The Ultimate Guide To Dogs Dog Grooming Guide A-Z Dog Grooming Guide Maltese Grooming

Maltese Grooming

Maltese Breed Profile

Average Weight:
Male – 2 – 3kg (4 – 7lbs).
Female – 2 – 3kg (4 – 6lbs).

Average Height:
Male – 21 – 25cm (8 – 10in).
Female – 19 – 23cm (7 – 9in).

Coat:
Flat, long, silky coat.

Average Life Span:
12 – 15 years.

Average Litter Size:
2 – 4 puppies.

Maltese Fast Facts

Ease To Train
Exercise Needs
Grooming Frequency
Energy Level
Protective Instincts
Behaviour Around Children
Relationship With Other Pets
Loyalty To Owner
Ease To Train
Some dogs are easy to train while others require more effort. General breed factors are taken into consideration to determine how easy you should find it to train your dog. On the scale, a 1 indicates that your dog will be difficult to train while a 10 indicates that your dog should be easy to train.

Exercise Needs
Dogs vary greatly in the amount of exercise they need on a daily basis. Some may need long, vigorous walks while a walk around the block will be sufficient for some. A score towards the lower end of the scale means that your dog requires little exercise while a score towards 5 indicates that they have high exercise needs.

Grooming Frequency
Depending on your dog’s coat, the grooming frequency will vary. Some will need brushing every day while others can be groomed once a week. On this scale, a 1 shows that a dog needs very little grooming while a 5 shows they require plenty of upkeep.

Energy Level
Some breeds have incredibly high energy levels and find it difficult to rest while others prefer sleeping for large parts of the day. A score of 1 on the scale indicates the dog has a low energy level while a 5 shows they have extremely high levels of energy.

Protective Instincts
Many dogs have protective instincts and may act wary around strangers while others are much more friendly and accepting. A score of 1 indicates that your dog is unlikely to react to strangers while a score of 5 shows that your dog is likely to be wary.

Behaviour Around Children
Many dogs that are reared and socialised around children understand how to interact with them but some breeds are completely unsuitable to have around children. On this scale, a score of 1 shows that a breed is not good around children while a score of 5 shows they are perfectly compatible.

Relationship With Other Pets
Stereotypically dogs don’t get on with other pets but often this is not the case; many dogs enjoy the company of other animals. A score of 1 shows that it is not a good idea to mix a breed with other pets while a 5 indicates they tend to get on well with other animals.

Loyalty To Owner
Most dogs are extremely loyal to their owners and family, although there are a few that are quite independent. A low score of 1 indicates that a breed does not have a strong sense of loyalty while a score of 5 shows that they are extremely loyal.
Due to their long coat, Maltese grooming is a rather arduous task but one that is vital for this dog to look and feel fantastic.  It is thought these dogs could be related to the Bichon Frise, which may explain their single layered coat, although the Maltese coat is flat and silky.  Some people, mainly those that do not show their dogs, choose to give their dog a ‘puppy cut’ where the hair is clipped to make it much more manageable.  This dog and the process of Maltese grooming is perfect for those that have allergies as they barely shed their coat, making them hypoallergenic.

As with any breed, Maltese grooming requires regular bathing – this may be fairly often if your dog has a long coat, and less so if it is cut short.  However, you should exercise caution as bathing your pet too often will lead to a dry skin and coat as the natural oils are stripped away.  Always make sure you use specialised dog shampoos and conditioners when bathing your Maltese to keep the coat in its best condition.  With this breed it is vital that you check all products are washed out of the fur as any left in could cause serious skin irritation.  When it comes to keeping the coat clean, it is necessary to clean tearing when it occurs.  This simply involves wiping away any dirty marks from around the eyes with grooming wipes or a damp cloth.  During this stage of Maltese grooming, you could also clean their ears to prevent infection.

No matter how your dog’s coat is cut, Maltese grooming needs to involve brushing the fur regularly.  A slicker brush would be the best tool to use as this will glide through the coat quite easily, allowing you to remove any knots and tangles as you go.  Because of the fabulous coat this breed has, you should brush your Maltese at least three times a week and more if they require it.  Letting a matt build up in the fur will only result in it being unmanageable and the likelihood that it will have to be cut off.  Therefore, brushing several times a week is required, even if you give your dog a puppy cut.  Not only is this good Maltese grooming practice, it will keep your dog looking its best.

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