Maltese Grooming in Calgary

Q: Do Maltese have hair or fur?

Hair, not fur. Maltese have a long, silky single coat (no insulating undercoat) that grows continuously like human hair, rather than the seasonal-shedding double coat most dogs have. The breed standard show coat reaches the floor and parts down the centre back. Practical implications: minimal seasonal shedding (you won't find tufts on the couch), but the coat will mat severely if not brushed daily because dead hair stays tangled in living hair instead of falling out. Maltese need either daily brushing in a long coat or regular grooming in a shorter clip — there is no low-maintenance option.

Q: Why do Maltese need daily brushing?

Because their long single coat doesn't shed normally — dead hair stays trapped in living hair and forms mats within 24-48 hours, especially in friction zones (armpits, behind ears, between back legs, around the collar). Mats pull on skin painfully, trap moisture and bacteria (causing skin infections), and can cut off circulation. A neglected Maltese coat goes from manageable to "shave-down required" in 1-2 weeks. Daily 5-10 minute brushing prevents this entirely. Use a slicker brush + metal comb. Brush in sections, lifting layers from the skin out. Common new-owner mistake: only brushing the top of the coat — the mats form against the skin underneath. Always comb through after brushing to confirm no mats remain near the skin. If you keep a Maltese in a 1-2 inch puppy cut instead of long coat, you can drop to weekly brushing.

Q: What are the most common Maltese haircuts?

Five most common cuts: (1) Puppy cut — 1-2 inches all over, easy maintenance, the most popular pet cut. Looks "puppyish" regardless of dog's age. (2) Teddy bear cut — slightly longer face fur trimmed round (1.5-2 inches face/legs, 1-2 inches body). The fluffy "teddy bear" look. (3) Top knot / show cut — long flowing coat with hair tied up in a top knot to keep out of eyes. Requires daily brushing and regular tie-ups. The classic Maltese show look. (4) Kennel cut / summer cut — very short (¼-½ inch) all over for hot weather, low-maintenance, looks utilitarian. (5) Lion cut — long body coat, shaved or short legs and tail with pom-poms. Less common, more stylized. Most pet owners rotate between puppy cut and teddy bear cut. Show owners maintain top knot/show cut.

Q: How often does a Maltese need professional grooming?

Every 4-8 weeks depending on coat length. Calgary professional grooming costs: $60-$95 for full groom (bath, blow-dry, cut, nail trim, ear cleaning, sanitary trim). Add $10-$20 for de-matting if needed. Most owners do bath + face/sanitary trims at home between professional grooming to extend the interval. A Maltese in a kept-long coat needs grooming every 6-8 weeks for trim plus weekly home grooming. A puppy-cut Maltese needs grooming every 4-6 weeks. Calgary boutique groomers experienced with Maltese: Suburban Dog, Bow Wow Groomers, Riverbend Pet Salon ($75-$95+). Chain stores (Petsmart, Pet Valu) charge less ($50-$70). Mobile groomers ($90-$130) come to your home — ideal for senior or anxious Maltese.

Q: How often should I bathe my Maltese?

Every 2-3 weeks for white-coat maintenance — more often than most breeds because the white coat shows dirt, tear stains, and food residue. Use Maltese-appropriate shampoo: whitening shampoo (Chris Christensen, Cowboy Magic) for white coats, hypoallergenic and oatmeal-based for general use. Avoid: human shampoo (wrong pH), heavily fragranced dog shampoo (skin irritant). Critical drying technique: thoroughly dry the coat or you risk hot spots and yeast under the dense hair. Towel dry, then air dry in a warm room with a fan or use a low-heat setting. Pay extra attention to drying inside facial folds, under the chin, between toes — damp = infection. Monthly anal gland expression for maintenance.

Q: What should I tell a Calgary groomer about my Maltese?

Things to specify when booking: (1) Cut style and length you want — bring a photo if possible. (2) Face style — round teddy bear, top knot for show, or trimmed-back "no eye hair" if avoiding tear stains. (3) Eye trim — short hair around eyes (1cm or less) regardless of body length. (4) Tear stain treatment — most Calgary groomers can apply Eye Envy or vinegar-based stain treatment as part of grooming session. (5) Sanitary trim. (6) Whitening shampoo for white coat — most groomers offer this on request. (7) Anal gland expression — yes/no preference. Build a relationship with one groomer over time — they'll know your dog's tendencies.

The short answer

Maltese need daily attention. White coat shows tear stains dramatically — daily eye-area cleaning + filtered water + ceramic bowls + Eye Envy ($30–$40 Calgary) is the standard tear-stain protocol. Long single coat (hair, not fur) doesn't shed normally — mats form within 24–48 hours without brushing. Daily 5–10 minute brushing if kept in a long coat (or weekly if puppy-cut), professional grooming every 4–8 weeks ($60–$95 in Calgary), bath every 2–3 weeks (more than most breeds for white-coat maintenance). Daily top knot to protect eyes from corneal ulcers. Most pet owners choose a puppy cut or teddy bear cut for easier maintenance vs the show-coat top knot.

Why does my white Maltese have brown stains around the eyes?

Tear staining (rusty-brown discoloration under the eyes) is the Maltese-defining grooming challenge — the white coat shows porphyrin pigments dramatically. Caused by porphyrins in tears, exacerbated by minerals in tap water, food sensitivities, yeast, blocked tear ducts, allergies. Calgary water is hard with high mineral content — known to worsen tear staining.

