The best brush for a Maltese isn't one brush. It's a small kit used for a few minutes every day. The AKC standard describes the Maltese coat as single, "that is, without undercoat," long, flat and silky, hanging almost to the ground. Long, fine hair like that tangles easily. The American Maltese Association's advice is simple: the coat "is not difficult to care for if you do a daily once-over with a pin brush or steel-tooth comb" to catch mats as they form. Skip the daily brushing and a groomer may have no choice but to cut the coat very short. Here's the kit, and how to use it.
Quick picks
| Badge | Pick | Why we like it |
|---|---|---|
| Top pick (pin brush) | Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush | Canine Journal's pin brush pick; polished pins, lists Maltese |
| Best comb | Chris Christensen Buttercomb | Fine and coarse teeth with rounded tips, in a face-and-feet size too |
| Best slicker for puppy cuts and feet | Pet Portal Slicker Pro | Retracting pins wipe clean |
| Best for brush-shy puppies | DELOMO Grooming Gloves | A gentle start between real brushings |
Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush
Best for: daily brushing of a long or medium Maltese coat.
A pin brush has individual pins on a cushion, so it moves through long hair without dragging at it. The AMA names it first. Canine Journal's Kimberly Alt picks the Chris Christensen pin brush as her best pin brush and lists the Maltese among the breeds it suits. The brush has 30% more pins than traditional pin brushes, and the stainless steel pins have polished tips to avoid scratching the skin. It comes in three pin lengths.
What we like
- Polished pin tips to avoid scratching the skin (Canine Journal)
- Three pin lengths to match the coat
- Durable, firm cushion (Canine Journal)
Keep in mind
- Canine Journal notes customer complaints of pins falling out over time
- A pin brush alone won't reach every mat: follow with the comb
Key specs: stainless steel pins with polished tips · pin lengths 20 mm, 27 mm, 35 mm (Canine Journal). Our own rule of thumb, not from a source: 27 mm for most pet coats, 35 mm for a full-length coat, 20 mm for a puppy.
Chris Christensen Buttercomb (7.5" fine/coarse)
Best for: checking for mats down to the skin, and the face and feet.
The comb is the tool that tells you the truth. If a steel-tooth comb (the AMA's other daily tool) slides from the skin to the tips everywhere, the coat is mat-free. If it catches, there's a tangle to work out before it tightens. The Buttercomb is half coarse and half fine teeth, with rounded, ground teeth and rounded corners designed to reduce friction and breakage. Use the coarse side on the body and legs, and the fine side on the face. There's a 7.5" full-body comb and a 5" face-and-feet comb.
What we like
- Coarse and fine teeth in one comb
- Rounded teeth to reduce coat breakage
- A small size for around the eyes and feet
Keep in mind
- Check which size you are buying: the range has a 7.5" body comb and a 5" face-and-feet comb
- Never yank through a mat: hold the hair above it and work from the ends
Key specs: stainless steel teeth, 50% coarse / 50% fine · brass spine · 7.5" body and 5" face-and-feet sizes (retailer description)
Pet Portal Slicker Pro
Best for: Maltese in a short puppy cut, and the feet and legs of any Maltese.
A slicker brush has fine, short wire bristles packed close together. Canine Journal recommends slickers for the shorter areas of a coat and pin brushes for the longer areas, and that's the split we'd use on a Maltese. Press the button and the Slicker Pro's bristles retract, so the hair wipes off. Canine Journal's Sadie Cornelius tried it on a 20-pound short-haired dog (she received it for an honest review) and found it easy to clean with a comfortable grip, though the dog was squeamish about the sharp bristles at first.
What we like
- Self-cleaning button
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Good for a short puppy cut
Keep in mind
- Sharp bristles that can bend (Canine Journal). Use the lightest touch so the bristles do not scratch the skin
- Smaller than many people expect
- The AMA names a pin brush and steel comb, not a slicker, for daily care
Key specs: retractable stainless steel bristles · ergonomic handle (Canine Journal)
DELOMO Pet Grooming Gloves
Best for: puppies and nervous dogs learning that grooming feels nice.
Canine Journal rates these silicone grooming gloves as great between grooming sessions and lists the Maltese among the breeds they work well on. You simply pet your dog and loose hair sticks to the glove. They don't replace a pin brush and comb, but they're a gentle way to start a puppy on handling every day.
