Because the dog is associated with death, we see it also associated with Bhairava, Shiva’s fierce form, who is called the guardian or protector of Kashi. As the kotwal of Kashi, he is seen riding dogs, again a reference to the dog being a watchdog, who stands at the periphery, protecting the inner world from external dangers.
In much later literature, we find the fierce dogs of Bhairava transforming into four gentle puppies, embodying the Vedas who accompany Dattatreya. Dattatreya, the first guru of the Nath Jogis, challenged the old Vedic orthodoxy that considered the dog inauspicious.
In one story, found in the Puranas, during times of starvation, Vishwamitra found no food and, in desperation, stole dog meat from the Chandalas and started to cook it. Horrified that the great sage was going to eat dog meat, Indra brought rains and the drought came to an end. In another story, we hear how Vishwamitra curses Vasishtha that his children for several generations would be born as dogs.
Dogs have been found in seals of Harappan civilisation. There are burial sites that predate the Harappan civilisation, where we find people buried with dogs. This would indicate that the dog was a much-loved, domesticated animal in India, since ancient times.
The earliest mention of the dog is in the Rigveda. In the Rigveda, we hear of a bitch called Sarama, who belongs to Indra, and helps in seeking out the cows of Indra, stolen by the Panis. So, one can consider Sarama as a hunting dog or a watchdog of Indra. Sarama’s children came to be called the Sarameya, and all the dogs in the world are considered to have descended from her. Specifically, the Rigveda mentions Shama and Shabala, the two children of Sarama, who are four-eyed animals, constantly associated with Yamaraj.
Sarama is the female canine, who is referred as mother of all the dogs, and the dog of the Gods who helped Lord Indra retrieve his stolen divine cows. According to some old beliefs, black dogs are also said to be the reincarnation of the fearsome god, Bhairava. Yudhistir, in Mahabharata, requested that the dog that followed them throughout their penance, be given a place in heaven. This dog was Yama who took this form to test the truthfulness of the eldest Pandava, Yudhistir.
In the holy temple of Gandgapur in Maharashtra, where Lord Duttatreya resides, dogs are not restricted from entering and living inside the temple. Dogs are territorial; the allegory that relates to dogs in Hinduism is to defy the territorial behavior with regards to emotions or material. Like dogs, humans too protect their emotional and material boundaries. Understanding this aspect of dogs can throw deep insights into our own behavioral deficiencies. Originally, evolved from wolves, dogs have a DNA similar to that of wolves. However, their significance in Hinduism can never fade away. Tihar is a dog festival celebrated in Nepal during the times of Diwali as a part of thanksgiving to dogs for their loyalty and protection.
There are also some beliefs and superstitions associated with dogs in India amongst Hindus. In India, a few girls who have a strong Mars in their horoscope are married to dogs. As astounding as this may sound, there are still a few people who follow all these superstitions with regard to dogs. For people who believe in omens, it is said that anyone who sees a dog carrying a bone in is his mouth is considered to be a good omen. If your pet dog sneezes while you are going out, it is considered to be a good omen. These are just a few superstitions and beliefs associated with dogs in Hinduism.
It just goes on to show the significance dogs like German Shepherd have had in peoples lives since times immemorial.
Dogs have been referred to as Shvan in many Vedic verses and have a deep meaning in Hindu mythology. Right from being worshipped in parts of Sikkim and North Bengal, dogs have been the mounts of fearsome gods like, Kalabhairava. They are also considered protectors of the gates of heaven as well as hell. When it comes to ancient Hindu religious symbolism, dogs have always been associated with different forms of Lord Shiva, the God of desolation and the eternal ascetic. Lord Duttatreya is also associated with four dogs, which symbolize the four Vedas.
2) Yudhisthira and the dog he would not leave behind
One of the most well-known Hindu stories involving a dog occurs towards the end of the Mahabharata, when Yudhisthira, his brothers, and the queen Draupadi decided to retire from their rulership, renounce their kingdom, and ascend to the heavens.
Yudhisthira led the party as they gave up their home and began the trek to the Himalayas. Accepting only simple food and water throughout the journey, they walked for months, absorbed in a consciousness of asceticism and detachment.
Making their way to the foothills of Mount Gandhamadana, a dog appeared and joined them as they began their ascent up the mountain. Going with them as they climbed higher and higher, it watched as Draupadi suddenly fell dead, followed closely by each brother — all except for Yudhisthira.
Understanding that it was their individual moral shortcomings that had made them fall on the path to the heavens, Yudhisthira continued on, and the dog continued with him, never leaving his side.
As he and the dog approached the summit, Indra, the king of the heavens, appeared before him in a chariot, and told him to climb aboard so he could take him to heaven. After being assured that he would be reunited with Draupadi and his brothers soon enough, Yudhisthira asked if the dog could come as well. When Indra refused his request, however, Yudhisthira decided not to go. Because the dog had taken shelter of him, he would not abandon it.
Upon finishing his determined declaration, Yudhisthira became stunned when the dog suddenly transformed into Yamaraja, who extolled the renounced king for his unequaled virtue, and subsequently encouraged him to go on to heaven.
Thus mounting the chariot, Yudhisthira left with Indra, having cemented his virtuous legacy, as well as the ancient bond between dog and man.
A Dog is more important than God -Sadhguru answers
The vahana or vehicles of Hindu gods have mostly been animals. The variations of the vehicles are often seen with purposes behind each of them. It is interesting how each of them has its significance and meaning.
One of these vehicles is a Dog but which Hindu God rides on it? The Hindu deity Kala Bhairava’s vehicle is a dog. He is one of the eight attendants on Lord Shiva and also at times is thought of as one of his aspects. He is popularly worshipped among the Tantrikas and is also worshipped in Vajrayana Buddhism as Heruka Bhairava or Yamāntaka. His idol is located in mostly the Shiva temples.
He characterizes the damaging aspect of nature and also has the unfavourable innate in human psychology. The name of this deity is derived from bhīru which means to be fearful and also, he is the one who damages psychological anxiety and fear which is said to be one of the biggest hurdles to the spiritual path.
Furthermore, based on the principle which says that who one worships he becomes the ones who are naturally anxious, fearful and lack self-esteem are suggested to perform upāsana or worship him and in that way bring upon his nature into their character through the process of self-identification.
The reason for a dog being his vehicle is because dogs are popularly known for their bravery in protecting their masters. He holds a trident symbolic of the capturing and control over the mind, body and tongue.
Also, he is seen playing with a snake which shows the overcoming of fear, the mace portrays the overpowering of opposition, challenges and antagonists. Another deity linked intimately with dogs is Dattatreya who is a merged deity of the trinity of Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva.