Maltese Grooming Guide

Everything you need to know about keeping your Maltese beautiful

HighGrooming Needs

4-6 weeksGroom Frequency

DailyBrushing

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

Yorkie Grooming → Bichon Frise Grooming → Havanese Grooming → Small Dog Grooming →

From our blog: How to Treat Dog Tear Stains Naturally

Have a Maltese That Needs Grooming?

I love working with these little white fluffballs! Book an appointment and let's get your Maltese looking gorgeous.

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