How to Groom a Maltipoo: Haircut Styles & Vet-Verified Tips
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View 2 More +When you have a curly, long-haired little dog, there are so many fun hairstyles you can try out. Whether you are a new Maltipoo parent or you just want to try out a new hairstyle for your pup, you might wonder what the options are.
In this article, we will explain exactly how to groom your dog and give you some adorable options for hairstyles and accessories.
How to Groom a Maltipoo
It is time to get started on grooming! Before you begin the process, make sure to read thoroughly through this article so you are fully prepared!
1. Gather Supplies
Have you already researched or made a list of the supplies you'll need for grooming? You can't start the process without all of your much-needed items.
Here are a few things to consider:
You might need more or less depending on the actual process and how much hair your Maltipoo has already. You also have to think about different hairstyles that require accessories. Do you have all of the cute little extras you want to give your dog?
Now is the time to gather up anything and everything that would make your puppy even more adorable than they already are.
2. Bathe Your Dog
Before you give them a glamorous cut, it's a good idea to remove loose hair and any tangles or debris from the coat. You can give your Maltipoo a bath in the sink, a tub of water, or in your tub. Wash them down well with some delightful shampoo and optional conditioner. Once you're finished with the bath, you can wrap them up in a cozy towel and work on getting them dry.
If you are looking for the perfect, pet-friendly shampoo and conditioner combo, we highly recommend the products by Hepper. With a soothing oatmeal shampoo, free of soaps and other harsh chemicals, and a cucumber and aloe-scented conditioner, your pet's skin and coat will be smooth, hydrated, and irritation-free.
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3. Brush Your Dog
After the bath, you are going to want to brush your Maltipoo to make sure all the hair is smooth and tangle-free before you cut it. You want all the hair to be smooth to ensure an even cut. A great brush to use for this is a slicker brush, as it glides through the hair and helps to remove tangles from the coat.
4. Secure Your Pup
Make sure that you are keeping them completely safe during the process. Some people have harnesses and slings for their dogs to fit into so they can reach all of the necessary parts and keep them still at the same time.
However, you could easily just secure your dog by holding them or having another person help you out. The method will be fully up to you. If your dog is not used to being groomed, they can be quite nervous as well. So anything you can do at this time will certainly help to make your dog feel safe.
5. Trimming the Face and Feet
When trimming your Maltipoo’s face, many groomers prefer scissors or a guarded clipper blade (such as a #10) to keep the hair neat without irritating sensitive skin. Start by carefully trimming around the eyes and mouth to remove any overgrown hair that may obstruct vision or trap food. Use grooming scissors for precision trimming around delicate areas. If you are not comfortable doing it due to the proximity of the eyes and mouth, or you can’t keep your dog still enough, it’s best to leave this part of the grooming to a professional in order to avoid an injury.
For the feet, use a #10 blade to carefully trim the hair between the paw pads and around the toes. This helps prevent matting, improves traction, and keeps dirt from accumulating. Be gentle to avoid cutting too close to the skin.
6. Clipping the Body and Legs
To trim the body, use a #7 or #5 blade, depending on how short you want the coat. A #7 blade gives a close-cut look, while a #5 leaves a bit more fluff. Start at the neck and move toward the tail, following the natural direction of hair growth.
For the legs, a #5 or #4 blade works well to blend them into the body. Some Maltipoo owners prefer to leave the leg hair slightly longer to achieve a teddy bear look. Use scissors for final touch-ups to even out any uneven patches.
7. Keep Treats on Hand
You can help calm some dogs with the right yummy snack! If you are getting ready to groom your Maltipoo, be ready for work with yummy snacks. This can be especially useful for a dog that doesn't really have the process down quite yet. Take your time and make the experience as pleasant and fun as it can be, so your dog builds a positive association with the process.
If they keep getting rewarded, treats can also help redirect their attention briefly while they swallow. But don't be surprised that as soon as you start this, they will just demand more treats the entire time and forget all about the grooming process.
8. Try to Be Quick but Efficient
Sure, you want your dog to look top-notch! That's the entire reason why you're grooming them. A nice haircut makes everybody feel pretty fresh, after all. However, you’ll want to keep the process calm and efficient since some Maltipoos may become restless during grooming.
So, focus on finishing the trim neatly, checking your lines, and keeping the session smooth and stress-free. Don’t rush or drag the process out unnecessarily, especially if you have a particularly rambunctious Maltipoo.
9. Style the Look
You've done all of this hard work getting your Maltipoo to look exactly the way that you envisioned in your mind. After all is said and done, it's time to see the fruits of your labor. Head to toe, you can glamorize them, making them look simply stunning for their next walk. You can add bows to their hair or a nice bow tie around their neck collar. The neighbors will hardly recognize them strutting down the road with a fresh look.
10. Clean Up
Now that all the fun has stopped, it's time for the hard work: cleaning up everything! Put all of the back gear in its place, sweep up all the hair off the floor, and give a pat on the back to any helper you might have had.
Types of Hairstyles for the Maltipoo
If you're running out of ideas or just want to know what your options are, here are some fantastic pictures of awesome Maltese hairdos. This list is not all-inclusive, but these are some of the most popular Maltipoo haircuts.
Puppy Cut
The puppy cut keeps your Maltipoo’s hair short all over, similar to what it looked like when they were a puppy. So, if you want your Maltipoo to maintain their cute puppy appearance, this is the haircut to go with.
Summer Cut
The summer cut for Maltipoos keeps the hair short all over. This is a popular haircut for the warmer months because it can make grooming easier and may feel more comfortable for some dogs in hot weather. It’s also preferable for some people who prefer a low-maintenance style.
Teddy Bear Cut
The teddy bear cut is another shorter style, but longer than the summer cut. The teddy bear cut keeps the coat fluffy and rounded, with a softly shaped face that gives your Maltipoo an adorable teddy bear appearance. This can be a good option for owners who prefer a rounded style while still keeping the grooming manageable.
Lamb Cut
The lamb cut keeps the hair on your Maltipoo’s body short while leaving the legs longer and fluffier, while trimming up their face for a neat appearance. As you can guess by the name, this gives them the appearance of a little lamb, especially if you have a white Maltipoo.
Professional Grooming vs. At-Home Grooming
To eliminate costs associated with grooming or to groom pups that have a hard time being away from home, a lot of people learn to do it themselves. If you have a steady hand and a willingness to learn, just about anyone can learn how to trim their dog's hair with the right tools.
However, there are plenty of groomers waiting around to take the job. Groomers have all of the experience necessary to give your pup a haircut everyone will love. You can choose from groomers that have private businesses, chain store facilities, and some vets’ offices even have groomers that can whip your pup into shape.
It’s a personal choice and doesn't have to be the same each time. You could take your dog to the groomer a couple of times a year but choose to do the rest in the comfort of your own home. There's no wrong answer here, but certainly a lot to consider. Not everyone has a budget that will pay for grooming costs, and that's perfectly understandable.
Plus, some people see that they can do the tasks themselves, and why pay money if you don't have to? Groomers are certainly good at their jobs, and you should support them when and if you can. However, there's certainly nothing wrong with tackling the project yourself. After all, it only helps us to learn new skills.
Conclusion
No matter what hairstyle you choose, you're sure to make your pup spiffy! If you are a beginner, there may be a lot to learn, but once you have the hang of it, it will be a breeze. We hope you found these tips helpful and are on your way to giving your Maltipoo a fresh new look.
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Featured Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock
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Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too – Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature in need. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are dogs and cats.
