Horror Dog Names

Dogs have long appeared in horror films and books in two different roles.  Either the dog was a supporting or lead character and represented the good guys, or the dog was evil.  These roles in pop culture, with respect to the "evil" dogs, seem breed specific.  The evil dogs are often being represented by stigmatized breeds such as the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Pit Bull, and Doberman Pinscher.  Sadly, such popular culture representation has only further hurt these great canine breed's reputations.  The role of the good dog or protagonist dog is played by a multitude of breeds but most often by the smaller Terrier types and those with high breed intelligence.  

One of the most noted evil dogs in horror film history is Steve King's Cujo.  Cujo was a large Saint Bernard who wasn't necessarily evil but ill.  Cujo did kill many people in King's novel, but it was only after the large dog contracted the rabies virus from a rabid bat.  The book is a testament to the absolute necessity of having your dog vaccinated.      

Many dogs in horror films and novels are good, loyal dogs who help their people defeat the evil antagonists.  Nanook, an Alaskan Malamute, is one such dog from the film The Lost Boys.  Nanook has an uncanny sixth sense for detecting vampires and dispatches several of the would-be killers to save his two owners from danger.  

Finally, not all horror inspired dogs are scary.  Some horror stories are comedies and can be heartfelt.  This is often said about Tim Burton movies where the genre is spooky but not necessarily evil or scary.  In Tim Burton's Frankenweenie, an animated film in black and white, young Victor Frankenstein's dog, a Bull Terrier, meets a tragic early end.  Sparky, the Bull Terrier, is re-animated by Victor and proves his undying love and loyalty to his best friend.

The representation of certain breeds and names in this theme seem to be changing in popular culture.  Frankenweenie is played by a Bull Terrier, which is a classic "bad boy dog."  The German Shepherd breed, which is often associated with violence is also having a makeover.  One of the saddest dog moments in horror film history is when Sam, Robert Neville's (Will Smith) German Shepherd is infected with the virus that would turn the canine insane in the movie, I Am Legend.  The heartbreaking moment comes when Neville is forced to put Sam down as he transforms into an "evil dog."  However, up until that point, Sam was loyal and protective of his master and his only friend in the world.