This is the moment a brave small Shih-tzu dog attacks an invading pitbull in a bid to protect its owners.

The incident happened when the pitbull dog broke into the garage of a residence in Maringa, Parana state, Brazil, on 21st March.

The CCTV footage shows the pitbull entering the garage where a man is seen standing beside his SUV.

The Shih-tzu then runs towards the pitbull to defend the family and is attacked by the big dog.

As the pitbull sinks its teeth into the tiny dog, the man and another woman are trying to separate them.

Another man said to be the pitbull’s owner, enters the garage, and holds the pitbull, until they finally manage to separate the animals.

The man was preparing to take his daughter to school and had just opened the gate, when the infuriated pitbull came to attack, according to local media.

The Shih-tzu dog was taken to the veterinary clinic where it will undergo tests to assess whether there was any internal injury.

The Shih-tzu owner, who bitten on the hand, will undergo observation for 10 days.

He told local media that he will report the incident to police.