Video footage shows the dog pushing and nudging the dead animal. Photo: Independent

A heart-breaking video has been released showing a dog desperately trying to revive its companion after it was hit by a passing car report the British newspaper Independent on its website.

In the video, apparently filmed by a truck driver and posted on LiveLeak, the black-haired stray pushes and nudges the other animal in an attempt to rouse it, before standing over it and barking loudly.

It is not known who hit the animal.

The video is the latest in a series of filmed incidents where dogs have displayed huge amounts of loyalty by guarding canine friends left  seriously hurt or killed.

In 2012 video footage emerged showing a dog in China guarding another dog who had been struck dead in the middle of a busy road in freezing temperatures, until a passer-by intervened.

The animal could be seen nudging his female mate before eventually lying down next to her in the middle of a busy road.

In the same year another dog was seen watching over a dead Labrador, until the animal was taken away by animal control.

In November last year, one dog showed the ultimate display of loyalty by jumping onto tracks at a Manhattan underground stationafter his owner passed out and fell in front of an oncoming train.

Video taken from www.independent.co.uk