Daily routine:

Wipe under eyes with damp soft cloth or sterile saline pad each morning
Trim hair around eyes very short (1cm or less)
Switch to filtered or distilled water — Calgary tap water aggravates staining
Use ceramic or stainless steel bowls (plastic harbors bacteria)
Eye Envy (powder + liquid kit, $30–$40) is the most-recommended Calgary product. Apply once daily for 2 weeks then taper
Apple cider vinegar (1 tsp diluted in water bowl daily) helps some Maltese

Avoid: hydrogen peroxide near eyes (cornea damage), bleaching products marketed for tear stains. If staining gets worse despite routine, vet check for blocked tear ducts, dry eye, chronic eye infection, or allergies. Some Maltese have permanent tear staining due to anatomy or chronic conditions — manage daily, accept the limit.

Do Maltese have hair or fur?

Hair, not fur. Maltese have a long, silky single coat (no insulating undercoat) that grows continuously. Minimal seasonal shedding, but mats severely if not brushed daily. Maltese need either daily brushing in a long coat or regular grooming in a shorter clip — there is no low-maintenance option.

Why do Maltese need daily brushing?

Mats form within 24–48 hours. A neglected Maltese coat goes from manageable to “shave-down required” in 1–2 weeks. Daily 5–10 minute brushing prevents this entirely.

Brush kit: slicker brush (Chris Christensen Big G, Hertzko $25–$80) + metal comb ($15–$25). Brush in sections from skin out, comb through after to verify no mats. Common new-owner mistake: only brushing the top of the coat — mats form against the skin underneath. Puppy-cut Maltese can drop to weekly brushing.

What are the most common Maltese haircuts?

Five most common cuts:

Cut	Length	Best For	Maintenance
Puppy cut	1–2 inches	Most popular pet cut	Weekly brushing
Teddy bear	1.5–2 inches	Fluffy rounded face	Weekly brushing
Top knot / show	Floor-length	Show ring, classic	Daily + top knot tie-up
Kennel / summer	¼–½ inch	Hot weather, low-maintenance	Bi-weekly brushing
Lion cut	Long body, short legs/tail	Stylized look	Weekly brushing

Most Calgary pet owners rotate between puppy cut and teddy bear cut.

How often does a Maltese need professional grooming?

Every 4–8 weeks. Calgary professional grooming: $60–$95 for full groom (bath, blow-dry, cut, nail trim, ear cleaning, sanitary trim). Add $10–$20 for de-matting. Boutique groomers $75–$95+, chain stores $50–$70, mobile groomers $90–$130.

How do I do a Maltese top knot?

Top knot keeps facial hair out of the eyes and prevents tear staining + corneal ulcers.

Brush facial hair forward over forehead
Gather hair from above eyes, between ears, in a section about 1–2 inches wide
Use a small soft elastic band (latex-free craft elastic, never rubber bands)
Form a small ponytail high on the head
Optional: add a small bow or pin
Re-do daily

Daily top knot is non-negotiable for show coats and any Maltese kept in a long-face style. If your dog won't tolerate it, ask your groomer to trim a “round-face” cut.

How often should I bathe my Maltese?

Every 2–3 weeks for white-coat maintenance — more often than most breeds because the white coat shows dirt, tear stains, and food residue. Whitening shampoo (Chris Christensen, Cowboy Magic) for white coats, hypoallergenic + oatmeal-based for general use. Critical drying technique: thoroughly dry the coat or you risk hot spots and yeast under the dense hair.

Are Maltese hypoallergenic?

Often tolerated by people with mild dog allergies, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Single coat of hair (not fur) with minimal shedding reduces dander and saliva-protein exposure. People with mild allergies often tolerate Maltese well. Severe allergies may still react. Bathing every 2–3 weeks significantly reduces allergen load. Before adopting: 2–3 hour visit + 48-hour wait if you have allergies.

What should I tell a Calgary groomer about my Maltese?

Things to specify when booking:

Cut style and length — bring a photo if possible
Face style — round teddy bear, top knot for show, or trimmed-back “no eye hair”
Eye trim — short hair around eyes (1cm or less) regardless of body length
Tear stain treatment — most Calgary groomers can apply Eye Envy or vinegar-based stain treatment
Sanitary trim
Whitening shampoo for white coat — most groomers offer on request
Anal gland expression yes/no preference

Frequently Asked Questions

Tear stains?

Daily wipe + trim hair short around eyes + filtered water + ceramic/stainless bowls + Eye Envy ($30–$40). Calgary hard water aggravates staining. Avoid hydrogen peroxide.

Hair or fur?

Hair, single coat, no undercoat. Continuous growth like human hair. Minimal shedding. Mats easily without daily brushing.

Daily brushing required?

Yes for long coats — mats in 24–48 hours. Slicker + comb. Brush from skin out. Puppy cut owners can drop to weekly.

5 cuts?

Puppy (1–2''), teddy bear (rounded face), top knot/show (long), kennel/summer (¼–½''), lion (long body, short legs/tail).

Professional grooming frequency?

Every 4–8 weeks. Calgary $60–$95 full groom. Boutique $75–$95+, chain $50–$70, mobile $90–$130.

Top knot how-to?

Brush facial hair forward, gather above eyes between ears, soft elastic, small high ponytail, redo daily.

Bath frequency?

Every 2–3 weeks (more than most breeds for white coat). Whitening shampoo. Dry coat thoroughly.

Hypoallergenic?

Often tolerated by mild allergies. Hair not fur, minimal shedding. Trial visit + 48hr wait before adopting if allergic.

What to tell groomer?

Cut style + length (with photo), face style, eye trim short, tear stain treatment, whitening shampoo, anal glands.

Related Guide

Maltese Grooming & Tear Stain Care