Are you looking for a friendly and cuddly little dog that loves to play and also ranks highly in terms of intelligence? Then you could be the perfect owner for a Maltipoo!
The Maltipoo is a cross between the Poodle and the Maltese dog. The Poodle parent is usually a Miniature or Toy Poodle, hence the tiny size of the average Maltipoo.
Maltipoos are known for being highly affectionate, playful, and trainable. They are great family dogs for families with older children and make wonderful companions and emotional support dogs.
But before you commit to the idea of bringing a Maltipoo into your home, you’ll need to know exactly how to groom and care for your new addition. Maltipoos have some pretty specific handling requirements, and their coats are quite high maintenance.
In this article, we’ll be explaining how to groom a Maltipoo in the form of a handy, step-by-step guide. With our help, you’ll be a confident Maltipoo groomer in no time!
All About Maltipoos
We provided some information about the Maltipoo as a breed in our introduction, but if you’re going to be a proficient and knowledgeable groomer for your Maltipoo, you’ll need to know a few more things about your furry friend.
Maltipoos only became popular in the United States quite recently, in the last 30 years or so. However, they quickly became a firm favorite amongst dog owners with allergies because of their hypoallergenic status. Their adorable, teddy bear-like appearance certainly helped as well!
The Maltipoo’s friendly temperament makes this dog a joy to have around the home. However, Maltipoos are also prone to anxiety and have super-sensitive skin in addition to high-maintenance, fluffy coats. This means that grooming a Maltipoo can be a challenging experience.
Don’t worry, though – our step-by-step guide is here to teach you everything you need to know!
How to Groom a Maltipoo
Step 1: Bathe, if needed
Because grooming a soiled coat is never ideal, you may want to start off the grooming process by giving your Maltipoo a bath.
Now, your Maltipoo will need grooming at least twice a week, possibly more if they’ve been rolling around in the dirt outside.
However, Maltipoos generally only need to be bathed every few weeks or so. That means that you don’t need to bathe your Maltipoo each time you groom them.
If it’s been a few weeks since your dog’s last bath, or you can see that their coat is in need of a wash, it’s definitely worth doing this before trying to brush out the coat. We highly recommend using a hypoallergenic shampoo for you Maltipoo.
Step 2: Apply detangling spray
Maltipoos are very sensitive little dogs, so the last thing you want to do while grooming them is accidentally pull too hard on their hair since this can cause a lot of pain.
That’s why it’s so important to use a detangling spray before you get into any of the potentially painful steps of the grooming process.
We’d recommend a mild, hypoallergenic, and non-toxic detangling formula like The Stuff 16oz Conditioner & Detangler.
Spray this all over your dog’s body, including the legs and feet. Avoid the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth as much as possible since getting the product in these areas can cause irritation.
The Stuff 16oz Conditioner & Detangler
No products found.Step 3: Slicker brush
Now that you’ve conditioned your Maltipoo’s coat with the detangler, you’re ready to start brushing.
Using a slicker brush (we recommend the Pet Portal Dog or Cat Brush for Shedding and Grooming), give the coat a careful once-over to tease out any matting or tangles.
Some dog groomers recommend starting with the smallest parts of your Maltipoo’s body (the feet) and working your way upwards. Others recommend the reverse, starting with the body and finishing with the legs and feet.
Ultimately, the order you work in is up to you and your Maltipoo. Whatever feels natural and makes both of you feel most comfortable is what you should stick to.
Remember to be extra gentle because of the Maltipoo’s heightened sensitivity. It may be a good idea to run your fingers through your dog’s coat before brushing so that hidden knots don’t take you by surprise and cause accidental pulling.
Pet Portal Dog or Cat Brush for Shedding and Grooming
No products found.Step 4: Comb through
The slicker brush should be enough to get most of the bigger knots out of your Maltipoo’s coat since Maltipoos don’t have undercoats or shed as much as some other breeds.
However, you should still comb through their coat with a finer comb just to make sure that no small tangles have been missed (which is easy to do with a curly coat).
A simple, stainless steel comb like this one from Lilpep should do the trick. This is a double-sided comb, which is ideal because Maltipoos can have coats of slightly different densities and textures, and this can change over time. Having the flexibility to use either side of the comb will help you to tailor your grooming routine to your dog’s needs.
Pet steel Comb Grooming Comb
No products found.Step 5: Finishing touches
Brushing the coat is only part of the process of grooming a Maltipoo. Once you’ve detangled your Maltipoo’s fur, you’ll need to perform all the finishing touches required to keep your pup looking clean and healthy.
Tear staining, for example, is very common in Maltipoos. Grooming sessions are the perfect time to tackle these stains with some gentle eye wipes (these ones are not for use before the age of 6 weeks).
Now is also the best time to give your Maltipoo’s nails a trim, brush their teeth, and clean out their ears if necessary.
Angels’ Eyes Gentle Tear Stain Wipes for Dogs
No products found.Step 6: Treat time!
As we’ve mentioned, Maltipoos can have very anxious and sensitive temperaments. That’s why, once you’ve finished a grooming session, it’s a good idea to provide positive reinforcement.
This could be in the form of a treat, petting, or anything that your dog recognizes as praise. Hopefully, rewarding successful grooming sessions will help your Maltipoo to relax and accept grooming as a safe and positive experience.
Step 7: Repeat twice weekly
You can generally plan ahead to schedule a grooming session for your Maltipoo twice a week.
If your dog enjoys running around and getting messy in the garden or the park, you may need to ramp this up to three times a week.
A quick, daily brushing routine can really help to minimize matting in the long term.
Final Thought
Maltipoos are one of the most adorable looking dog breeds, but they don’t just roll out of bed with perfect fur. Like the rest of us, their coats need constant care. This is why grooming your Maltipoo regualarly is a must.
But Maltipoos aren’t the only doodle breed that needs its fur to be maintained, so do Cavapoos, Bernedoodles, Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. To find out more on how to groom these delightful dogs, check out our step by step guides.
See our post on maltipoo vs shih poo here!
