Maltese Grooming Guide
Cage-free, one-on-one grooming in Lynchburg VA
Maltese Grooming Guide
Everything you need to know about keeping your Maltese beautiful
About the Maltese Coat
The Maltese is famous for its stunning, floor-length white coat that flows like silk. Unlike many breeds, Maltese have hair rather than fur, which means they shed very little but require consistent grooming to prevent matting. As a popular small breed, the Maltese benefits from our gentle, one-on-one approach.
Their single-layer coat grows continuously, similar to human hair. This makes regular haircuts essential and gives you lots of style options!
Key Coat Characteristics
- Texture: Silky, straight, no undercoat
- Color: Pure white (slight lemon or tan markings acceptable)
- Shedding: Minimal — great for allergy sufferers
- Matting risk: HIGH — daily brushing required
Popular Maltese Haircuts
Puppy Cut
The most popular and practical choice. Hair trimmed to 1-2 inches all over for easy maintenance. Perfect for active dogs and busy owners.
Maintenance: Brush every 2-3 days
Teddy Bear Cut
Slightly longer than puppy cut with a rounded face. Creates an adorable, plush toy appearance that Maltese wear beautifully. See our teddy bear cut page for more details on this popular style.
Maintenance: Brush daily
Show Cut
The classic floor-length coat seen in dog shows. Stunning but extremely high maintenance — requires daily brushing and wrapping.
Maintenance: Professional level commitment
Short Summer Cut
Extra short (1/2 inch) for hot weather. Keep in mind their white coat sunburns easily — limit sun exposure with this cut.
Maintenance: Minimal brushing needed
Tear Stain Prevention
Those reddish-brown streaks under your Maltese's eyes? That's one of the most common concerns I hear about. Here's what causes them and how to manage them:
Managing Tear Stains
- Daily wiping: Use a damp cloth or tear stain wipe every day
- Keep hair trimmed: Short hair around eyes reduces staining
- Check water quality: Filtered water can help reduce staining
- Diet matters: Some foods contribute to tear production
- See your vet: Excessive tearing may indicate blocked tear ducts or allergies
At-Home Care Between Grooms
- Brush daily — Use a pin brush and metal comb to prevent mats
- Check ears weekly — Maltese are prone to ear infections
- Wipe face daily — Prevents tear stains and food buildup in beard
- Trim nails every 2-3 weeks — Or bring them in for a quick trim
- Brush teeth regularly — Small breeds are prone to dental issues
Professional Grooming Schedule
I recommend bringing your Maltese in every 4-6 weeks for professional grooming. This keeps their coat manageable and lets me catch any skin issues, mats, or ear problems early. If your Maltese shares your home with a Shih Tzu, both breeds thrive on the same regular grooming schedule.
If you're keeping a longer style, you may need to come in every 3-4 weeks to prevent matting.
Related Grooming Guides
From our blog: How to Treat Dog Tear Stains Naturally
Have a Maltese That Needs Grooming?
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