Maltese Grooming Guide

The Maltese is a toy breed with a stunning, floor-length white coat that demands advanced grooming skills to maintain properly. Like Yorkies, Maltese have continuously growing hair rather than fur, which means no seasonal shedding but a high propensity for matting if neglected. The pure white coat shows every imperfection — staining, uneven cuts, and product buildup are immediately visible. Tear staining is the breed's most persistent cosmetic issue, caused by a combination of shallow eye sockets, small tear ducts, and white hair that stains easily. Maltese skin is delicate and prone to sunburn in shaved areas. Most pet Maltese are kept in a puppy cut for practicality, but the full show coat is a work of art requiring daily professional-level care. Maltese are small and fragile, with soft tracheas that require gentle handling.

1. Pre-bath detangle and inspection (15-20 min) Line brush the entire coat with a pin brush, working from the skin outward in small sections. Follow with a greyhound comb to find any remaining mats. Maltese coats mat especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the collar area. Detangle completely before wetting — wet mats become cement. Check for tear staining severity, skin irritation, and dental issues (common in toy breeds). Trim nails carefully.

2. Whitening bath and conditioning (10-15 min) Use a whitening or brightening shampoo designed for white coats — avoid blue/purple-toned shampoos on irritated skin. Apply a lightweight conditioner or detangling conditioner to the coat, focusing on the ends. Avoid heavy products that weigh down the silky texture or make the coat appear yellowish. Rinse thoroughly until the water runs completely clear.

3. Gentle blow dry (15-20 min) Maltese are tiny and sensitive to heat. Use a low heat setting and dry with a pin brush, directing the coat straight down for a long style or fluffing with a slicker for a puppy cut. Every section must be completely dry — dampness causes matting within hours and staining on white hair. Dry the face carefully with a towel or low-speed dryer.

4. Scissoring and styling (20-25 min) For a puppy cut: clip the body with a #4 or comb attachment, then scissor legs into neat columns and shape the face round. For a longer style: scissor the body to the desired length, keeping lines clean and even. Shape the topknot into a soft, round dome. Trim the tail into a plume. Clean ears, paw pads, and sanitary area with a #10 blade. Maltese skin is thin — use light pressure with clippers.

5. Face work and finishing (10-15 min) Tear stain care is critical. Clean stained hair with a tear stain remover, trim heavily stained hair if the owner agrees, and apply a preventative solution. Clean ears and pluck excess hair from the canal. Final comb-through to ensure no tangles remain. Apply a light finishing spray for shine. A bow or topknot band completes the look.

• Pin brush — primary brush for Maltese silk coat; gentler than a slicker on the fine hair
• Slicker brush (soft pad) — for fluff drying puppy cuts only
• Greyhound comb (fine tooth) — essential for mat detection in fine coats
• Straight and curved shears — scissoring the body, legs, and face
• Thinning shears (46+ tooth) — fine-tooth for blending on delicate coats
• #10 blade — sanitary, paw pads, ear edges
• #4 blade or snap-on combs — body clipping for puppy cuts
• Whitening shampoo — maintains the bright white coat
• Tear stain remover — must-have for every Maltese groom

Using heavy conditioners or leave-ins — Maltese coats are ultra-fine. Heavy products make the coat look greasy, yellowish, and limp. Use lightweight, silicone-free formulas designed for silky coats.

Bathing before detangling — This mistake with any silky-coated breed turns small tangles into solid mats. Always brush and comb through completely before the bath.

Aggressive clipper pressure — Maltese skin is extremely thin and delicate. Heavy clipper pressure causes razor burn, irritation, and even cuts. Use a light touch, especially on the belly and inner legs.

Ignoring tear stains — Tear staining on white coats looks terrible and clients notice. Address staining at every appointment with proper products and trimming. Educate owners on daily face cleaning to prevent buildup between grooms.

Maltese don't have a seasonal coat cycle since they have a single coat of continuously growing hair. However, tear staining often worsens in winter when cold wind causes eyes to water more, and in spring during allergy season. In summer, many owners switch to a shorter puppy cut for comfort — the Maltese has no undercoat, so they feel heat readily. In winter, a slightly longer coat provides some warmth, but most pet Maltese do fine in a standard puppy cut with a sweater for cold walks. Indoor heating dries out the coat year-round; a leave-in conditioning mist helps between grooms.

• Photograph tear stain progress at each visit to show clients improvement over time
• For clients who want a long coat but can't commit to daily brushing, suggest a medium-length trim (1-2 inches) — it has the Maltese elegance without the matting risk
• Use a small, lightweight slicker brush for tiny Maltese — a full-size brush is unwieldy on a 5-pound dog
• Mist the coat with water or detangling spray before brushing — never brush a Maltese coat completely dry, as it causes breakage
• Warn clients about sunburn if the coat is clipped very short — Maltese have pink skin with no pigment protection