The Minstrel and the Dragon Pup by Rosemary Sutcliff illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark*

A minstrel discovers a partially hatched dragon's egg on the beach one spring day.  When it hatches, the minstrel decides to keep it and take care of it.  For three years the pair travel from town to town, delighting folks with music.  Because of Lucky the  dragon,  the minstrel was able to compose and play the best music he had ever made.  One evening a traveling showman notices the dragon and devises a plan to steal Lucky from the minstrel.  When the minstrel awakes and discovers Lucky missing, he is heart broken and sets out to find his beloved pet.
A delightful story that is well written.
*Highly recommend.
-Borrowed from the library.