A designer dog breed that originated from the cross between a Maltese and a miniature/toy Poodle is the adorable Maltipoo. This breed is is known for their small size, adorable looks and their high affectionate temperament. They weigh around 5-20 pounds and stand at 8-14 inches tall. From white to black, you can find a Maltipoo in a variety of colors including cream, apricot, brown and even mixed colors.
A Maltipoo is a single-coat dog with three different coat types inherited from their dominant poodle gene.
COAT TYPE | CHARACTERISTICS |
Curly | Similar to that of their poodle parent. It is highly prone to matting; therefore, it is considered high maintenance and demands attention. |
Wavy | This coat type is the most common among the breeds. They are comparatively softer and less prone to matting than curly coats, but still require daily brushing. |
Straight | This coat type is more inclined towards its Maltese genes and, hence, has a straight, sleek coat. This coat type requires frequent trims to keep it neat and maintain its shape. |
A Maltipoo needs regular grooming that is based on a certain frequency
Grooming Need | Frequency |
Brushing Coat | A thick, curly coat has to be brushed daily, but other coats will require daily brushing as well. |
Bathing | Every 2 weeks, depending on their activity level. |
Ear Cleaning | Every 2-4 weeks. |
Nail Trimming | Every 4-6 weeks. |
Brushing Teeth | Daily or at least 3 times a week. |
GROOMING YOUR MALTIPOO LIKE THE PROFESSIONALS
LIST OF RECOMMENDED TOOLS:
-Blade 30
-Chunkers - P&W Umberto Lehmann
-Curved scissors - Jargem
1. Brushing your Maltipoo
Of course grooming starts with brushing your pooch, it is the most basic yet important element in grooming your dog. Maltipoo generally is classified as an hypoallergenic dog that is less likely to shed, however we still advice you to run their coat with a slicker brush almost every day.
If your pooch has thick curly hair that requires a more heavy-duty brush, you should opt for a slicker brush; however, if it is more on the Maltese side, a pin-and-bristle brush should do the job. Keep switching to the side that gives you satisfying results.
A curly coat is more likely to develop tangles and matting, but that doesn't imply that a sleek coat will be void of this threat. Always brush dry coat after spraying them with detangling mist or leave in products and brush along the growth of the coat. The downside of using detangling sprays is that they can saturate your dogs coat, so our groomers suggest spraying the brush instead before raking through the coat.
Since a Maltipoo does not have an undercoat, you can work in sections such that you lift the fur from the root up to the tip in quick, repetitive motions a couple of times before moving to the next one.
Post bathing brushing should be done with a small rubber tip pin brush. Make sure to go all the way down to the roots, this will help remove any dead hair from the coat. When blow drying through the coat, run a metal tooth comb or a small pin brush to help fluff it up as well as remove tangles.
Be extremely patient, as it can take some time due to the thickness of the fur. Pay extra attention to areas of high friction, such as behind the ears and under the legs.
2. How to bathe your Maltipoo
Some groomers suggest bathing Maltipoos once a month, while others suggest bathing them every 1-2 weeks.
This is a bit tricky since bathing them too often will dry out their skin and strip them of oils that keep their coat shiny and silky. On the other hand, not bathing them enough will result in the accumulation of the same oils such that small pieces of fur will break and fall back into the coat, resulting in intermingling with the oils. This, in turn, will cause blocked pores, tangled hair and horrible odour.
Bath them will warm water when bathing them for maintenance at home. You should fill up your tub or sink have way and then massage their wet fur with a high-quality canine shampoo and conditioner. Rinse out each product thoroughly until the water starts running clean.
You can start bathing your Maltipoo puppy as early as 8 weeks, however new born puppies should only be wiped down with a damp cloth.
Make sure to cover their eyes when washing their face to avoid any soap from irritating their eyes. Post-shower, wrap them up in an absorbent towel and then blow dry them on a medium heat using a dog hair dryer while brushing their coat in the direction of hair growth, as mentioned above.
3. Trimming your Maltipoo
You can start trimming your Maltipoo when they reach 6 months of age. This is when their adult coat comes in; anything before that will result in a damaged coat that will last an entire lifetime. Maltipoos require trimming because their hair grows out fast, so you may need regular trimming, considering the length of coat you prefer.
