Greyfriar's Bobby - Story of the Most Loyal Dog Ever

They say that a dog is a man’s best friend. Anyone who has owned a dog can tell you it’s true. Dogs make for loyal, faithful companions under almost any circumstances.

Throughout history, there have been examples of this strong companionship we’ve just talked about. Some of you may know the story of the loyal Hachikō and consider him the most famous dog. But if you ask us, the most famous loyal dog is Greyfriars Bobby.

For those not in the know, we’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll learn everything about Greyfriars Bobby, from what made him famous to how we remember him today.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

The True Story of Greyfriars Bobby

The story of Greyfriars Bobby goes as follows…

In 1850, a man named John Gray moved to the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, with his family. A gardener by trade, Gray had difficulty finding work. Rather than end up in a workhouse, Gray signed on as a night watchman with the Edinburgh police force. The nights were long and cold, and Gray felt the need for a companion.

John Gray welcomed a Skye Terrier into his life, naming the little dog ‘Bobby.’ The dog and John were a common sight on cold nights in Edinburgh, proving inseparable. For many years, they kept to their nightly routines. Unfortunately, sometimes fate has other plans.

What Made Greyfriars Bobby Famous?

Years of cold air and wet conditions appear to have taken their toll on John. John Gray died from Tuberculosis in 1958 and was subsequently buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, also called Greyfriars Churchyard. While this could have been the end of the story, Bobby proved to be an unwaveringly faithful dog.

Bobby refused to leave his master’s grave, no matter the weather and no matter what anyone said. This captured the hearts and minds of the people of Edinburgh, who nicknamed him ‘Greyfriars Bobby.’

Despite several attempts to remove Bobby from Greyfriars Kirkyard, Bobby remained loyal and would not leave John Gray’s grave. Eventually, people built a shelter for him to keep warm.

By this time, Greyfriars Bobby was a household name. People regularly visited Greyfriars churchyard to watch the Skye Terrier go for his midday meal at the one o’clock gun. He received his food from a coffee house he visited with his master.

Greyfriars Bobby and The Law

Around 1867, a law requiring licenses for dogs came into effect. The police had to put down any dogs they found without a license. Thankfully, Sir William Chambers (also known as Lord Provost of Edinburgh) bought Bobby a license and an inscribed collar. The inscription reads, “Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost 1867 licensed”.

The people in the city of Edinburgh looked after Bobby, who stayed by his master’s grave for fourteen years. He remained there until his own death in 1872.

Is the Story of this Faithful Dog True?

Although many stories about Bobby exist, not all stand up to scrutiny. Some people question the details, and others still claim they’re exaggerated and embellished.

Debate persists over which of the two people named John Gray owned the dog. One was a farmer, and the other was a night watchman. Mr. Traill, the owner of the coffee house that Bobby visited, describes Gray as a farmer.

Some Arguments Against The Story

Jan Bondeman’s book, Greyfriars Bobby: The Most Faithful Dog in the World, claims that the fundamentals of the story do not add up.

He writes that in 19th-century Europe, people documented over 60 stray cemetery dogs. He believes that people simply mistook the dog for waiting by a grave and that the story spread from there. He suggests the original dog died of old age, and another took his place.

So, while some details may have changed over time, we believe the true story still holds up. The true story consists of a dog staying by his master, John Gray, even after Gray died. This dog visited the grave every day, and the people buried him nearby after he died.

Photo credit: Greyfriars Kirkyard

As to the other elements of the story, time may reveal more insight.

The Legacy of Greyfriars Bobby

So, now you know the true story of Greyfriars Bobby. In Scotland, this story is part of Edinburgh’s history. To the world outside Scotland, Greyfriars Bobby is a legend that serves as a tourist attraction.

Bobby’s legacy extends beyond his story, however. People have found many ways to immortalize this little Skye Terrier and his loyalty.

Memorial Bronze Statue

The Greyfriars Bobby Fountain is a large memorial structure commemorating the loyal dog. The fountain features a life-size statue of the eponymous terrier at the top. You can find it at the junction near Candlemaker Row and the George IV Bridge.

The commission came at the request of Lady Burdett-Coutts, a member of the RSPCA, a dog aid society. While it functioned as a drinking fountain, the water supply was eventually cut in 1957. While the statue fell into disrepair, it stands proud thanks to a restoration effort in 1985.

If you look at the statue, you will see the paint on his nose has rubbed away. People believe that rubbing the nose of the statue will bring good luck.

Photo credit: Wikimedia

Greyfriars Bobby - Novel (1912)

This 1912 novel by Eleanor Atkinson takes inspiration from the original story but only loosely follows the established series of events. Written from Bobby’s perspective, the events of the novel are strange. In this tale, Bobby’s owner is Auld Jock (Scottish slang for ‘Old John’).

The pair grow close over the events of the novel, much the same as in the real story. In the book, Auld Jock doesn’t buy Bobby, which creates tension when it’s believed Bobby counts as stolen property.

When Jock dies, his dog feels lost but remains loyal. After finding Jock’s body in the graveyard, he swears never to leave his master’s side.

Atkinson’s book served as inspiration for two movie adaptations - Challenge to Lassie (1949) and Greyfriars Bobby (1961). Challenge to Lassie adapts the story with the titular Lassie in the lead role, whereas the 1961 film is a more direct adaptation of the novel.

The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby - Film (2005)

Separate from the previously mentioned adaptations, The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby is a modern retelling of the story that loosely applies the events to its narrative.

This more recent movie adds several new characters as well as removes Mr. Traill, the owner of the coffee shop. The most significant addition is Ewan, a young boy who takes a liking to Bobby.

The film focuses on the idea that Bobby is in violation of the law banning unlicensed strays. The local kids decide to work together to ensure he isn’t caught, adding emotional weight and excitement. Despite receiving mixed receptions on IMDB, it features a great cast and is a good film for family viewing.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve learned something new and exciting about this special dog and his fierce loyalty. Animals often see and recognize things that we humans can’t or don’t. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the beauty of their actions and choices. Bobby’s loyalty and integrity should serve as an inspiration to all of us.

For other unbelievable historical tales that deserve to be told, check out Phreeque.com.