:9; Eccl 9:4; Job 30:1).

In Deuteronomy, "dog" was a euphemism for a male prostitute and "the price of a dog" was not to be used in an offering to God (Deu 23:18). Dogs and other sinners would not be allowed in the New Jerusalem (Rev 22:15). Apostates, backsliders and false teachers are referred to as "dogs who return to their own vomit" (Prov 26:11; 2 Pet 2:22; Phil 3:2). Christians were warned, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces" (Mt 7:6). Israel's leaders and false prophets (those who were supposed to be the spiritual watchdogs of people) were called dumb, sleeping, and greedy dogs (Is 56:10-11).

To illustrate that the gentiles were literally scavengers; taking the spiritual food which Israel rejected, Christ, at first, refused to help the Canaanite mother of a possessed girl, saying, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." Her faith inspired the woman to reply, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table" (Mt 15:26-27; see also Mk 7:27-28).

Christ and the psalmists referred to their enemies as growling packs of dogs (Ps 22:16; 22:20; 59:6, 14). God prevented even the dogs from harassing the Israelites as they left Egypt (Ex 11:7).

Dogs were associated with sexual potency and seduction. In spite of the fact that they guarded the sheep, they were never used as symbols of Christ. Muslims believed dogs had seven lives. Greeks and Celts believed dogs had healing powers. Dog flesh was eaten by various peoples to prevent barrenness, bad luck, and witchcraft. Greyhounds were thought to protect their masters from the evil eye.

The term "dog days" refers to the period of July 22 to August 23 or the hottest days of the year because the constellation Canis Major (Big Dog) happens to appear at that time. In ancient times, the world was believed to be topsy-turvey during those days, medicines lost their potency, and other disasters were expected. To prevent bad luck, Romans sacrificed a red dog during dog-days.

Unless otherwise noted, all scripture quotes are from the NKJV Bible.