The Maltese carries one of the most luxurious coats in the toy group: pure white, straight, silky, and — in show form — floor-length. Pet Maltese live happily in short trims, but the silk texture still sets the maintenance agenda.
The coat
A single coat of long, silky white hair with no undercoat. It sheds very little, tangles readily, and shows everything — tear stains, mud, and mouth staining are all high-visibility on brilliant white. The texture is fine enough that mats form close to the skin and tighten quickly, particularly behind the ears and in the armpits.
How often should a Maltese be groomed?
Every 4–6 weeks professionally in a pet trim. At home, comb through every day or two with a fine metal comb — for silk coats, the comb matters more than the brush, because surface brushing misses the root-level tangles. Daily face care (eye wipes, beard rinse) is the difference between a bright white face and permanent rusty staining.
Popular styles
- Puppy clip — one short, even length; the standard pet Maltese look and by far the easiest to keep white and mat-free.
- Teddy bear — rounded face with a slightly longer body; adds face-care work but very sweet.
- Bob with topknot — medium length with the hair tied up out of the eyes; a middle path between pet and show.
- Full show coat — floor-length, wrapped between shows, conditioned constantly. A dedicated pursuit.
What does Maltese grooming cost?
Typically £30–45 for a full pet groom. Whitening baths, dematting and very nervous dogs can add to that; a well-combed Maltese sits at the bottom of the range.
Between grooms
Wipe the eyes daily (tear staining is caused by moisture sitting on the hair — keeping it dry matters as much as any product), rinse the beard after eating, and comb to the skin in the mat zones. Bath only a combed-out coat, use a conditioner formulated for silk coats, and dry fully — a damp Maltese air-drying is a matting Maltese.