What we like
- Feels like petting, so easy for a new puppy
- Safe all over the body (Canine Journal)
- Peel the hair off when done
Keep in mind
- Not a substitute for daily brushing and combing
- Canine Journal says owners of long or curly-coated breeds like Golden Retrievers and Poodles did not have much luck with them
Key specs: soft silicone gloves (Canine Journal)
How to choose a brush for a Maltese
Pin brush, slicker brush or comb?
- Pin brush: the main brush for a long or medium coat. Moves through the length without breaking hair.
- Steel comb: the mat-check. Used after brushing, from skin to tip.
- Slicker brush: for short coats and feet. Light pressure only.
- Skip deshedding tools. Canine Journal warns that deshedding tools can damage longer top hairs. A Maltese has no undercoat for them to remove.
Coat-length matrix
Our own guide, based on the AMA's daily-brushing advice and Canine Journal's tool notes.
| Your Maltese | Main tool | Mat check | Extras | How often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-length coat | Pin brush (long pins) | Steel comb, coarse side | Topknot; diluted conditioner spray | Daily |
| Medium "teddy" trim | Pin brush (medium pins) | Steel comb | Conditioner spray | Daily |
| Short puppy cut (about 1") | Slicker, light touch | Steel comb, fine side | — | Daily once-over, a few minutes |
| Puppy coat | Glove, then pin brush | Small comb | Lots of treats | Short daily sessions |
| Face and eyes, any trim | Fine-tooth face comb | — | Topknot or trim over the eyes (AMA) | Daily |
Where to check for mats
Check anywhere hair rubs: behind the ears, under the collar or harness, the armpits, the belly and the back of the legs. If your Maltese wears a harness, check under the straps after every walk.
How to brush a Maltese, step by step
- Mist the coat. The AMA suggests diluting a little coat conditioner in water and lightly spraying as you brush. It cuts static and helps stop the hair breaking.
- Brush in sections. Lift the hair with one hand and brush the layer underneath with the pin brush, working from the skin out. Start at the feet and work up.
- Comb to check. Run the steel comb through each section from the skin. Wherever it catches, stop.
- Work out tangles gently. Hold the hair between the tangle and the skin so you don't pull, then tease the knot from the ends with the coarse end of the comb.
- Do the face last. Use the fine side of the comb. The AMA suggests tying the hair up in a topknot or keeping it trimmed over the eyes.
- Brush out before every bath. The AMA says to brush thoroughly and remove all mats before bathing. After the bath, blow dry while you brush (not too hot), rather than letting the coat air-dry. Our guide to drying a dog after a bath covers the drying side.
Five minutes a day beats an hour on Sunday. Little mats come out with a comb; big ones often need scissors or clippers.
When to call the groomer
If the coat is matted close to the skin, don't try to brush or cut it out at home: it's easy to nick thin skin. A groomer can clip it short and start again, which is what the AMA warns happens when a coat is neglected. If daily brushing isn't realistic for you, a short trim is a kind choice. If you'd like to do trims yourself, see our dog clippers guide.
Maltese brush comparison
| Pick | Type | Best for | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Christensen Oval Pin Brush | Pin brush | Long and medium coats | Daily, all over |
| Chris Christensen Buttercomb | Steel comb | Mat checks, face | Daily, after brushing |
| Pet Portal Slicker Pro | Slicker | Puppy cuts, feet | Light touch only |
| DELOMO Grooming Gloves | Silicone glove | Puppies, between sessions | Daily handling |
FAQs
What kind of brush is best for a Maltese?
A pin brush for the coat and a steel comb to check for mats, used every day. That's the American Maltese Association's advice. Add a slicker only for short trims and feet.
Should I use a slicker brush on a Maltese?
For a short puppy cut or the feet, yes, with a very light touch. For a long coat, the AMA names a pin brush and steel comb. Canine Journal suggests slickers for the shorter areas of a coat and pin brushes for the longer ones.
How often should I brush my Maltese?
Daily. The AMA calls for a daily once-over with a pin brush or steel comb to catch mats while they're small.
Can I use a FURminator on a Maltese?
We wouldn't. Deshedding tools are made to pull out undercoat, and a Maltese doesn't have one. Canine Journal warns they can damage longer top hairs.
How do I get mats out of my Maltese's hair?
Mist the mat with diluted conditioner, hold the hair between the mat and the skin, and tease it apart from the outside with your fingers and the coarse end of a comb. If it's tight against the skin, leave it to a groomer.
A pin brush, a comb and five minutes a day keep a Maltese coat soft, white and mat-free.
