Grooming a show coat

[Sami]

I plan I keeping Zoie in a full coat all the time but maybe every once in a while clipping it down. I have been grooming dogs since I was 9 as we had 3 toy poodles and I did all the grooming for them. My main boy prince sported every look along the way and I've always loved grooming. I haven't had ANY problems at all with Zoies coat matting and she behaves perfectly when I groom her!(So happy about that!) But as I have never groomed Maltese I would love ANY tips anybody has! From cutting and shaping to what tools to use. Videos would be wonderful too as I'm not sure which ones show the proper way. So please type away and give me as much advise as possible! Shes 5 months old now btw.

[JiJi's Mom]

If you want your girl in long coat then no trimming at all. Maybe her paws but that's about it.

Mine don't have long coat so I'll let others give you more advise on that.

[Daisy517]

I can't give much advise here either because none of mine are show quality coats. Tessa is sporting a full coat but I've always found yorkie coats to be manageable than a maltese. Daisy was going to have a full coat but her leg surgery had us shave her down back to a puppy cut. She is slowly growing out her coat again.

For my girls I use a generous amount of conditioner and brush them regularly to avoid any mats. A leave in conditioner spray helps and I would invest in good grooming products, such as a brush that won't break the hair. However if you want a show quality coat I'd recommend asking a professional breeder. You can get additional information from past threads in this forum as well by doing a search. It's a good thing you enjoy grooming. Maltese in full coat is quite a task :)

[Lucas Mama]

I think she's gonna look so beautiful! Love full coat on girls! I have a boy and thinking about letting his coat grow just long enough but not in a long long coat!:tongue:

[angeleyes]

My Sammy was well on the way to a full coat and then I trimmed him up. Hated it as soon as I did it so we are growing again and tiny Rosie will probably grow out too. The best thing that several of us have is the small grooming table from Pet Edge, it makes it so much easier to groom.

http://www.petedge.com/product/Master-Equipment-Small-Pet-Grooming-Tables/53184.uts

[Morkie4]

Well since you asked.......:D:D:D

I have four in full coat and one on the way to a full coat. The best suggestion I have is to get good grooming tools, an absolute "must" to care for a full coat. "DAILY BRUSHING" is essential as well to keep a full coat in good condition and without matts. As the others have said, a good conditioner is a must also. Bathing regularly also helps keep the coat healthy and clean. Patience is essentail too when you grow out a coat because there is going to be this "difficult" stage where you think that matts grow from the root out........but trust me this stage will pass and then it will become easier.

As far as cutting, I keep the bottom of the skirt even with the floor using scissors, cut the bottom hair from their paws and the anal area. Not much cutting is necessary when they are in full coat. What helped me the most was to go to a dog show and watch a breeder/handler cut the area around the feed. They start out by parting the hair about a third the way up the leg and holding the parted section up away from the paw, then they trim in a nice circle the hair around the paw. Then they drop another 1/3 of the hair and brush it down and again they trim it just a bit longer than the first hair and finally drop all the hair and cut that portion even with the floor. It's amazing how detailed they get to make for a perfect coat.......sometimes just cutting a few hairs.

Hope this helps! :)

[Olivia]

I'm interested in keeping Olivia's full coat as well. There are a couple Maltese hair styles I'd like to try on her once she matures. I already clipped her eye bangs, which I deeply regret, but that was a couple weeks ago and I notice they're already growing out again.
I'd be interested in following your progress with it.

[jdy]

Well since you asked.......:D:D:D

I have four in full coat and one on the way to a full coat. The best suggestion I have is to get good grooming tools, an absolute "must" to care for a full coat. "DAILY BRUSHING" is essential as well to keep a full coat in good condition and without matts. As the others have said, a good conditioner is a must also. Bathing regularly also helps keep the coat healthy and clean. Patience is essentail too when you grow out a coat because there is going to be this "difficult" stage where you think that matts grow from the root out........but trust me this stage will pass and then it will become easier.

As far as cutting, I keep the bottom of the skirt even with the floor using scissors, cut the bottom hair from their paws and the anal area. Not much cutting is necessary when they are in full coat. What helped me the most was to go to a dog show and watch a breeder/handler cut the area around the feed. They start out by parting the hair about a third the way up the leg and holding the parted section up away from the paw, then they trim in a nice circle the hair around the paw. Then they drop another 1/3 of the hair and brush it down and again they trim it just a bit longer than the first hair and finally drop all the hair and cut that portion even with the floor. It's amazing how detailed they get to make for a perfect coat.......sometimes just cutting a few hairs.

Hope this helps! :)

I am still shocked and jealous at how well you maintain your babies hair!!!
I gave up and now they are in clothes lol. great job carol, they are all beautiful.

[Sami]

My Sammy was well on the way to a full coat and then I trimmed him up. Hated it as soon as I did it so we are growing again and tiny Rosie will probably grow out too. The best thing that several of us have is the small grooming table from Pet Edge, it makes it so much easier to groom.

http://www.petedge.com/product/Master-Equipment-Small-Pet-Grooming-Tables/53184.uts

I actually already have a table!

[Daisy517]

Well since you asked.......:D

As far as cutting, I keep the bottom of the skirt even with the floor using scissors, cut the bottom hair from their paws and the anal area. Not much cutting is necessary when they are in full coat. What helped me the most was to go to a dog show and watch a breeder/handler cut the area around the feed. They start out by parting the hair about a third the way up the leg and holding the parted section up away from the paw, then they trim in a nice circle the hair around the paw. Then they drop another 1/3 of the hair and brush it down and again they trim it just a bit longer than the first hair and finally drop all the hair and cut that portion even with the floor. It's amazing how detailed they get to make for a perfect coat.......sometimes just cutting a few hairs.

Hope this helps! :)

Alright Carol I'm shipping my fluffs directly to you so you can work your magic on both Daisy & Tessa. The girls say I'm more patient with my crafts than I am with their coats. Well!! I never! :mad:

Maybe you can take them for 3 months and send them back with long shimmery shining coats :tongue: :D

[Morkie4]

Alright Carol I'm shipping my fluffs directly to you so you can work your magic on both Daisy & Tessa. The girls say I'm more patient with my crafts than I am with their coats. Well!! I never! :mad:

Maybe you can take them for 3 months and send them back with long shimmery shining coats :tongue: :D

I would be glad to do that for you but I can't promise I would give them back.......sorry!