A sad toddler refused to return her puppy friend that was recently sold at her mum's pet shop.

Footage shows the adorable two-year-old Romina Jade Toribio locking the Shih Tzu in a tight embrace as she was heard saying a long ‘No' to her mother in Ilocos Sur province, the Philippines on February 4.

Her mum was heard pleading to Romina: ‘Please hand me the puppy. I'm going to give it to the new owners,' but the defiant youngster tightened her hug on the puppy and turned her back on her mother.

The little girl then carried the fluffy pooch to the corner of their bedroom, seemingly to hide it from her parents who asked for the dog.

But after about ten minutes of negotiating, Romina eventually decided to let go of the dog to its new owners. She gave it a goodbye hug and kiss.

Touched father Jerome Toribio said: ‘This is the scene with my wife and daughter whenever a puppy is set for release. We breed Shih Tzu and our children sometimes play with the puppies so they become best friends.

‘We are proud of her that she's growing up to be a loving child to her siblings and pets.