Maremma Dogs

A local chicken farmer, Swampy Marsh, suggested Maremma guardian dogs could be used to protect the penguins. Swampy had successfully used Maremmas to help protect his free range chickens.

In a world-first, Maremma dogs were trained and placed on Middle Island to protect the penguins from foxes during the breeding season. The project has been a huge success, with no evidence of fox attacks since the beginning of the Project and a steady increase in penguin colony size to an estimated 180 penguins in 2013.

Middle Island has been closed to the public since 2006 to protect penguin burrows from human trampling which can harm penguins, penguin chicks and eggs. The closure of the island has contributed to the increase in penguin colony size. Over summer each year, people who want to visit Middle Island can book a place on the “Meet the Maremma Tours” and experience the project firsthand.

Our two Maremma guardian dogs, sisters Eudy and Tula, spend five days per week on Middle Island during the breeding season and on their days off they live at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, interacting with visitors and helping to educate people about environmental conservation. For more information on education programs, the Maremma guardian dogs and tourism activities over summer, please visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village website.

PLEASE NOTE - Maremma dogs are suited as guardian dogs in rural and large block locations. Like all purchases of dogs you should research a dog that suits your lifestyle and location. Maremmas are generally not suited to suburban or small block locations. So while we hope you like our project, maremmas arent for everyone.

We manage the use and care of our maremmas with reference to "Guardian Dogs, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Best Practice Manual for the use of Livestock Guardian Dogs

The initial use of Maremma dogs on Middle Island was a partnership between Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Group, State Government and Warrnambool City Council.