An 11-year-old boy has been hospitalised after being mauled on the face by his family's pet dog in Melbourne's north-west.

The child suffered facial injuries after being bitten by the dog, a doberman, in the backyard of his home at Cairnlea.

Emergency services were called to the Spearfelt Court property at 3.20pm.

"Local rangers are attending the scene and will remove the dog which has been temporarily secured in the rear yard," a police spokeswoman said.