How do you groom a Maltese?
Grooming a Maltese means brushing and combing the coat to the skin, preventing mats in friction areas, bathing and drying thoroughly, keeping the face and paws clean, trimming nails, and choosing a haircut that matches the dog's lifestyle. Long coats commonly need daily care, while shorter puppy or teddy bear styles reduce—but do not eliminate—home maintenance. Many Maltese dogs benefit from professional grooming every 4–8 weeks, depending on coat length, growth, matting, and comfort.
Understanding the Maltese coat
Maltese dogs typically have a single coat of long, fine hair rather than the dense insulating undercoat found on breeds such as Huskies. They tend to shed relatively little, but low shedding does not mean low maintenance. Loose hairs can remain within the coat and contribute to tangles instead of falling freely around the home.
The coat follows a natural growth cycle and can grow long when it is not trimmed. Fine hair also tangles easily where it rubs against itself, clothing, or a harness. The areas behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, around the legs, and near the sanitary area deserve frequent attention.
Haircut choice and home care are connected. A floor-length coat requires substantially more brushing than a short pet trim. Choosing a maintainable length helps prevent a future appointment from becoming a necessary shave-down because mats have tightened near the skin.
How often should a Maltese be groomed?
Many Maltese dogs are professionally groomed every 4–8 weeks, but that range is general guidance rather than a universal schedule. Coat length, hair growth, matting tendency, activity, skin condition, and the owner's brushing routine all affect timing.
- Long or show-style coat: brush and comb daily, with regular bathing and professional coat maintenance.
- Medium teddy bear or bob style: brush several times a week and check friction areas more often.
- Short puppy-style trim: brush routinely, keep the face and paws clean, and watch the coat as it grows out.
- Any style: schedule earlier if mats form, nails become long, the face stays damp or dirty, or the coat becomes difficult to comb.
A consistent recurring schedule is usually easier on the coat and the dog than waiting until tangles, overgrown hair, and nails all need attention at once. Because nail growth continues regardless of coat length, it also helps to understand why regular nail trimming matters when planning the interval between full appointments.
Popular Maltese haircut styles
The most common Maltese haircut styles include the puppy cut, teddy bear cut, show coat, lion cut, Maltese bob, and short summer trim. Puppy cuts are typically easier to maintain, while teddy bear cuts preserve a fuller, rounded appearance. Long show coats require the most frequent brushing and professional maintenance.
The best Maltese haircut is the one that balances appearance, coat condition, comfort, and realistic home care. Style names can vary between groomers, so photos and specific length preferences are more useful than relying on a name alone.
| Style | General look | Home upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy cut | Short, practical body length with a tidy face | Lower |
| Teddy bear cut | Plush body and legs with a rounded face | Moderate |
| Show coat | Long, straight, floor-length coat | Very high |
| Lion cut | Shorter body with a fuller mane and tail | Moderate |
| Maltese bob | Even, chin-length silhouette with a clean line | Moderate |
| Short summer cut | Short all-over pet trim | Lower |
Puppy cut
A puppy cut keeps the body short and practical, often with a rounded or tidy face. It is a useful choice for active dogs, coats that mat easily, and families who want less brushing between appointments. The exact length should still protect the skin and suit the dog's coat condition.
Teddy bear cut
A teddy bear cut generally keeps more fullness on the body and legs and uses a rounded face for a soft, plush appearance. Because more hair remains, it usually needs more brushing than a short puppy cut. Owners should tell the groomer how much fullness they want around the muzzle, ears, and legs.
Show coat
The traditional show coat is long, straight, and often floor length. It is the most demanding option and usually requires daily brushing and combing, careful bathing and drying, face maintenance, and protection from tangles and breakage. Most companion Maltese dogs wear a shorter style because it is easier to keep comfortable.
Lion cut
A lion cut creates contrast by shortening the body while leaving a fuller mane and tail. The longer sections still need careful brushing, especially around the chest, neck, ears, and tail where fine hair can tangle.
Maltese bob
A Maltese bob keeps an even, longer outline around the body and face without maintaining a floor-length coat. It offers a recognizable long-coated look with less upkeep than a show coat, although regular brushing is still essential.
Short summer cut
A short summer cut can make brushing and cleanup easier, but clipping extremely short is not automatically the best response to warm weather. The appropriate length should balance comfort, skin protection, coat condition, outdoor exposure, and the owner's ability to prevent mats.
How to brush a Maltese and prevent matting
Brushing only the surface can leave tangles close to the skin. Work in small sections, part the hair so you can see where it meets the skin, and brush gently from the ends toward the base. A metal comb is useful for checking whether the brush has moved through the entire coat. Our guide to dog grooming and coat health explains why consistent maintenance matters beyond appearance.
- Use a pin brush or an appropriately sized slicker brush with light pressure.
- Follow with a metal comb, especially behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, on the legs, and around the tail.
