9 Best (Professional) Hair Clippers and Blades for Maltese in 2024

Like Yorkies, Shih Tzu and some other small breeds, the Maltese is often pictured with a beautiful coat of long, flowing hair. As you might expect, it takes a lot of work to keep a long coat on a dog looking good – especially a long white coat. Many people who have pet Maltese prefer a short, stylish cut for their dogs. Short cuts are cute and easier to maintain than long coats. They can also help your dog avoid matting.

Many people can learn to groom and cut your Maltese’s coat at home with a little practice. We can show you the best hair clippers and blades for the Maltese. Your dog might prefer to be groomed at home, in familiar surroundings and you may find that you enjoy grooming your dog. Grooming your dog at home instead of going to a professional groomer can also save you money.

Weighing under seven pounds and standing between 7-9 inches tall at the shoulder, the tiny Maltese is known for being gentle, charming, and playful. This member of the Toy groups is sweet and affectionate. They make a wonderful pet. The breed has been known for over 2000 years and is mentioned by ancient Greek and Roman writers. The breed was a status symbol in Roman times.

The coat of the Maltese is pure white. For the show ring, it is long, silky, and flowing. It takes considerable care to keep the coat looking good, including daily brushing. Pet owners often decide that they don’t have time to provide daily coat care. In this case, a short cut can look good on a Maltese. There are some easy, attractive cuts that you can learn to do at home to groom your Maltese.

The Maltese is a single-coated dog so they don’t have an undercoat. They don’t shed as much as many breeds. However, it would be a mistake to say that they are “hypoallergenic.” No dogs are completely hypoallergenic. The breed still produces some skin flakes, dander, and saliva (which can be transferred to their hair). All of these things can trigger allergic reactions in someone who is allergic to dogs. If you are allergic to dogs and looking for a dog that is less likely to trigger a reaction, it’s best to meet individual dogs to see how you react to them in person. A Maltese – and other single-coated breeds – could be a good choice, but you won’t know until you actually spend time with an individual dog.

If you decide to keep your Maltese in a short clip, they usually need a trim about every 4-6 weeks. You can take your Maltese to a professional groomer or you can learn to clip your dog’s coat yourself at home.

The Maltese Coat

The beautiful Maltese coat is always admired. The breed club describes it this way:

Coat and Color:

The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or woolly texture is objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.

Care for the Maltese coat usually includes every aspect of the dog’s life ranging from the dog’s diet to brushing his teeth to how often he is bathed. Obviously, the dog’s nutrition is important to keep his skin and coat looking good. Like some other Toy breeds, the Maltese can have crowded or “primitive” teeth so it’s important to take extra care of his teeth. This includes regular brushing. Most breed experts recommend bathing (and conditioning) the pet Maltese’s coat about every three weeks. If you are keeping the coat in show condition and applying oil and conditioner, you will probably need to give your dog weekly baths.

If you are keeping your Maltese’s coat long, he will need daily brushing with a pinbrush and comb to keep his long locks neatly separated and to prevent mats from forming. It’s important to always mist or slightly dampen your dog’s coat with water before you brush it to prevent breakage. Most people use a spray bottle with distilled water though you can also add a just a tiny amount of conditioner to the water if you like. (Remember that conditioner will attract dirt so if you spray conditioner on your dog’s coat, you will need to bathe your dog more often.) You can use some scissors to carefully trim the ends of your dog’s coat occasionally and keep it looking neat.

If your Maltese has a hair cut such as a Puppy Cut, you still need to brush is coat about once every three days. Brushing stimulates your dog’s skin and removes dead hair, dirt, and debris.

With a short hair cut, your Maltese will probably need to be trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Between these cuts you can trim the hair under your dog’s tail to keep the sanitary area clean.

Many Maltese have issues with tear staining. Other breeds can also have tear stains but they are especially noticeable on the face of a pure white dog. You can buy a solution or powder to get rid of tear stains at a pet store or online. It also helps to wash your dog’s face with warm water daily. There is also an antibiotic that can clear up tear staining in some dogs – ask your veterinarian.

If you are clipping your Maltese’s coat short, there are all kinds of clippers available such as corded and cordless; single-speed and multi-speed. Pet trimmers can be a good choice to use in sensitive areas and around the face. There are also lots of different blades so you can choose how long or short to cut your dog’s coat.

Most people need a good set of professional quality clippers, several different blades in different sizes, a pair of thinning shears (scissors), and a good brush and comb to groom their Maltese. We can show you the best hair clippers and blades for Maltese, along with some popular and easy styles for the breed.

Top Maltese Clips and Cuts

Paws are sensitive to touch.

