Mr Wood has been exhibiting at the show for 30 years, including 12 years with maremmas.

His dogs have won 'best-breed' awards 10 times.

Rico, 6, Elle, 2 1/2, and Kiwi, 1 1/2, will be judged on their look, height, colour, eyes, teeth, general fitness and, most importantly, how well they can do the work assigned to them.

About 190 dog breeds will be in competition at the Royal Melbourne championship dog show - the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere.

Visitors to the show have a chance to look at the different breeds of dogs and talk to their owners.

The maremma sheep dog is an Italian breed known as the 'white dog of abruzzo'. They can weigh up to 45 kilograms and stand at about 70 centimetres.

Mr Wood and his wife Christine also breed the dogs and sell them to be used as working dogs. "Quite a lot have gone to vineyards and to look after stock and chickens," Mr Wood says.

He says the dogs are easy to maintain and remain clean, despite their long white coat. "They clean themselves like a cat. You can put them away when they're muddy and wet and they will come out clean. They're guard dogs in as much as they will guard the premises and the stock they bond with.

"They prefer their company to ours. They're not obedience dogs; they have a mind of their own. You never own one; they allow you to be equal with them."

*The Royal Melbourne Show is open from September 18-28.