Maltese Grooming Guide — Cost, Styles & Care Tips

Grooming Guide

White coat shows every stain. Tear staining is very common and needs daily attention. Daily brushing if kept long. Most owners keep a puppy cut for manageability.

Popular Maltese Haircut Styles

Puppy Cut

Even length all over (usually ½–1 inch), clean face and feet. Simple, practical, and comfortable — ideal for active dogs or warm climates.

Maintenance: Low Add-on: +$0

Teddy Bear Cut

Uniform 1–2 inch length all over, rounded face — the most popular pet cut. Gives a cuddly, puppy-like appearance that's easy to maintain between grooms.

Maintenance: Medium Add-on: +$0–$10

Show Coat

Full-length coat maintained for the show ring. Requires daily brushing, wrapping, and professional conditioning. Not practical for most pet owners.

Maintenance: Very High Add-on: +$30–$50

Bob Cut

Chin-length trim for small breeds — neat, tidy, and keeps hair out of eyes and food bowls. Quick and easy to maintain.

Maintenance: Low Add-on: +$0–$5

Top Knot

Body trimmed short with longer hair on the head tied or bowed up. Keeps hair out of eyes while maintaining a cute look.

Maintenance: Medium Add-on: +$0–$5

At-Home Care Tips

Brush daily or every other day to keep the coat healthy and distribute natural oils
Trim nails every 2-4 weeks or use a Dremel for smooth edges
Clean ears weekly — this breed is prone to ear infections
Regular bathing every 4-8 weeks helps keep the coat clean and healthy
Use breed-appropriate grooming tools — ask your groomer for recommendations

See Detailed Grooming Costs View All Haircut Styles

Boarding & Daycare

Tiny and delicate — small-dog area only. Strong separation anxiety. May refuse to eat in unfamiliar settings. Bring familiar blanket/toy.

Key Stats

Energy Level

Separation Anxiety

Trainability

What to Tell Your Boarding Facility

Energy level: Moderate energy — daily walks and some play time

Social style: gentle, playful — prone to separation anxiety, benefits from extra attention

Should be in small-dog play groups only

Grooming during boarding: Daily brushing recommended to prevent matting

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Maltese grooming cost?

Professional grooming for a Maltese typically costs $45–$75 per session. The exact price depends on your location, the dog's size within the breed range (4–7 lbs), coat condition, and the style you choose. Severely matted coats may incur additional dematting fees.

How often should a Maltese be groomed?

Malteses should be professionally groomed every 4–6 weeks. Between professional visits, regular at-home brushing is important — even though this breed is a low shedder.

Are Malteses good for boarding?

Tiny and delicate — small-dog area only. Strong separation anxiety. May refuse to eat in unfamiliar settings. Bring familiar blanket/toy.

What is the best haircut for a Maltese?

The most popular Maltese haircuts are Puppy Cut, Teddy Bear Cut, Show Coat. The best choice depends on your lifestyle, how much brushing you want to do at home, and your dog's comfort level with grooming.

Do Malteses shed a lot?

Malteses have a shedding level of 1 out of 5. They are considered very low shedders, making them popular for allergy sufferers.

How much does a Maltese weigh?

Malteses typically weigh 4–7 lbs. They are classified as small dogs. Weight affects grooming prices — larger dogs within the breed range will generally cost more to groom.

🐶 Maltese Grooming Guide