Since the Maltese has a single layer of coat and it naturally grows long, this means that you have a lot of options when it comes to styles for your dog. Cutting your dog’s coat won’t affect its future growth as it might with some breeds. It will just grow out and grow long again. You can also shave the coat close the skin without worrying too much about problems for your Maltese. All of this means that the sky is pretty much the limit when it comes to choosing a cut for your dog.

Here are some of the most popular cuts for Maltese.

As with most Toy dogs, the Maltese looks very cute in a “puppy cut.” This is an all-over cut that is fairly short. The hair around the face is kept a little longer and shaped as you like it. You can choose how short or long you want to leave the coat with a puppy cut. The length of coat after the cut usually ranges from about 1/3 of an inch to several inches. If you leave the coat several inches long it gives a moderately fluffed appearance. You can trim around your dog’s face and head or put the longer hair up in a cute top knot with a bow.

There are many variations on the puppy cut so you can decide how long or short you would like to keep the hair on the head and ears. Different lengths can giver your Maltese a very different look even though the body has the same cut.

The way you trim the hair around your Maltese’s face can make a big difference in his look, too. He can have bangs, wear a top knot, keep a beard, or wear a rounded style.

The “teddy bear” style is also very popular for the Maltese. With this cut the hair on your dog’s body is cut to leave about ½ inch in length. The hair around the face is shaped to give a round “teddy bear” look.

A long “girly” cut is similar to a teddy bear cut but the hair on your dog’s body is left a little longer – at least one inch in length. The hair on the face is also shaped to be round, similar to the teddy bear look. However, some hair on top of your dog’s head are left long to give a “pony tail” look. You can pull this hair up in a top knot, if you like.

The “lion cut ” can also be modified to look cute on a Maltese. This cut, which is usually seen on a Poodle, has a body cut which is moderately long. The hair on the head is cut into a rounded shape, trimmed and thinned so it will be a little puffy. The tail is trimmed a little and left fluffy toward the end so it resembles a lion’s tufted tail.

You can also shave your Maltese’s coat very short. A #7 blade will usually work for most Maltese, though you can shave the coat and leave it longer or shorter, depending on what you and your dog prefer. When you shave your dog, you will usually leave longer hair on the head and ears. Many people also leave some longer coat on the legs. Remember that if you shave your Maltese he may get cold and need a sweater, especially in cooler weather. The benefits of shaving your Maltese’s coat are that it is very low maintenance. You won’t have to brush it very often and it won’t get tangles.

You should be able to do these clips at home with a good set of clippers. Some styles will look better if you use some thinning scissors to blend the hair, especially around the head and face. Anyone can learn to use thinning scissors but it does take some practice. It’s easy to accidentally take a chunk of hair out of your dog’s coat, for example.

In general, the more teeth a pair of thinning scissors has, the more hair they will remove with one little cut but there are exceptions. Some thinning scissors have teeth on both blades; some only have teeth on one side. Some are made for blending while others are made to remove large amounts of hair at one time.

If you are buying thinning scissors, read the descriptions carefully. Be careful about using them on your Maltese until you get the hang of them. We suggest that you don’t buy super expensive thinning scissors while you are learning to use them. (There are some thinners that cost a fortune.) Learn with some nice, moderately-priced thinning shears. You can buy some really good ones later, after you are good with them. Like clipper blades, thinning shears can be sharpened if they start to get dull so don’t toss them away if they lose their edge.

For your dog’s first hair cut you may want to take him to a professional groomer. See if you can watch the groomer groom your dog. Even if you can’t watch, your dog should have a good basic cut so you will have an outline when you start using your own clippers.

If you got your dog from a breeder, don’t be afraid to ask for some grooming tips. Most breeders are happy to give grooming advice. You can also visit a dog show or a trade show for grooming tools such as clippers to see how professionals use clippers on dogs. There are even grooming competitions that are fun to watch. You can learn a lot from watching these experts work.

Different Types of Maltese Clippers

There are four basic kinds of clippers for grooming your Maltese.

• Corded clippers. Corded clippers are used by professionals and people that show dogs. They have an electrical cord. They are good for people that groom a lot of dogs and need a sturdy clipper.
• Cordless clippers. Cordless clippers are popular with some professional groomers and with some people that groom at home. They are usually lightweight and easy to hold so there is less hand fatigue. They usually run on batteries that can last up to two hours.
• Corded/Cordless clippers. These clippers can operate with or without a cord. Use them with a cord while the battery is charging. You can use them cordless when the battery is charged. There are only a few clippers that are corded/cordless.
• Pet trimmers. Trimmers can be a good choice if you need something to trim around your dog’s paws, face, and tail. They are less expensive than clippers but they are also less powerful.

