Shedding can be a burden for many dog owners. Dog hair is not only everywhere on the floor, the couch, or even in the bed, it can even trigger allergies. It is therefore no wonder that the question of whether a dog breed sheds a lot is one of the most common questions before deciding on a dog breed. Therefore, we would like to answer whether Maltese dogs shed a lot.
Maltese belongs to the dog breeds that shed the least. This is due to their special coat, which is actually more like human hair. Maltese also do not have an undercoat, which leads to a lot of hair in many breeds. Overall, Maltese dogs are usually recommended for dog allergy sufferers as well. However, you will need to allow plenty of time for Maltese grooming.
So if you are looking for a dog that has little to no shedding, you are in good hands with the Maltese. However, this does not come for free. The price is that the coat in Maltese requires fairly a lot of grooming.
There is much more to know about hair and coat care in Maltese. In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about Maltese and shedding.
We go into detail about Maltese shedding and explain if this makes Maltese hypoallergenic. We also reveal whether the coat of Maltese stinks, how you can best groom the coat and how much grooming the coat needs in Maltese.
Do Maltese Shed?
Maltese is a great breed of dog, which is also very suitable for allergy sufferers. The beautiful white coat of Maltese has some peculiarities, which ensure that they almost do not shed.
Firstly, there is the fact that Maltese has no undercoat. The undercoat in many dog breeds is like a second coat that they wear under their top coat. This is also called a double coat.
Maltese have only a single coat. This makes them more susceptible to cold temperatures, but also ensures that they do not shed as much. They simply do not have a coat change between seasons.
Another issue is the texture of the coat. In Maltese, the coat is more reminiscent of human hair than dog fur. So actually Maltese have hair.
This hair does not fall out regularly, as it does in many other dog breeds, but it just keeps growing. This has advantages and disadvantages for you as a dog owner.
The big advantage is that you will find less dog hair on your floor, couch, or bed. There is simply less hair falling out that could get all over the place.
However, the Maltese coat requires more maintenance than most other dog breeds. You will need to brush the coat daily and bathe your Maltese regularly. The coat also needs to be trimmed regularly, after 2-3 months at the latest.
You can do this yourself with a little training. But especially in the beginning, it is recommended to take your Maltese to the groomer regularly.
Watch carefully how the groomer cuts your Maltese’s hair. if you are talented, after 2 or 3 sessions you may even try to give your Maltese a new hairstyle yourself.
So you see, the advantages of not shedding your Maltese hair come with some disadvantages. But once you learn to love this breed of dog, the disadvantages are not so bad.
Are Maltese Hypoallergenic?
Maltese are one of the most hypoallergenic dog breeds around. Due to their special coat without an undercoat, they are very suitable for allergy sufferers.
I even know dog allergy sufferers who have no problems at all with their Maltese. Nevertheless, it is important to get more information before buying a Maltese. Allergies can be pronounced differently in different people.
You should think about doing an allergy test before deciding to get a Maltese. Talk to a dermatologist or allergist about your plans to get a Maltese.
You may also have a friend who already has a Maltese. Ask if the friend would like to come to your home for a few hours with the Maltese. Or spend a few hours with this friend and his Maltese.
This way you can find out if you have any allergic reactions to Maltese. But in general, Maltese dogs are very well tolerated by people with allergies.
If you want to know more about Maltese and allergies, we have written an article about whether Maltese are hypoallergenic. In that article, we also cover the question of whether Maltese themselves can have allergies.
Does the Maltese coat need a lot of grooming?
With all the advantages and positive qualities that Maltese have, there are of course negative sides. one of the negative sides of Maltese is the great need for grooming.
The grooming of Maltese dogs requires much more effort than other breeds. There are several activities that should be performed at different intervals.
You should brush, bathe and groom your Maltese. However, you do not have to perform all of these activities on a daily basis. We explain below which grooming activities you should do and at what intervals.
You should take the care of your Maltese seriously. If the coat is not brushed regularly, it can quickly become matted and unsightly. This will not only look messy, but it can also harm your Maltese.
So regular coat care is a very important point with Maltese. You should be aware of this before you choose this breed.
Do Maltese Stink?
It’s no wonder there’s a saying that someone stinks like a wet dog. Most dogs have a more or less strong smell, which can be intensified by moisture and dirt.
But even in this respect, the Maltese is a pleasant exception. Maltese usually do not smell very strong.
There are several reasons for this. Maltese do not have oily skin, which already reduces the formation of odors. In addition, Maltese do not like to play in the dirt as much as other dog breeds.
Of course, Maltese still need a lot of grooming. An ungroomed coat will also lead to odor in the Maltese.
But there are also health reasons that can lead to a stronger smell in Maltese. Especially problems with the teeth or with the anal glands can lead to increased odor. Also, yeast infections can be a cause.
So, if you notice a stronger smell in your Maltese, you should think about a visit to the vet. It could be a health problem.
How Often Do I Need to Groom My Maltese?
We have already mentioned above the most crucial grooming procedures that your Maltese needs on a regular basis. These are brushing, bathing and grooming.
You should do these three items regularly, but with varying frequencies. The following list shows the time periods when you should perform these grooming procedures:
- Brushing: Daily
- Bathing: Every 1-2 weeks
- Hairdressing: Every 2 months
When bathing, it is important that you use a good shampoo* that is specifically for dogs with white coats. On the one hand, you can use it to preserve the beautiful coat color, and on the other hand, these special shampoos are also designed to be especially mild to the Maltese coat.
How Do I Groom My Maltese?
In Maltese grooming, there are daily and weekly tasks.
Daily tasks include removing any entangled leaves and sticks from the coat. It is best to groom your Maltese before you even go inside. This will help you avoid bringing unnecessary dirt into the house.
While you’re at it, check your Maltese for ticks as well, especially during the warmer months. Remove them if you discover any. We bought this tick remover set* for this purpose, which works really well.
Afterward, you should brush and comb your Maltese thoroughly. Start at the tail end and work your way up to the head. However, do not forget any spots. Otherwise, the Maltese’s coat can quickly become matted.
Try brushing any knots out of the coat first. For this purpose, it is best to use a comb made of stainless steel*. We can highly recommend this comb, it removes the knots in the hair at our Maltese excellent.
After that, it goes to combing the coat. Use a fine comb* for this. Do not avoid models made of plastic, we have not had good experiences with them.
Besides that, you should bathe your Maltese weekly. In case of an emergency, it is enough to bathe him every 2 weeks. But weekly bathing should be the norm.
There are a few things to keep in mind when bathing Maltese. We have written in this article a detailed guide to bathing Maltese. Feel free to look at the instructions in it.
Besides that, it is also important to give your Maltese a fresh haircut on a regular basis. It is best to go to a professional dog groomer to have your Maltese’s hair done, at least in the beginning.
Once you’ve seen how it’s done a few times, you can also try it yourself. However, it takes a bit of experience to give a Maltese a nice haircut.
Conclusion
Maltese have a special coat. They have no undercoat, so they have only a simple coat. Their hair also does not fall out seasonally, but just keeps growing.
This ensures that Maltese do not tend to shed. Maltese even belong to the dog breeds that shed the least.
These characteristics also ensure that Maltese are very suitable for allergy sufferers. And they prevent Maltese from smelling strong.
But all this comes at the price that Maltese need a lot of grooming. Besides daily brushing, you should bathe your Maltese every week if possible. And you should also schedule a visit to the groomer every 2 months.
This way your Maltese’s coat will stay healthy and beautiful.