Maltipoo Grooming

The Maltipoo, as a hybrid mix of a Maltese and a Poodle, has a fluffy, wavy to curly coat that needs a good bit of care. The coats, though low-shedding, will need daily brushing and frequent baths--and a wide variety of hairstyles are possible.

Here you'll find details on caring for a Maltipoo coat, including plenty of info about brushing and bathing. You'll also learn how to maintain your Maltipoo's eyes, ears, teeth, and paws--and you'll find out about several optional hairstyles.

Get answers to all your questions about Maltipoo grooming in the following sections!

As the offspring of two pretty high-maintenance breeds, grooming a Maltipoo is fairly time-consuming--and most of the work will involve maintaining their fluffy coats. These hybrids are low- to non-shedding, but they'll still need daily brushing to keep the coats tangle-free and in good shape.

Maltipoos will also need monthly baths to keep their coats clean, fluffy, and fresh-looking.

And these hybrids' coats can be cut or clipped in a wide variety of styles. Though it's possible for owners to learn how to fulfill all Maltipoo grooming needs themselves, most people rely on professional groomers for major tasks like haircuts and baths. These dogs will only need full haircuts every few months, but their faces and heads usually need monthly touch-ups. In any case, it's a good idea to take your Maltipoo to a pro at least once. The groomer can give the dog a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Maltipoo face, head, and body at home.

Caring for these dogs' coats will also require the use of a few Maltipoo grooming tools, including a pin brush, a greyhound comb, and canine shampoo and conditioner.

Your Maltipoo brush will need to happen daily. These hybrids' coats look best when they're fluffed out and shaped regularly--plus, daily brushing will help reduce the formation of tangles or mats.

The best brush for Maltipoo puppy and adult dogs is a rubber-tipped pin brush. This type helps fluff the coat the best, and the pins reach down to the hairs' roots to pull out any dead hairs. A greyhound comb will be good to have on hand as well.

How to brush a Maltipoo: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle (with some leave-in conditioner mixed in, if desired). Then starting at the shoulders, go through the coat section by section with the pin brush, brushing from the roots outward, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then if needed continue working through it with the end teeth of the comb.

These hybrids need bathing more often that a lot of other breeds, as their fluffy coats look the best just after being washed. "But how often should I bathe my Maltipoo?" new owners ask. On average, once a month will be okay--but some bathe these dogs a frequently as every two weeks.

It's important when bathing a Maltipoo to use canine shampoo and conditioner. The kind made for humans has a different pH, and will irritate these dogs' skin. The best shampoo for Maltipoo puppies and adults includes brands like Earthbath, Burt's Bees, and Buddy Wash, all of which have canine conditioner products as well.

How to bathe a Maltipoo: start by giving the dog a good brushing. Your Maltipoo might be small enough to bathe in the kitchen sink; otherwise, a bathtub (which hopefully has a spray nozzle attachment) or an outdoor plastic pool using a garden hose will work. Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a small amount of Maltipoo shampoo to the dog's back. Lather well, working downward and outward as you go. (And don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail!) Clean the face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely. Repeat the entire process with canine conditioner.

Towel-dry the coat, then continue drying with a hair dryer on its lowest setting, brushing and fluffing the hair out with the pin brush as you dry. Finish by giving the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean, fluffy, and neat.

Since these hybrids' coats are like the Poodle's and the Maltese's, many a haircut for Maltipoo dogs exists. Whether Maltipoo hair is cut short or left at fuller length, numerous Maltipoo cuts look fantastic on these little dogs!

(NOTE: Owners who choose shorter Maltipoo hairstyles should note that a shaved Maltipoo will sometimes change coat color, and the coat texture will usually soften as well.)

Here are a few of the most popular Maltipoo grooming styles:

• Puppy Cut: For Maltipoo dogs, this style is low-maintenance. The entire coat is clipped short (usually to about two inches). Some owners like to leave the hair on the face, head, ears, and legs a bit longer. Can be done at home with some practice.
• Lion Cut: This style makes the dog look like a tiny King of the Jungle! The Maltipoo Lion Cut sees the hair on the face, head, front of the body, and front legs left at full length; the rear of the body, hind legs, and tail are clipped short. Rounded hair "poms" are often sculpted on the end of the tail and the feet. Best done by a groomer.
• Teddy Bear Cut: The Maltipoo Teddy Bear Cut is similar to a Puppy Cut, but the hair on the legs, face, and head are carefully rounded to make the dog resemble an adorable stuffed animal. Probably best done by a groomer.
• Town and Country Cut: A very stylish look. This cut has the hair on the body clipped short--but the leg hair is fluffed and shaped in a cylindrical pattern; the hair on the head, ears, and tail is fluffed and rounded. Definitely needs a groomer's touch.

Besides its coat, your Maltipoo will need maintenance in the following areas:

• Tear Stains: Though they're naturally occurring and painless, Maltipoo tear stains look quite unsightly. Why do Maltipoos get tear stains in the first place? They're caused by the eyes' liquid discharge (which contains a lot of iron) drying on the hair of lighter-colored dogs, which stains it a reddish-brown. And though an Internet search for "Maltipoo eye stains" will produce a variety of results, vets say the best Maltipoo tear stain remover is a solution containing boric acid (like contact lens cleaner). Wiping the areas twice daily with a cotton ball moistened with that solution, vets say, will make the stains fade or even disappear after several days.
• Teeth: Just like a human's, Maltipoo teeth need regular brushing to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Maltipoo bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth 2-3 times per week with a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If Maltipoo ears aren't cleaned regularly, they'll collect dirt, grass, and other debris, and even get infected--which could lead to hearing loss. Clean the dog's ears once per month with canine ear cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, and always use cotton balls (never Q-Tips!) to wipe out any excess solution.
• Nails: If Maltipoo nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the nails as close to the toes as possible--but take care not to cut into the nail's quick (the blood vessel running through it), as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful.
• Toe Hair: If the hair between your Maltipoo's toes gets too long, it'll get extremely dirty and even cause infections. Use scissors to trim the hair short if needed.
• Paw Pads: A dog's paw pads can get dry, cracked, and tender, especially if the dog walks a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer (available at pet stores or online) to your Maltipoo's pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.