Dutch Folklore Wikia
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Börries or Barries is a type of hellhound that roams the province of Groningen but is also found in parts of Friesland. Whereas most hellhounds are one of a kind, the Börries are with many.[1] They're commonly found on terps in polder landscapes where they may live both in water and on land.

Described as big fat dogs with curly fur, these beasts are reminiscent of black vicious poodles with big flaming eyes.[2] Their legs are tall and they walk differently from regular dogs, using their two left or right legs simultaneously with each step.[3] This gives their stride a sway that is unmistakeably the walk of a Börries. Another way to recognize these creatures is by its tail, which is big and ragged like a broom.[4] When Börries runs, its tail positions parallel to its spine. A variant of Börries is called the Stommelstaart. These creatures are more or less the same, except for their tail which is a short stump.[5] Some places in Groningen speak of hellhounds that dragged searing hot chains behind them. Whether these were Börries too remains uncertain.

Some said the sight of a Börries was a bad omen, foretelling dangers that have nothing to do with the vicious hellhound in particular. When a Börries approaches you, there's not really any hope of outrunning it. The best thing to do is be still; Don't talk or move. Don't even blink and it will pass right by. One story suggests that it likes to follow pedestrians and can change its size to whatever it desires. Börries are sometimes accompanied by other creatures from the area, such as the headless calf and dancing juffers.

A Story from Delfzijl[]

Klaas and his friends Jaan and Eltje were on their way home from playing cards and drinking gin. They walked a long road from Oterdum to Geefsweer when along the way a Börries appeared. The canine creature followed the band of friends as he grew ever bigger. Klaas carried a stick with him and decided to show off by using it to chase away the big dog, saying: "He'll get a hit, even if he's the Devil". When he tried to land a blow, however, he couldn't move his hand and wasn't able to hit the beast. Eltje seemed to understand what was going on and said "We can't fight Evil and we should never evoke it.", referring to Klaas calling it the Devil. That's when the big dog decreased in size and disappeared into the night.[6]

List Of Dutch Monsters (edit)
Ghosts Haunted Locations Aamsveen · Folperd van der Leede · Huis De Griffioen · Goddeloas Tolhûs · Goddeloaze Singel · Pelgrim van der Leede · Skilige Pypke · Solse Gat · Urnenveld · Witte Wievenkuil

Border Ghosts

Dove Waander · Laakmannetje · Venrayse Schepenen · Vurige Landmeter
Unsorted Assepoesters · Barende Vrouwe · Barneman · Beeldwit · Budde · Bornes · Elf-rib · Folperd van der Leede · Ijzeren Veulen · Jager van het Meer · Klopgeest · Ossaert · Spinwijf · Spookuur · Trije Wiif · Vliegende Hollander · Wederganger · Witte Wieven · Zwarte Juffer
Child Terrors Bietebauw · Bloedkoets · Bloedpater · Boeman · Boezehappert · Bornes · Bullebak · Duivel · Elf-rib · Griet Met De Lange Armen · Haarhand · Heintje Faar · Heintje Pik · Ijzeren Veulen · Kladdegat · Loekenbeer · Lorrenboer · Man Met De Haak · Nikker · Pikkepoot · Roggemoeder · Sint Nicolaas · Spinwijf · Takkenman · Tongesnaier · Waterwolf · Zwarte Piet
Hellhounds Belleman · Börries · Den Dier · Elf-rib · Flodder · Kardoes · Kladdegat · Kludde · Korenwolf · Loeder · Nikker · Ossaert · Schuimert · Stoep · Stommelstaart · Waterwolf · Weerwolven
Witches Alruin · Bloedende Wind · Danskring · Heggemoeder · Nachtmerries · Olde Marolde · Tante Cor · Trije Wiif · Vaar-Köbke · Varende Vrouwen · Wanne Thekla · Weerwolven · Witte Wieven · Witte Wievenkuil
Tormentors Belleman · Blauwe Gerrit · Den Dier · Flodder · Gloeiige · Hémänneken · Kludde · Korenwolf · Lange Wapper · Loeder · Opwippen · Ossaert · Schuimert · Stoep · Weerwolven
Dragons And Serpents Basilisk · Draak van Gelre · Draak van Rodeklif · Hazelworm
Other Lange Man

References[]

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