This is the heartwarming moment a pet dog waited patiently outside a church for its owner attending mass.

The brown female pooch, lying on the floor, appeared to be on duty, accompanying its keeper during the midnight mass in Cebu, the Philippines, on December 16.

Footage shows the well-behaved canine sitting beside its keeper, who is standing on the side.

Karen Go, who captured the video, said: 'I noticed this lovely mama dog seemingly guarding her owner and staying beside her the whole time. She even kept glancing beside her as if checking if the woman was still there.'

Research into dog behavior suggests that canines view their owners as part of their 'pack' and feel compelled to safeguard them from potential threats.