Credit: SWNS / Collab / Teddy.zoomzoom

A broody dog has taken a clutch of abandoned ducklings under his wing and become their 'very protective' surrogate dad.

German Shepherd Ben was once BFF with an adult duck, which flew away one day, so he was keen make a good impression on the newly hatched ducklings.

Ben, and the ducklings, bonded immediately and he loves watching over them as they sleep, eat, play or have a bath.

And he will even bark and chase off the family cat - if it gets too near to his little fluffy family.