Cascades farmer and chairman of the Northern Mallee Declared Species Group is in Victoria this week visiting breeders to acquire three Maremma sheepdogs.

Another farmer from Salmon Gums is also set to get three of the dogs.

The large and strongly-built Maremma sheepdogs are bred to protect livestock.

They can weigh up to 45 kilograms and stand 73 centimetres high.

Department of Agriculture and Food Regional Biosecurity Manager Barry Davies said the dogs had been successful at protecting livestock.

“I’m sold on the dogs, if I was still farming I would have them just for foxes,” Mr Davies said.

He said a farmer in Queensland brought 20 dogs for $20,000 after being driven to despair by wild dog attacks.

“His losses went from greater than 15 per cent a year to the industry average of normal losses which was about 2.5 pc,” he said.

“They have made a huge difference.

“The farmer is able to sleep peacefully at night knowing his livestock protected.”

Mr Davies has compiled a manual for farmers giving them advice on running Maremmas which is expected to be available through the National Wild Dog Committee in April.

Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Wendy Duncan said she was interested in the Maremma project and wanted to see them in action on the farms when they arrive in Esperance.

If successful, the dogs could be the latest tool in local farmers’ arsenal to help combat wild dog attacks.