The loping snowy-white sheepdog who ingratiated himself into the lives of Gungahlin residents, to the extent that he had his own Facebook page, is being re-homed in Bathurst in the central west of NSW.

He will be going, initially, to Companions for Life, run by Andrea Corradini who has been caring for livestock guardian dogs for 17 years.

It has been a wrench for Bonner woman Barbara Howell who has fed Franklin and been one of his most trusted companions.

But with two attempts by random people to capture Franklin in recent times, there were fears he might be spooked and run over by a car or lash out and hurt someone while he was being harassed.

"It's for the best but I am really going to miss my best friend," Ms Howell said.

Franklin is being held by Domestic Animal Services until Ms Corradini transports him to Bathurst in the near future. By coincidence, another Maremma, a female, was surrendered to the pound and there is hope she will bond with Franklin before they are both taken to Bathurst.

Ms Corradini said the way Franklin had roamed Gungahlin was not unusual for the breed.

In their home country of Italy, where they were bred to guard livestock from wolves and foxes, Maremmas would wander happily around small towns, extending their protection to the townspeople.

"If people [trying to catch him] had left him alone, he'd still be there," Ms Corradini said.

"That area of Gungahlin was probably the safest community in Canberra because they had a resident guard dog."

Ms Corradini said the ideal for Franklin would for him to have "Barb's house surrounded by 200 acres".

He was not suited to small lots as he still needed to roam - but in a contained way.

"His biggest problem is he's not respectful of fences," she said.

"My hope for him is that he can be re-homed on large property, cared for perhaps by an elderly couple, and that he learns to stay on that one property."

Ms Corradini said Maremmas thought "outside the box".

"They're not exactly a dog," she said. "They see themselves as an equal [with the owner] on a property.

"They're smart, you know. They bond very strongly with their owner and are aloof with strangers. Unless you know them, you're not going to get near them."

Another Bonner resident Andy Peluko first befriended Franklin more than three years ago when he started feeding him. He posted a farewell on behalf of Franklin:

" I think it's time for me to love you and leave you but I really am extremely happy to everyone with their kindness and generosity over the years. I know this is the best outcome for me so don't worry I will be okay."