If you're grooming your Maltipoo at home, you can use curved shears and a trimmer variation to clip extra hair between the eyes very carefully. As for the coat, if you prefer it short use a guard comb of 0.625 inches to trim the body coat. For a longer variation you can use a guard comb of 0.5inches. Glide the clippers over the coat , if the coat texture is more on the Maltese side, cut against the grain, vice versa for poodle textured hair.
If you shave your dog, they won't require much grooming since there's not much hair to groom. If you do a puppy cut or a shave, after 4–5 months, your dog can get groomed again since the hair is shorter. Remember to clip under the paws and belly as well as around the genitals.
We recommend you get your Maltipoo groomed professionally every 4-6 weeks whilst having a regular grooming routine at home for maintenance.
4. Wiping Maltipoo tear stains
A damp cloth or a wash cloth soaked with Hydrogen peroxide, or any vet recommended tear stain remover will help you wipe away the most stubborn tear stains. In some cases vet would recommend eye drops or chaning their current products therefore it is always smart to have a consultation before your start using any products.
5. Cleaning a Maltipoo ears
Check the ears regularly for wax build-up, discharge or noticing any weird smells. To clean the insides, wrap your finger around a sterile gauze or piece of cotton soaked in ear-cleaning solution. Gently swirl it around the dog's ear without protruding your finger inside the canal until it comes out clean.
Tweezers or a small pair of canine ear forceps- To puck out any long, stray hair in the ears during bath time is a viable option as well.
6. Trimming nails
Rule of thumb is to bring out your nail clippers as soon as you start hearing the clacking sound when your dog walks. Use good quality clippers to trim the Maltipoos nails as recommended above.
Be careful not to cut too deep.
7. Dental Hygiene
The breed, like other small breeds is highly prone to dental problems. This is why we advuse regular brushing. If your dog doesn’t like their teeth being brushed, you can use dental chews and dental chew toys as an alternate. Make sure to always use dog tooth paste; vet recommended.
POPULAR MALTIPOO GROOMING STYLES
Maltese Inspired Cut
For Maltipoos who have slightly straighter coats, a long, flowy style similar to their dominant parent. It is a much more glamorous look appropriate for show dogs with a short body and long, fluffy ears.
Puppy Cut
A puppy cut is an ideal low maintenance cut with about 1/2 an inch of fur length throughout the body. It reduces the chances of matting and lasts long even with the fluff effect.
Teddy Bear Cut
Teddy bear cut is a popular choice among all small breeds as it accentuates their features. It bring out their fluffy coat and big round eyes that match their rounded heads. It is manageable and easy to maintain.
Lamb Cut
The haircut is popular for its cylindrical appearance, which enhances the straighter coat. This style has the body trimmed short, and the legs are left longer for a more modern-day look.
CONCLUSION
1. Grooming Table: A sturdy, waist-height table that provides a safe and comfortable space for grooming tasks. It can be especially helpful for detailed work like trimming around the face and paws.
2. Dog Brush: An essential tool for daily grooming. A slicker brush is often recommended for Maltipoos due to their curly or wavy coats. Regular brushing helps prevent tangles and matting, and it also keeps the coat looking its best.
3. Nail Clippers: Maltipoos, like all dogs, need their nails trimmed regularly. There are several types of dog nail clippers, but the guillotine style or scissor style are commonly recommended.
4. Styptic Powder: A useful first-aid supply for grooming, styptic powder helps stop bleeding quickly if a nail is accidentally clipped too short.
5. Pet Wipes: Handy for quick clean-ups, pet wipes can be used to clean a Maltipoo's face, paws, and other areas without the need for a full bath.
6. Shampoo and Conditioner: It's important to use a high-quality shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for dogs. These products should be gentle on the skin and suitable for frequent use, given Maltipoos' bathing needs.
7. Dog Toothpaste and Toothbrush: Dental hygiene is an often-overlooked aspect of grooming. Regular brushing with dog-safe toothpaste can help prevent dental issues and keep your Maltipoo's breath fresh.
8. Ear Cleaner: A dog-specific ear cleaning solution can help prevent ear infections, which Maltipoos can be prone to due to their floppy ears.
9. Hair Clippers: For those comfortable doing so, a good pair of hair clippers can be used for at-home hair trims between professional grooming appointments.
A Maltipoo is a designer hybrid breed that classifies as high maintenance yet hypoallergenic. Even with its multiple coat types, it requires regular grooming which includes brushing, ear cleaning, trimming, and bathing. It is important to keep each aspect of the coat in excellent condition and keep it void of matting.
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