Trimming a Maltese Puppy's Bangs

The Maltese is a highly intelligent, spirited breed with silky long hair. Many Maltese owners shave its long hair short, even down to the skin. Keeping the hair out of the eyes is important for the dog to see. Some owners tie the hair up in a ponytail or ponytails on the forehead; others trim "bangs" or short hairs above the eyes.

  1. History

    • The Maltese is a member of the Westminister and American Kennel clubs "toy breed" class of dogs. The breed has been around for a long time, dating back 28 centuries, according to the AKC. Historically, this breed was a favorite of royalty around the world because of its beauty. They were also thought to have healing abilities if placed on the end of the bed of a sick person. The breed remains popular today as both a show dog and as a companion animal. Routine maintenance of its long, silky white hair is important for the companion animal and critical for show dogs.

    Training

    • Train a Maltese puppy to have its bangs clipped. An uncomfortable puppy is a squirmy puppy, a dangerous thing when scissors are being used around around its eyes. Clip only a small piece of the bangs the first time and reward the puppy with a treat for staying still; make subsequent sessions longer and clip more until the bangs are fully trimmed.

    Styles

    • A short bang style is called a "puppy cut" because Maltese puppies have shorter coats than adults. Depending on the age of the puppy, a long style might be possible. Keep the bangs longer by trimming only the tips. Tie the bangs up out of the puppy's eyes with a scrunchie or a bow.

    Tools

    • Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of detangling conditioner and water and spray the bangs to moisten the hair. Use a conditioner specially formulated for dogs as human conditioners can cause irritation. Many veterinarian approved products are commercially available. Natural formulas use avocado as one of the ingredients. Comb the hair with a slicker brush or metal comb. Trim the bangs with a sharp scissors. Put pads on the sharp ends of the scissors or use blunt nosed scissors to avoid accidental injury.

    Clipping Session

    • Make the puppy sit or lie down. Gather the bang hair and pull it back over the head, away from the eyes. Cut the hair in a straight line across between the ears. Part the hair and pull it down on either side of the face. Trim a line on each side of the face from the eye to the ear.