Key Components of a Top-Rated Set of Clippers for Maltese

You will need good quality clippers to groom your Maltese. People who purchase cheap clippers usually have to go back and buy some good clippers when the cheap ones don’t do the job. Plus, you won’t get good results when you groom your Maltese with poor quality clippers.

Here are some things we look for in a top-rated set of clippers for Maltese:

• Don’t buy cheap clippers. You will save money in the long-run if you buy good clippers from the start even if they cost a little more. Expect to spend about $100 (plus or minus) for good clippers.
• Good clippers are powerful but they should be relatively quiet with low vibration.
• Good clippers should cut your Maltese’s coat easily. If your clippers start having problems cutting it could be time to have your blade sharpened. Keeping your clippers clean and brushing out the fine hairs after using them will also keep them working better.
• We recommend clippers that have a minimum of 3500 strokes per minutes (SPM) so they will be able to work on all coats.
• Top-rated clippers should not heat up quickly. All clippers will get warm when you use them after a while but good clippers should not get hot after five minutes.
• Top quality clippers should be comfortable in your hand. Some clippers today have an ergonomic design so they reduce hand fatigue.
• You can use cordless clippers on your Maltese but keep in mind that these clippers usually need to be recharged in 60-120 minutes, depending on the model. It can take longer than this to finish some cuts, depending on how cooperative your dog is. If you groom your dog in several short sessions this won’t be a problem but if you like to groom your dog at one time you might do better with a corded clipper.
• Top-rated clippers should be durable. Consider your clippers to be an investment. If you take care of them they should last for years. Good companies such as Andis and Oster have parts available if you need to have a repair made or replace a part.

Picking the Perfect Maltese Clipper Blade Size

Most professional clippers have detachable blades. Clippers usually come with a standard #10 blade which is good for grooming many different breeds. You can easily remove or “detach” the blade from the clippers and replace it with any other blade that you purchase. Blades come in all sizes so you can cut your dog’s hair as short as you want – or keep it longer. The higher the blade number, such as #30, the shorter the hair will be when you cut it. The lower the number, such as #3, the longer the hair.

Some clippers also come with snap-on or magnetic combs which fit over the clipper blade. These combs let you trim a long coat without cutting it too short. If your clipper doesn’t come with combs, you can purchase them separately. They are not very expensive. Be sure the snap-on or magnetic combs you buy will work with your particular clipper.

Here are some recommended blades for a couple of popular Maltese cuts:

Maltese

• Matted Coat – #7F
• Puppy Trim – #30 with 1″ Comb
• Short Trim – #4
• Head – #4F, #3F, #30 with ¾” or 1″ Comb
• Face & Tail – Scissors

If you’re going to buy extra blades to go with your new clippers, these would be blade sizes to consider.

If you’re wondering how much hair each blade will leave after the cut, here is a list of blades:

Blades

“F” is for a “finishing” or fine blade which is for a smooth, blended cut. Some blades also come in a skip tooth version which is a good choice for getting through a matted coat (the #3, #4, #5, and #7). Many groomers will start on a dog’s coat using a skip tooth blade to remove more coat and then gradually finish it or make it look smoother with a finer blade.

There are all kinds of blades made of different materials, for different purposes but most good blades will be suitable for grooming your dog at home. Andis and Oster both make excellent blades. They can be used interchangeably in most clippers, regardless of the manufacturer.

Overall Best Maltese Clippers in 2024

*Our recommendations are intended for people who groom their Maltese at home.*

Our 2024 Picks: Best Hair Clippers and Blades for Maltese
	Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Black Detachable blades and removable drive cap make cleaning easy Includes a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can easy move around. Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A6 Slim 3-Speed Pet Clipper, Purple These clippers have extremely low vibration and noise The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed clipper is ergonomically designed Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Blade Pet Clipper Kit The Pro features a 3700 spm blade speed and blade detachability Designed with a powerful rotary motor so it performs for dogs with heavy, thick coats Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster A5 Turbo 2-Speed Pet Clipper, Dark Blue Goes through thick coat easily, including mats Detachable blade system is very versatile Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit Lightweight and cordless 5500 strokes per minute and 80 minutes of battery run-time Price:  $$	CHECK PRICE
	Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clipper, Purple 2 speeds, up to 4,200 SPM Lightweight, ergonomic design Price:  $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Dog & Cat Clipper Kit Durable, lightweight, quiet Low vibration and no maintenance Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper Lightweight with superior comfort Ergonomic design makes them easy to hold and use Price: $$$	CHECK PRICE
	Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Indigo Blue 5 speeds, up to 4,500 strokes per minute Comes with a size 10 Ceramic Edge detachable blade and a tube of blade oil Price: $$$$	CHECK PRICE

Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Black

Key Benefits

• Detachable blades and removable drive cap make cleaning easy and the locking blade hinge keeps it secure.
• The 2-speed sealed rotary motor runs cool and has plenty of power to handle a Maltese coat.
• Includes a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can easy move around.
• Works with all UltraEdge, CeramicEdge and ShowEdge blades—plus, it’s also compatible with Oster A-5 blades.

