How to Wash a Maltese Dog

The Maltese is a toy breed, popular as a lap dog due to its small size and gentle nature. First bred on the small Greek island of Malta, the Maltese has a long, flowing white coat that requires frequent grooming. Owning a Maltese is not difficult but the dog should be bathed and groomed once a week to keep the coat in good condition and prevent matting.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog pin brush
  • Dog toenail clippers
  • Dog shampoo and conditioner
  • Towels
  • Blow dryer
  • Coat conditioning spray
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Instructions

    • 1

      Brush the dog gently with a pin brush. Maltese have very long, fine coats prone to breakage if not brushed properly. Pin brushes have numerous rows of soft-tipped pins designed to brush out tangles without breaking the coat. Start at the head and work towards the tail, brushing from the bottom of the hair upwards to work out knots in the undercoat.

    • 2

      Clip the dog's nails. Maltese are relatively laid back and prefer sleeping on the couch to running outside and wearing down their nails. Trim the nails in small increments, taking off a little at a time to keep from cutting the quick.

    • 3

      Place the dog in the bath tub and wet her coat with warm water. Spread a small handful of dog shampoo over her body, massaging to a lather with your hands. Rinse until the water runs clean, then apply a handful of conditioner. Work the conditioner through the coat and into the skin, allowing it to penetrate the coat for five minutes before rinsing.

    • 4

      Dry the dog with a towel to remove as much moisture as possible before blow drying. Turn the dryer onto the lowest heat setting and dry him gently, combing the hair flat as you run the dryer over him. The fine coat of the Maltese will wave and kink if you don't brush it flat while drying him.

    • 5

      Apply a coat conditioner to the dog when he is dry. Coat conditioners are designed to be used after washing and help keep the coat tangle-free and smelling fresh between baths. Spray his entire body, taking care to avoid spraying the conditioner in his eyes.