Maltese Guide

Maltese Grooming: How to Groom a Maltese Dog

Maltese grooming is the main job of owning the breed. The coat is a single layer of long, silky white hair with no undercoat, so it sheds very little, but it tangles easily and keeps growing. A few minutes of brushing most days prevents nearly every problem, and a Maltese that has been handled gently since puppyhood usually learns to enjoy the routine.

This guide covers what to buy, how to brush and bathe, how to tidy the face, which haircuts people choose, how to start with a puppy and when a professional is worth it. For the tear stains that often show on a white face, see the Maltese tear stain guide.

What does Maltese grooming involve week to week?

A typical week for a Maltese in a long coat looks like this:

Brushing and combing the whole coat every day, or at the very least every other day.
A wipe of the face and eye area once or twice a day.
A bath roughly every one to three weeks, depending on how dirty the coat gets and how long it is.
A quick check of the feet, ears and underside for tangles, debris and irritation.
Teeth brushing as often as the dog will accept, ideally daily.
Nail trimming about every three to four weeks.

Dogs in a short clip need less time, but brushing never drops to zero. Even a two-inch coat can knot behind the ears and under the legs.

What tools do you need to groom a Maltese?

You do not need a large kit. These are the items that earn their place:

Pin brush: a gentle brush with rounded tips for the daily pass through the coat.
Stainless steel comb: a medium-fine, wide-and-fine combination comb is the best test of whether you have really reached the skin.
Slicker brush: useful for short clips and for fluffing after a bath, used lightly because the wire pins can scratch.
Mat splitter or dematting comb: for small knots, used with care.
Blunt-tipped scissors: for the feet and the area around the eyes.
Nail clippers or a grinder, and styptic powder in case a nail bleeds.
Shampoo and conditioner made for dogs, plus a detangling spray.
A small bath mat and a dog-safe dryer or a towel and patience.

Human shampoo is formulated for a different skin pH, so it is better to stick with dog products. Plain, gentle formulas are usually enough; a coat that is clean and well conditioned does most of the work for you.

How do you brush a Maltese without causing mats?

The method is called line brushing, and it is the single most useful technique for a long coat. Skimming the top layer feels like grooming but leaves tangles hiding near the skin.

Mist the coat lightly with water or a conditioning spray. Brushing dry hair snaps it.
Lay the dog on its side on a towel or table, or hold a small dog on your lap.
Starting at the back leg or the belly, lift a layer of hair up and out of the way with one hand.
Brush the thin line of hair at the bottom, from the skin outward, then let down another line and repeat.
Finish each area by drawing the comb through to the skin. If the comb snags, go back and work on that spot before moving on.

The places where mats start are behind the ears, under the armpits, along the inner thighs, around the collar and on the tail. Anything that rubs, such as a harness or a collar, creates friction, so check those areas first.

How often should you bathe a Maltese, and how?

Every one to three weeks suits most pet Maltese, and many groomers say about every three weeks is a good rhythm for a dog in full coat. A clean coat is easier to brush than a dirty one, so waiting too long often makes things harder.

The order matters:

Brush and comb out the dog completely before the bath. Water tightens tangles into mats.
Wet the coat with lukewarm water, keeping water out of the ears.
Work in diluted shampoo with downward strokes rather than scrubbing in circles, which tangles the hair.
Rinse until the water runs clear, then use conditioner and rinse again.
Squeeze out water, wrap in a towel and pat instead of rubbing.
Dry with a low-heat dryer while brushing, or the coat will dry in kinks.

Never bathe a dog that has a mat. Soap and water make the knot tighter and harder to remove.

How do you groom a Maltese face?

The face needs more attention than any other part. Hair that falls into the eyes irritates them and encourages tearing, and wet hair around the mouth stays damp and picks up odor.

Gather the hair on top of the head into a topknot with a small, soft band, or trim the hair that points into the eyes.
Comb the whiskers and beard daily, especially after meals and drinks.
Wipe under each eye with a soft damp cloth or a wipe made for dogs, moving away from the eye.
Dry the area afterward, because trapped moisture is what turns tear marks into stains.
If you trim near the eyes, use blunt-tipped scissors, rest your hand on the dog's head and keep the dog still.

If the eyes are weepy even with a clean, dry face, a vet should check for a blocked tear duct, ingrown lashes or irritation before you buy any products. Eye problems are covered in the Maltese health problems guide.

