Forgive me if I 'm confused by the film/video versions, as it's been quite some time since I've read the original story, but wasn't the hound a large canine, 'made up' to look like a beast of hell? Wouldn't a fantasy fig, with the distorted features made to look like mask and 'paint' be apropos?
Edit: And, as I think he was supposed to have been driven mad with hunger, somewhat emaciated?
Doug