- Use a dog-safe detangling spray when appropriate instead of repeatedly brushing dry, snagged hair.
- Remove harnesses, clothing, and collars regularly to check the hair underneath.
- Do not bathe a matted coat before getting grooming guidance; water and drying can tighten existing mats.
Never pull hard on a mat or cut blindly beneath it with scissors. Fine skin can be drawn into tight tangles. If a comb cannot pass through or the mat sits close to the skin, an experienced groomer should determine whether gentle detangling or a shorter haircut is safer.
Bathing, drying, and keeping white coats clean
A Maltese should be bathed when the coat is dirty or as part of an appropriate grooming routine, using pet-safe products selected for the dog's skin and coat. Shampoo and conditioner must be rinsed thoroughly because residue can contribute to itching or a dull-looking coat.
Before a professional haircut, the coat should be clean, fully dried, brushed, and combed. Clean hair falls more predictably, while damp hair stretches and can look uneven after it dries. Thorough drying also helps the groomer see the coat's true condition and create an even finish.
White-coat care should be gentle. Wipe food and moisture from the muzzle, keep the eye area clean with dog-safe methods, and avoid harsh whitening products around sensitive skin. Persistent staining, odor, redness, discharge, itching, or skin changes should be discussed with a veterinarian rather than covered up with stronger products.
Between haircuts, a professional Bath & Brush service may help maintain a longer coat when a full-body trim is not yet needed.
Maltese face, eye, ear, and paw care
The face shape changes the look of a Maltese as much as the body length. A rounded face creates a softer puppy or teddy bear appearance, while a shorter muzzle and tidier ears create a cleaner outline. Bring reference photos and explain whether you prefer rounded ears, a fuller muzzle, a topknot, or a closer face trim.
At home, check the face daily for damp hair and debris. Comb gently around the ears and cheeks, and keep hair from rubbing the eyes. Ear cleaning should be gentle and limited to visible areas with appropriate products; ongoing odor, redness, discharge, or head shaking needs veterinary guidance.
Paw hair can collect dirt and form small mats between the pads. Routine paw checks, nail trims, and careful trimming around the feet help with traction and cleanliness. Sanitary trimming may also shorten hair around hygiene areas without changing the full-body haircut.
Professional vs. at-home Maltese grooming
Owners can handle much of the daily maintenance at home: brushing, combing, face cleanup, paw checks, and monitoring the coat for tangles. Full haircuts require more preparation and control. The coat must be clean and fully dry, tools must be sharp and appropriate, and the dog must stand safely while sensitive areas are trimmed.
The face, feet, sanitary areas, and mats close to the skin carry the greatest risk of accidental injury. Many owners maintain the coat between appointments and leave clipper and scissor work to an experienced groomer.
Fur Sure's Full Groom & Haircut service includes bathing, drying, brushing, nail care, and a full-body haircut based on coat condition and the requested style. If you are deciding between services, see the difference between a haircut and Bath & Brush.
For Maltese owners in Denver, Westminster, Arvada, Thornton, Broomfield, and surrounding Denver Metro communities, Fur Sure Grooming offers one-on-one mobile dog grooming at your home. Our Full Groom & Haircut service helps maintain practical Maltese styles, including short puppy cuts and fuller teddy bear-inspired trims, based on coat condition and your preferred look. Check availability for your address when booking.
Why mobile grooming can help nervous Maltese dogs
Some Maltese dogs become overwhelmed by car rides, barking dogs, kennel waiting, or a busy salon. A one-on-one mobile appointment removes many of those common stressors and allows the groomer to focus on one dog in a quieter environment.
Consistent appointments also build familiarity with handling, tools, and the grooming routine. Owners should share past grooming experiences, sensitivities, health concerns, and handling preferences before the appointment. Learn more about Fur Sure's approach to grooming for nervous dogs.
Maltese grooming FAQs
Many Maltese dogs are professionally groomed every 4 to 8 weeks. Longer styles, fast-growing coats, and dogs prone to matting may need the shorter end of that range, while a short, well-maintained trim may allow a longer interval. Home brushing and coat condition also affect the schedule.
A puppy cut usually keeps the body short and even with a tidy rounded face. A teddy bear cut generally leaves more fullness on the legs and face for a softer, plush appearance. Exact lengths and face shapes should be discussed with the groomer.
A Maltese in a long or floor-length coat usually needs daily brushing and combing. Shorter cuts may need brushing several times a week, depending on coat texture, activity, clothing, and how easily the dog mats.
Not automatically. A shorter style can reduce brushing and matting, but length should also account for skin protection, coat condition, lifestyle, and comfort. A groomer can recommend a practical length without assuming the shortest clip is best.
Routine brushing and simple cleanup can often be handled at home, but full haircuts require safe tools, a stable setup, a clean and fully dried coat, and a dog that tolerates handling. Mats close to the skin and trimming around the face, feet, and sanitary areas are safer with an experienced groomer.