Buzz
Every dog parent has witnessed their pet acting uneasy or behaving oddly in response to an invisible presence, a threat beyond human perception. But could they be sensing the paranormal? Many pet owners certainly believe so, and several daring dogs have made their mark as skilled ghost hunters. Here are ten real-life Scooby-Doo companions who venture into the world of the supernatural.
10. Bailey
According to his owner, Bailey would frequently pause and gaze into what appeared to be an empty void. Yet, when tourists snapped pictures, mysterious orbs of light would appear in the photos. After witnessing Bailey's uncanny ability to detect these eerie lights, his owners decided to train another puppy to join their ghost-hunting adventures.
9. Bond, also known as “Spooky-Doo”
Bond, a rescued racing greyhound, explores the eerie and unusual around Manchester, UK. His owners, who run Paranormal Rescue, an investigative agency, have remarked that Bond is more reliable than electronic gadgets when it comes to detecting the supernatural. On one investigation at a college that used to be a prison, Bond began chasing an invisible presence. He eventually entered a cell, where he started to choke.
Upon researching the prison's history, his owners discovered that this cell had been the site where two prisoners tragically took their own lives over a century ago. When they returned to the prison later for a news segment, Bond refused to enter the same cell, which his owner believes is due to his unsettling experience there before.
8. Maddie
Maddie is perhaps the most well-known of the fearless dogs featured here. She appeared on the U.S. cable TV series *Ghost Hunters*, and as part of The Atlantic Paranormal Society showcased on the show, she takes on a unique role compared to other dogs in similar fields. Her handler explains that she is trained to detect signs of animal activity, a skill that proves useful in eliminating natural causes behind suspected paranormal occurrences. Additionally, Maddie is highly attuned to magnetic fields, which the team believes can be an indication of paranormal events.
Maddie's team also values her straightforward and impartial approach to investigations. As a dog, she doesn't form preconceived notions or expectations when visiting a suspected haunted site, making her reactions possibly more reliable than those of the human investigators on the team.
7. Basil
Basil works alongside his owner, spirit medium Ian Wood, as part of the Wigan-based Sixth Sense Ghost Hunters team in the UK. The team's name is fitting, as 14-year-old Basil, with his sharpened senses of smell and hearing, is said to communicate with spirits. Their favorite haunt is the Wigan Old Courts, known for its ghostly activities, including coffins crashing through walls. Basil barks when he detects something unusual, and his owner often uncovers strange phenomena, particularly in areas where executions once occurred.
During one investigation, a film crew accompanied them to the Old Courts' cells, which once housed dangerous criminals. The crew became overwhelmed, crying and feeling sick, refusing to return to the cells. However, Basil remained brave, continuing to lead guests on tours of the site, undeterred by the eerie atmosphere.
6. Watson
Watson is another dog who has become a star on television. This British bulldog is the fearless companion of Yvette Fielding, the host of the UK show *Most Haunted*. Originally, Fielding didn’t plan for Watson to be part of the show, but after witnessing his bravery, it became clear that he was the ideal dog for the role.
On his first outing with Fielding, Watson boldly entered a room that the on-site security guard’s German shepherd refused to approach. This room was thought to be the center of poltergeist activity. Restoration workers had reported objects mysteriously shifting, being pulled off ladders, and hearing loud banging noises that weren’t caused by their work. Though Watson remains calm and unaffected by his supernatural experiences, he communicates his awareness by striking a stance with his ears alert, as if preparing to chase something. He also growls when he senses a ghost and resists any efforts to pull him away.
5. Ridley
Some paranormal experts believe that a dog's ability to sense spiritual energy is a mix of innate traits and learned behavior, as suggested by Zak Bagans of the TV show *Ghost Adventures*. While he holds that animals possess a heightened sensitivity to spirits, he also mentioned in an interview that he had to train Ridley to actively hunt ghosts.
The dog’s size doesn’t make a difference; Ridley, a small Yorkshire terrier, is said by Zak to have the courage to face demons. However, Ridley didn’t often get the chance to display his skills. Shortly after adopting him, Zak had to leave Ridley in his mother's care due to his extensive travel schedule. Nevertheless, it's reassuring to know that Zak’s family remains protected from any supernatural threats.
4. Gracie
Gracie, Zak's older dog, was a frequent companion on *Ghost Adventures* and was regarded by him as a 'highly specialized piece of equipment.' During one investigation, Gracie conducted a search of a saloon believed to be haunted by a malevolent old spirit.
After completing her search, Gracie did something unusual—she leapt up and placed her front paws on Zak, blocking his path into a room that was rumored to be the site of an attack by the old hag. She then fixated on a corner of the room, her ears standing at attention, signaling her complete alertness. Upon leaving, Zak observed a look of genuine fear in her eyes, something he had never seen before. This was particularly concerning since he had always trusted her instincts, especially after their past experiences in a notoriously haunted house.
3. Pixie
Pixie was another dog that proved size is irrelevant when it comes to confronting the paranormal. A Jack Russell terrier, Pixie joined tourists on her owner's ghost tours across North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Initially just along for the walk, Pixie soon began to stop in particular spots and refuse to move. Tourists would often notice orbs appearing in their photos taken at those locations. Pixie became the unofficial location scout for the tours, as she was the only one who could seemingly confirm whether a place was genuinely haunted.
During one tour in an old telephone building, Pixie became particularly fixated on a specific corner. When a tourist snapped a photo, it clearly captured an apparition right where Pixie had been focused. Pixie was known for her professionalism, remaining unfazed by any sounds or smells while working. She passed away at the age of 13 in 2012, and though she did not return as a ghost, her owners reported receiving communications from her from the other side.
2. Bossy the 'Psychic Dog'
Bossy has become a YouTube sensation thanks to her extraordinary ability to sense the supernatural. Featured on the Ghost Hunters Queensland South Team’s YouTube channel, based in Brisbane, Australia, Bossy has accumulated over 10 million views. Her owner shares how Bossy reacts to paranormal activity within their home, barking or growling whenever something disturbs her.
In one night-time security camera clip, Bossy is seen waking up after mysterious orbs of light pass through the room, staring in their direction. Another video shows her growling at something under the bed in a room where objects have been inexplicably knocked over. Though Bossy plays an active role in uncovering spirits in her home, it remains unclear if she accompanies the Ghost Hunters Queensland team on their investigations.
1. Glimmer
Glimmer is the canine ghost detector for Wolf Paranormal Investigations, a team based in Canada. Glimmer gained recognition for her abilities, even making it onto local TV news. Her owner believes that animals, like Glimmer, possess heightened sensitivity to paranormal phenomena, such as fluctuations in magnetic fields and energies beyond human detection. She likens it to dogs sensing earthquakes before people become aware of them.
Glimmer was trained to respond to the energies she detects, and these responses are documented on their website. When positive energies are present, Glimmer will sit and remain calm but continue to watch the source. However, when negative energies are sensed, she becomes tense, refuses to sit, tucks her tail, and pants.
