The Maltese has a single coat of fine, pure-white, continuously growing hair with no undercoat. Most owners keep a puppy cut at $50–$85 every 4–6 weeks. The floor-length show coat is beautiful and is realistically a daily discipline.
A single silky coat
Maltese hair is fine, straight and single-layered. There's no undercoat, which means minimal shedding — good news for allergy sufferers and for your sofa — but the coat tangles readily because loose hair stays put, and it breaks easily if handled roughly.
The absence of an undercoat also means a Maltese has less insulation than most dogs. They feel cold genuinely, and a very short summer clip in an air-conditioned house can leave a dog shivering.
Keeping a white coat white
This is the challenge specific to the breed. Two things discolor a Maltese: tear staining around the eyes and general grubbiness on a low-slung white dog.
Tear staining is the persistent one. Reddish-brown marks below the eyes come from porphyrins in tears sitting on damp fur. What helps: wiping the area daily with a damp cloth and drying it thoroughly, keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed short, and using ceramic or steel bowls rather than plastic. What doesn't: most miracle products.
Persistent or sudden heavy staining is worth a vet check — blocked tear ducts, ingrown lashes and allergies all cause it, and no amount of grooming fixes a medical cause.
Whitening shampoos used every few baths help maintain brightness. Use them as directed and alternate with a gentle conditioning shampoo; overuse dries the coat.
Cut options
Puppy cut
One to two inches all over with a rounded face. The practical default.
Teddy bear cut
Fuller, rounder face; slightly longer body. Charming and marginally more upkeep around the eyes.
Show coat
Floor length, parted along the spine, topknot tied. Requires daily brushing, frequent bathing, oiling and often wrapping to prevent breakage.
What it costs
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full groom, puppy cut | $50–$85 |
| Bath, tidy & face trim | $30–$55 |
| Show coat maintenance | $75–$120 |
| Whitening treatment add-on | $10–$25 |
Annual cost in a puppy cut: roughly $500–$900.
Home care
- Brush daily with a pin brush, misting lightly first — never brush the coat dry, as fine hair snaps
- Comb through with a fine steel comb, especially behind the ears and under the legs
- Wipe the eye area daily and dry it
- Bathe every 2–3 weeks — more often than most breeds, because white shows everything
- Trim paw pad hair monthly to prevent slipping
- Keep the sanitary trim current — a hygiene necessity on a long white coat
Frequently asked questions
How often does a Maltese need grooming?
Every four to six weeks professionally, with daily brushing and eye care at home.
Why are my Maltese's eyes staining?
Porphyrins in tears sitting on damp fur. Wipe and dry daily, trim the hair short around the eyes, and see a vet if it appears suddenly or worsens.
Can I shave a Maltese?
Yes — single-coated, so it regrows normally. Don't go too short in cool weather; they have no undercoat and feel the cold.
Does a Maltese shed?
Very little. Loose hair stays in the coat, which is exactly why daily brushing matters despite the lack of visible shedding.
Related guides
Costs are typical U.S. ranges for 2026 and vary by region and coat condition.
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