This is one of the best shaggy-dog stories from Wales:
In ancient days, Prince Llewelyn ap Iorwerth decided on a hunting trip, and left his infant son in the charge of his failthful dog, Gelert.
On his return, the Prince was greeted by Gelert, and Llewelyn noticed immediately that the dog's muzzle was soaked in blood. Llewelyn soon discovered that his precious child was nowhere to be seen. Jumping to the obvious conclusion, Llewelyn attacked Gelert in a frenzy of paternal grief and killed him.
Within minutes, however, the Prince heard a relative cry and stumbled through nearby bushes to find his son, safe in his cradle. Beside the cradle lay the body of a giant wolf covered with wounds, the result of a fight to the death with the faithful guard-dog, Gelert.
You'll find the town of Beddgelert (literally: Gelert's Grave) in the heart of Snowdonia, North Wales. Gelert himself is commemorated by two gravestones; one inscribed in Welsh, the other in English.
Find out more about The Tale of Gelert.
