Ryan Gosling had to carry his dog following a strenuous walk at the weekend.

The 'Drive' actor helped out his 11-year-old canine George after a stroll in Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills left the pooch exhausted.

The 30-year-old hunk lifted the massive mutt into the back of his SUV car when he didn't seem able to manage the jump himself.

An onlooker said: "Ryan and George had been walking for ages so the dog looked really tired by the time they were making their way back to the car.

"George is a pretty big dog but that didn't seem to bother Ryan as he swept him up in his arms."

Ryan - who is currently single - recently revealed he regularly shaves a mohawk into George's fur as the dog "insists" on the unusual look.

He said: "He insists on it. Years ago I shaved a mohawk just for the summer. And then, every time it started to grow out, he turned into a total jerk. And then, I'd shave it back and he'd turn into a nice guy again."