What haircut styles suit a Maltese?

There is no single correct cut. The choice comes down to lifestyle, and the coat grows back if you change your mind. The common styles are:

Style	What it looks like	Upkeep
Full coat	Long, flowing hair, sometimes to the floor, often with a topknot.	Daily line brushing and frequent baths.
Puppy cut	An even length of roughly one to two inches all over.	Brushing every other day, trims every four to eight weeks.
Teddy bear cut	Short body with a rounded, fluffy face.	Regular trimming of the face.
Sporting or summer clip	Very short body, sometimes with longer ears and tail.	Lowest brushing, but the skin is more exposed to sun.

Whatever the style, ask the groomer to leave the dog comfortable: clean feet, a tidy sanitary area and no hair in the eyes. The breed standard describes the show coat in detail, and you can read it in the Maltese breed standard guide.

How do you groom a Maltese puppy?

The first priority is making grooming pleasant, not making it perfect. Short, calm sessions with treats teach a puppy that being handled is safe. Touch the paws, ears, mouth and tail every day, and introduce the brush, the comb and the sound of a dryer in small steps.

Puppies carry a soft, fine coat. Over the first year or so the adult coat grows in, and that transition is when tangles often appear because the hair is longer and the dog is still wriggling. Keep to a daily brushing routine through it. Most puppies are comfortable with a first professional visit once their vaccinations are up to date, and your vet can tell you when that is. For everyday puppy needs beyond the coat, see the guide to Maltese puppy care.

Whichever puppy you bring home, whether from the puppies available at Divine Maltese or elsewhere, you can keep the coat long or clip it short from the start.

How do you remove mats from a Maltese coat?

Small mats can sometimes be worked out; big ones are better cut. Start by spraying a small amount of detangler or conditioner on the knot, holding the hair at the skin so the pulling does not hurt, and picking the mat apart from the outside edges inward with your fingers or a comb. A pinch of cornstarch rubbed in can add grip.

Do not use scissors across a mat flat against the skin. The skin is thin and often pulled up into the knot, and cuts are common.
If a mat is tight, ask a groomer to deal with it. If you try it yourself, lay a comb between the mat and the skin and cut only above the comb, or use a mat splitter along the length of the hair.
A badly matted coat is best clipped short by a professional. It is kinder than hours of pulling.
If skin looks red, raw or smells bad under a mat, see the vet.

Prevention is simpler: a short clip, a daily comb-out and a conditioner you rinse well.

Should you groom at home or hire a groomer?

Most owners do both. The daily brushing, face wiping and teeth cleaning are home jobs. A professional visit every four to eight weeks takes care of bathing, drying, trimming and the awkward spots such as the paw pads and sanitary area.

Groomers set their own prices, which vary with region, coat condition and the cut, and a matted dog usually costs more. If your Maltese stays in full coat, expect more frequent visits or a longer appointment. For the wider budget of owning the breed, the Maltese price page explains what to plan for.

Look for a groomer who works with long coats, lets you see the area, never leaves a dog alone on a table and will describe exactly what they plan to do. Bring a note of the cut you want, and tell the groomer about any skin or tear stain concerns.

Quick Answers

Do Maltese shed a lot?

No. The single coat sheds very little, which is why many people with mild allergies consider the breed. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, though, and the dander and saliva still matter.

At what age should a Maltese first see a groomer?

Once the puppy has finished its vaccinations and your vet agrees, usually a few weeks after coming home. Keep the first visit short and focused on a bath, a light tidy and a positive experience.

Can you shave a Maltese in summer?

A short clip is fine, but shaving to the skin is not recommended. The coat helps protect against sunburn and heat, so ask for a trim of about an inch or more instead.

Is the Maltese hard to groom?

It is not hard, but it is regular. The hair itself is easy to brush when it is kept up, and it becomes hard only after a few weeks of skipped days.

What shampoo is best for a white Maltese coat?

A gentle dog shampoo, followed by a conditioner, works for most dogs. Whitening formulas can help the look of the coat, but test them on a small area first and avoid getting any near the eyes.

Should the hair in a Maltese's ears be removed?

Practice varies. Some vets and groomers pluck it gently, others trim it, and some leave it alone unless the dog is prone to infections. Ask your vet what suits your dog.