Are Maltese dogs good for people with allergies?

Low shedding can mean less loose hair carrying allergens around the home, but no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, and reactions vary from person to person. Anyone with a significant allergy should spend time with the breed before committing, ideally with advice from an allergy specialist.

How often should I brush a Maltese?

Daily brushing is the realistic expectation for a Maltese kept at full coat length, since their fine hair mats quickly without it. A shorter, trimmed coat needs less frequent brushing, which is why many pet owners choose that option rather than maintaining show-length hair.

Do Maltese dogs need professional grooming?

It is not strictly required if you keep up with thorough home brushing and bathing, but many owners find a professional groom every four to six weeks makes the coat far easier to manage, particularly for trimming and dealing with any early matting.

Why does my Maltese's coat look thinner than expected?

A single coat without an undercoat naturally looks less dense than a double-coated breed's, which is normal for the breed rather than a sign of a problem. A coat that is genuinely thinning, patchy or accompanied by skin issues is worth mentioning to your vet.

Do Maltese dogs shed?

Maltese dogs shed very little compared with most breeds, thanks to a single coat that grows continuously rather than blowing out seasonally the way a double coat does. That low shedding comes with a trade-off, though: the long, fine coat mats easily without regular grooming, so a Maltese swaps the hair-on-the-sofa problem for a genuine grooming commitment.

Why the shedding is so low

The Maltese has a single-layer coat rather than the double coat many breeds carry, which means there is no dense undercoat to shed out heavily with the seasons. Hair is lost gradually and in small amounts, similar to human hair, rather than in the noticeable seasonal moults owners of double-coated breeds are used to managing.

This is one of the reasons the breed is often recommended to owners who are bothered by hair around the home, though it is worth being clear that low shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic — that is a separate question with a more complicated answer.

The trade-off: matting

A coat that keeps growing rather than shedding out needs regular brushing to stay tangle-free, and a Maltese left ungroomed for even a couple of weeks can develop mats, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the tail. Mats are not just cosmetic — tight matting pulls on the skin and can become genuinely uncomfortable.

Most Maltese owners either commit to daily or near-daily brushing to keep the full coat length, or keep the coat trimmed shorter, which is much easier to manage day to day and is a completely reasonable choice that does not affect the dog's wellbeing.

Keeping the coat in good condition

A slicker brush or a comb designed for long, fine coats works through tangles more effectively and more comfortably than a brush meant for short or double coats, and using the right tool makes daily grooming faster for you and less uncomfortable for your dog.

Regular bathing with a shampoo suited to long coats, followed by thorough drying and brushing, helps prevent the damp, matted undercoat conditions that make tangling worse. Many owners find a professional groom every few weeks, alongside home brushing in between, keeps the coat manageable without becoming a daily chore. Working through the coat in sections, rather than trying to brush the whole dog in one pass, tends to be easier on both of you.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

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Common questions

Are Maltese dogs good for people with allergies?: Low shedding can mean less loose hair carrying allergens around the home, but no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, and reactions vary from person to person. Anyone with a significant allergy should spend time with the breed before committing, ideally with advice from an allergy specialist.
How often should I brush a Maltese?: Daily brushing is the realistic expectation for a Maltese kept at full coat length, since their fine hair mats quickly without it. A shorter, trimmed coat needs less frequent brushing, which is why many pet owners choose that option rather than maintaining show-length hair.
Do Maltese dogs need professional grooming?: It is not strictly required if you keep up with thorough home brushing and bathing, but many owners find a professional groom every four to six weeks makes the coat far easier to manage, particularly for trimming and dealing with any early matting.
Why does my Maltese's coat look thinner than expected?: A single coat without an undercoat naturally looks less dense than a double-coated breed's, which is normal for the breed rather than a sign of a problem. A coat that is genuinely thinning, patchy or accompanied by skin issues is worth mentioning to your vet.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.