Maltese
A Maltese has fine, straight, white hair that keeps growing. Fine hair knots more easily than thick hair, and white shows every mark. Dogs NSW says a Maltese should be clipped about every eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush every 2 to 3 days
- Shedding
- Very little. Most of it stays in the coat.
- Watch for
- Tear stains, and knots behind the ears and under the legs
- Time in the salon
- About 95 minutes for a Full Groom
Fine hair, and what that means
The Maltese coat is a single layer of long, fine, straight hair with no soft layer underneath. It grows the way your own hair does. Fine hair is the catch. It does not form big knots so much as press together into flat, matted patches close to the skin. Those are harder to comb out than a normal knot. They are easier to miss, too.
Why eight weeks
Dogs NSW is direct about this: "A Maltese should be clipped approximately every 8 weeks." A full show coat needs about an hour of work a day. That is not realistic for a pet. A short trim brings it down to a few minutes every couple of days. Eight weeks keeps the trim short enough that brushing at home actually reaches the skin.
A flattened coat gets clipped rather than combed out. Working a matted patch loose pulls at the skin. It also takes far longer than your dog will happily stand.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush every two to three days. Lift the coat with one hand and take a thin line at a time, starting right down at the skin.
- Wipe under the eyes each day with a damp cloth. Tear stains set into white hair quickly.
- Check behind the ears and under the front legs. Fine hair presses flat there first.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Steel comb
Run it down to the skin. If it stops, you have found a knot.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A good conditioner keeps long hair sliding past itself instead of knotting. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Maltese at WOOOF
Most book a Full Groom: bath, full dry, ears, nails, a face trim and a scissor finish. It takes about 95 minutes. We use a brightening wash on white coats and clean up the tear staining as far as it will come. Tell us the length you want. Puppies start in the Happy Puppy Club.
What a Maltese groom costs
Set to a small dog with a long coat, which is where a Maltese sits.
Showing the lowest prices, for a small dog with a curly / long coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Maltese need grooming?
About every eight weeks. That is what Dogs NSW recommends, and it keeps the trim short enough for home brushing to reach the skin.
Can I get rid of my Maltese's tear stains?
You can reduce them. Wipe under the eyes daily with a damp cloth, and keep the hair trimmed back off the eye. Staining that is already in the hair grows out rather than washes out.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Maltese. "A Maltese should be clipped approximately every 8 weeks."
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
PetSure, Pet Health Monitor 2026. Ear infections in adult dogs cost $473 on average to treat.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.