Paige McIlwain, training director at Dawg . Salty Pet Salon. It’s because of their fur, like Other mixed breeds Oodles and Oos, is a combination of two dog breeds with very different coats. The Maltese has a thin, straight to wavy coat, while the Poodle has a thick, curly coat.
Depending on the genetics, “the Maltipoo’s coat types can closely resemble one of those breeds or anything in between,” says Paige.
The varied coat texture places each Maltipoo in a unique grooming situation. However, there are a few grooming tips that all Maltipoo pet parents can follow to maintain a smooth white appearance without naturally tangling.
How often should I groom my Maltipoo?
Maltipoos benefit from regular professional brushing, but how often you take your dog to the grooming salon depends on how long you want to keep the coat. For shorter cuts, such as ½ inch or shorter, you can spread the groomer’s visits out over about six to eight weeks, says Paige. For lengths between 5/8 and an inch, Paige recommends grooming every three to six weeks, and for anything longer than an inch, every two to four weeks.
“These guidelines not only help owners and stylists manage their pets, but they also keep pets in a low-stress routine and still look their best,” says Paige.
A realistic approach to how often you can brush your dog at home and how often you can take your dog to grooming appointments will guide the Maltipoo’s coat length.
What grooming services should Maltipoos receive?
During grooming appointments, Maltipoos will receive:
- Comb your hair, cut and remove any knots
- Trim and file nails (every two to four weeks to maintain a healthy length)
- Clean the ears by wiping the outside of the dog’s ears
- Bathtub
Exposing anal glands, plucking ear hairs and Deeper ear cleaning to your vet.
Grooming style for Maltipoos
There is no standard hairstyle for Maltipoos as they are mixed breed, but there are the most common Maltipoo haircuts requested:
- Teddy Bear Style: A simple length that wraps around the body with a slightly rounded and smooth top. “We like to call them the Lifestyle Grooms,” says Paige. This style is versatile and can be cut to any length. Ear and tail length is usually trimmed to the owner’s preference.
- Lamb cut: shorter body with fuller flared legs. This style can adapt to many combinations of coat length, tail style, ears and face. This gives the impression of longer hair without the full-length hairstyle. Paige advises: “Just remember to regularly brush and comb the longer legs to maintain the look.
Maltipoo grooming costs
On average, a Maltipoo grooming session will cost between $65 and $80 per month. However, the cost will depend on where you live and if extra time is needed to detangle and clean your dog’s coat, this is a top grooming issue and often more expensive.
Other top Maltipoo grooming issues Paige sees include:
- Tangled or carpet
- Reluctance to hold the feet to cut, trim or brush the nails
- Fear of blow dryer
Carpets and tangles on Maltipoos — and any breed with longer coats — are painful because the dog’s skin is constantly stretched.
“Weekly or monthly detangling is extremely frustrating for your pet,” says Paige.
Grooming your Maltipoo at home
The most important home grooming is brushing the Maltipoo’s coat daily.
“This keeps your pet’s hair from bunching up and forming painful mats, so you can keep your pet any style you want,” says Paige.
If the Maltipoo’s coat is too tangled, it is often advised to shave the coat short to promote healthy regrowth.
What is the best brush for Maltipoos?
Grooming experts recommend a sleek brush for daily home grooming. The sleek brush divides tangles into smaller segments. Paige says: Combine your sleek brush with a wide, fine-toothed double-sided metal comb to brush away any remaining knots. The wide toothed side of the comb also works to brush debris and other food out of the coat.
Paige suggested Flying Pawfect Smooth Brushwhich you can buy on Amazon and Comb for calvesAlso available on Amazon.
Other grooming brushes we recommend:
More Maltipoo grooming tips at home
Paige says, clean the dog’s muzzle area, inner eye corner, and potty area. Some of our favorite grooming wipes include:
It’s a good idea to shower between your haircut appointments with your barber, and many salons even offer a shower service if you can’t shower. Bathing the dog at home.
After bathing, untangle your pet’s coat while or immediately after drying to prevent knots from getting bigger and tighter.
“If maintaining a high-maintenance clamp doesn’t fit your schedule, choose a shorter trim for ease of care between salon appointments,” says Paige.
