Breed · Long coats that mat
Maltese grooming: daily combing, trims and the right tools
AKC's Maltese coat facts: a single silky coat combed to the skin daily, fast-growing nails, weekly ear checks, tear stains and the tools that fit.
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Short answer
The Maltese has a long, silky, white coat that AKC rates 1 of 5 for shedding; its breed standard describes a single coat with no undercoat. AKC says the coat needs daily gentle brushing and combing to the skin to prevent mats, plus regular baths, and that its fast-growing nails need regular trims. Core tools: gentle slicker or pin brush, metal comb, nail clippers. Don't shave to the skin: AKC suggests leaving at least an inch of hair.
Key facts
- Coat type (AKC)
- Silky[1]Breed standard: a single coat, without undercoat.
- Coat length (AKC)
- Long[1]
- Shedding (AKC, 1-5)
- 1 of 5[1]
- Brushing (AKC guidance)
- Daily, gently, brushed and combed to the skin[1]
- Seasonal shedding
- None noted by AKC[1]
- Clipping and shaving
- An occasional professional clip; leave at least an inch and never shave to the skin (AKC)[2][1]Breed standard: scraggly hairs on the feet may be trimmed.
- Nail trims
- Fast-growing; trim regularly (AKC)[1]
Watch out for
- Tear stains: AKC recommends a vet visit to find the cause if staining around the eyes is excessive.
- Ears: AKC's Maltese page says to check them weekly and remove excess hair, wax or debris, while AKC's groomer standards advise against plucking hair inside the ear, so ask your vet before removing ear-canal hair.
- Never cut a mat out with scissors; VCA says clippers only, and a groomer or vet for severe tangles.
- Grinders can catch long foot hair (VCA); a clipper avoids the problem.
What fits
Product details below are the seller's own description unless a source is shown. Pick the variant named for each item.
Image: AliExpress Slicker brush
Self-cleaning slicker brush (PS1140)Choose the single brush; any color.
For small tangles; use light pressure on a fine coat. AKC lists slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair.
Sold by Stone's Store
Image: AliExpress Paw trimmer
LED paw trimmer with nail-grinder headChoose the white trimmer, not the spare cutter head.
For scraggly hair on the feet, which the breed standard allows trimming.
Sold by lazyishhouse Official Store
Image: AliExpress Clipper
Rechargeable pet hair clipperChoose the standard version.
For an occasional shorter trim; keep at least an inch of hair (AKC). The seller doesn't state blade lengths.
Sold by YiHong Kuchi Store
Image: AliExpress Nail clipper
Scissor-style pet nail clipper with LED lightChoose the gray clipper.
For the fast-growing nails AKC describes.
Sold by Shop1105233629 Store
Metal comb
Andis 68550 stainless steel pet dematting comb, 7.5 inChoose the Andis 68550 7.5 in stainless steel dematting comb. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or Andis before you buy.
AKC says to brush and comb gently to the skin every day. Andis doesn't state its tooth spacing.
Daily: a gentle brush-through in sections, then a comb to the skin. Weekly: an ear check. Regularly: baths with coat conditioning and nail trims (AKC). AKC also suggests brushing the teeth, ideally each time you brush the coat.
No catalog pick yet for a pin brush; see slicker vs pin brush and how to clean dog ears safely.
Questions
How often should a Maltese be brushed?
Daily. AKC says the coat needs gentle brushing and combing to the skin every day to prevent mats and tangles.[1]
Does a Maltese have an undercoat?
No. AKC's breed standard describes a single coat, without undercoat, that hangs long, flat and silky, and AKC's summer article lists the Maltese among single-coated dogs.[1][2]
Can I clip my Maltese short for summer?
AKC says single-coated dogs such as the Maltese may benefit from an occasional clip by a professional groomer, but shouldn't be shaved to the skin; leave at least an inch of hair against sunburn and bug bites.[2]