When you think of guard dogs, you probably picture big shepherd dogs or rottweilers, but small dogs can take on this role, too. A miniature dachshund from Spain managed to take control of his entire neighborhood at only 5 months old.
In a post shared on Reddit on Friday by his owner, under the username u/OkPomegranate4764, the puppy, named Pablo Escobark, can be seen attentively looking at passersby from the heights of his balcony, barking at everyone he doesn’t know.
“Pablo Escobark takes his job as a security guard VERY seriously. He runs the whole neighborhood,” reads a caption shared with the clip. But, besides being the local guardian, Pablo is also his family’s hero, because he managed to “save” them at a very difficult time in their life.
The poster, 29-year-old Gígja Rún Gísladóttir, told Newsweek that the family got Pablo Escobark in July 2024, when he was just 12 weeks old, after moving to Spain from a very “depressing, stressful and just horribly difficult situation” in Iceland, and wanted to make their 11-year-old son happy.
“He is autistic and therefore he spends most of his time with us, his parents, which he himself chooses to do,” Gísladóttir said.
From left: Pablo Escobark sits with his owner Gígja Rún Gísladóttir; and he gets to work, guarding his neighborhood. The 5-month-old dachshund has become his neighborhood guardian, and a video of him at work has left internet viewers in stitches.
Gígja Rún Gísladóttir
While the poster had dealt with only cats all her life, as soon as she met the mini dachshund, it was love at first sight, and it was then that she knew he would be a wonderful addition to her family.
“He is incredibly funny, sweet, gentle and kind, determined, a big mama’s boy, a bit naughty, thievish, a big prankster, and he loves to play and cuddle with his brother,” Gísladóttir said.
Having a pet can make your life better in a myriad ways. Data published by the National Institutes of Health shows that having an animal may decrease stress, improve heart health, and help children with their emotional and social skills.
Interacting with pets can also lower blood pressure, reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood. Moreover, scientists have speculated that, because of their “unqualified acceptance,” the presence of pets in the life of autistic children can help comfort and calm them.
Little Pablo, who is also popular on TikTok as @senior.pablo.escobark, is very serious about his security guard job; in fact, according to his owner, nothing gets past him.
“He took on this job completely unsolicited, but it seems to us that people around us are quite happy with the new neighborhood watch. He’s not afraid to let people know that they are being highly suspicious,” Gísladóttir said.
“He tries to chase the cats from the pool area from our balcony by barking some strongly worded barks at them. The sign says ‘No Animals,’ so I think he can read?”
And when the poster says nothing gets past him, she really means it. “He is absolutely certain that the pool cleaners and the gardeners are up-to no good. And he is not afraid to tell them!”
The World Animal Foundation puts dachshunds in ninth place for best small guardian dogs, saying that, because they were originally bred to hunt ferret and badgers, their prey drive prevails, making them instinctively protective of their owners.
Even though the puppy has taken control of their home and their entire neighborhood, the poster and her family are very grateful to have him in their lives, and believe he’s been crucial for their well-being.
“He is truly a gift. He absolutely saved our family with his endless love and affection, protection and joy. We will love him forever and ever,” Gísladóttir said.
The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across Reddit. It has so far received over 1,100 upvotes and 26 comments.
One user, SparkyValentine, commented: “Oh, his little gruff gruff cheeks.”
Reader 22pabloesco22 posted: “Pablo es spicy!”
Poornose added: “Typical doxy, just mad at the world and wants everyone to know.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.