Although Maltese coat textures varies between dogs, we strive to breed for the long silky coat stated in the AKC standard. To obtain and maintain it is a commitment.
Here are some washing, drying and brushing tips:
Do not bath your maltese unless you have time to brush him/her out as you dry with a hairdryer. Use a pinbrush and metal comb. Don't be thrifty about buying a pin brush, a good quality brush is more expensive but are much easier on the coat. Never brush a dry coat! You can mist a coat with conditioner to brush in between baths. I use "Coat Handler Conditioner" 15 to 1 concentrate, mist through out.
Do not scrub the hair...... squeeze and stroke the shampoo through. I use a conditioning dog shampoo. "No.1 All Systems Whitening" is a good maltese shampoo. I also use a shampoo called "Silky" on my show coats, which can be ordered by the gallon from a company called "Pet Masters Professional Grooming Products" 1-888-448-pets. If your maltese is cut short, a lot of groomers use "Quantum" human shampoo (deep cleaning). This usually can only be found in speciality beauty supply stores or salons.
When washing the face, put shampoo under the eyes (being careful not to get in the eyes) and with a soft toothbrush clean out any debre.
After shampooing throughly, I stand the dog in a dish pan and pour the conditioner over the dog and retrieve it with a cup to keep pouring it through the coat so it will penitrate deep. I really like "No. 1 All Systems Botanical Conditioner". Although a good human conditioner can be used.
When drying, be sure to dry one section at a time, making sure that area is throughly dry before moving to the next spot. Start at either end you are comfortable with and brush while drying in a line from one end to the other. |
