A FAMILY dog kept a lost toddler safe in treacherous farmland for more than seven hours in a remarkable Lassie-like tale.

The two-year-old tot sparked a massive search when she strayed from her family’s farm at Crossover, near Warragul, about 100km east-southeast from Melbourne, at about 7.30pm yesterday.

But 12-month-old Australian sheep dog Poppy stayed by the little girl’s side, alerting searchers to her whereabouts in a valley more than half a kilometre away.

media_camera The paddocks the toddler and dog walked though before being found over the hill on the right. Picture: Nicole Garmston

The toddler’s mother said the dog, given to the family as a gift, may have prevented her daughter suffering serious harm.

She spent this morning in hospital but sustained only a few scratches and soreness.

“She has gone into areas you think she would never go,’’ the mother said.

“They can do things that are so unexpected.”

media_camera Police Air Wing officer Mel Brooks helping search for the girl near Warragul.

The girl and her canine guardian negotiated four barbed wire fences and a dam before being found at about 2.15am.

More than 100 people including police, SES and CFA volunteers and neighbours had scoured the area — first noticing the dog and then the toddler in the treed valley.

The toddler’s grandmother said she returned to the house from an outing to find a frantic search underway, her daughter saying the toddler was last seen with Poppy.

“That is the thing that gave me the hope because I thought well they’re together,’’ the grandmother said.

“I think it was just meant to be and she is such a great dog.

“Poppy just stuck with her.

“I think she knew she needed her. It’s absolutely fabulous.

“I think it’s everyone’s Christmas miracle.”

The mother thanked police and volunteers for their efforts.

“Everyone was helping out,’’ she said.

“It’s very nice.”

Poppy would “definitely” be well fed this evening, the family said.

wes.hosking@news.com.au