Overall Best Maltese Clippers – Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper is a great choice for Maltese. This is our go-to set of clippers for many breeds because they are reliable and they have enough power to handle most coats. With two speeds you can choose how much power to use. It stays cool even when you’re clipping a lot of coat. It also has a 14-foot heavy-duty cord so you can move around easily. This clipper is durable and perfect for anyone learning to groom. It’s also a good choice for people who have been grooming for years. Comes with the clippers, #10 UltraEdge blade, and clipper oil.

Some people like the Andis UltraEdge AGC Super 2-Speed (slightly more powerful) but we prefer the Andis ProClip AGC2 2-Speed. They are both good clippers.

Pros

• 2 speeds
• Durable
• Maintenance-free

Cons

• Andis makes a more powerful clipper in a similar style
• Some people like cordless clippers better
• Heavier than some other clippers
• The blade can get hot after a while but this is true of most clippers

Oster A6 Slim 3-speed Pet Clipper, Purple

Key Benefits

• These clippers have extremely low vibration and noise. Great for dogs that are nervous around clippers and more pleasant for you.
• The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed clipper is ergonomically designed, efficient, precision-tuned, and it has a heavy-duty motor that runs at over 4,000 strokes per minute.
• Zinc Alloy technology combines a lightweight ergonomic feel with heavy-duty, long-lasting durability.
• Angled eccentric drive system and precision calibrated motor are designed for an ultra-smooth, efficient cutting performance
• 3 Speed Settings: 4400SPM / 3600 SPM / 3100 SPM

Runner Up Best Maltese Clippers – The Oster A6 Slim 3-speed Pet Clipper is very comfortable to use. It has an ergonomic design and it’s very lightweight so it reduces hand fatigue. If you spend a lot of time cutting your Maltese’s coat or you groom multiple dogs, these may be the most comfortable clippers you can buy. They also have less vibration and noise than most clippers. People report that these clippers stay very cool. And, with three speeds, you can control how much power to use. Many professional groomers love these clippers. Comes with a #10 CryogenX Blade. This is a corded clipper.

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Ergonomically designed and comfortable to use
• Lower vibration and noise
• 3 speeds

Cons

• This is not a cordless clipper
• There are clippers that weigh less if you want an even lighter clipper

Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Blade Pet Clipper Kit

Key Benefits

• The Pro features a 3700 spm blade speed and blade detachability. Includes a #10 blade.
• The quiet and powerful unit works with all UltraEdge, CeramicEdge, and ShowEdge blades (sold separately).
• Designed and manufactured for years of reliable use and features a break resistant housing that’s ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand. It also has a 12′ heavy-duty cord.
• Designed with a powerful rotary motor so it performs for dogs with heavy, thick coats.
• Blades are also compatible with Oster Model A-5 and most detachable-type clippers.

Most Affordable Maltese Clippers – The Andis Pro-Animal 7-Piece Detachable Blade Pet Clipper Kit is a one-speed clipper with a rotary motor that is powerful enough to clip your Maltese’s coat. It’s also reasonably quiet. This is a single speed motor. It is durable and comes in break-resistant housing that is contoured to fit your hand. It has a detachable head so you can change blades. The kit comes with four attachment combs, a tube of blade oil, and a hard case for your clippers.

Pros

• Less expensive than most good quality clippers
• Includes attachment combs and case
• Durable and break-resistant

Cons

• Single speed motor
• Not as powerful as many clippers today

6 More Top-Rated Dog Hair Clippers for Maltese

Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper, Dark Blue

Key Benefits

• The Oster Turbo A5 2-speed heavy-duty clipper is powerful, quiet, and reliable.
• This clipper is practically unbreakable. It’s durable and resilient even if you drop it.
• Goes through thick coat easily, including mats.
• Detachable blade system is very versatile.
• Turbo-powered for higher strokes per minute at two speeds: 3000 SPM Low, 4000 SPM High
• Compatible with all Oster A5 detachable blades (as well as other detachable blade clippers) and includes a #10 CryogenX Detachable blade.

The Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper is quick and powerful. It’s a workhorse. It’s perfect for anyone doing a lot of clipping. Many professional dog groomers and veterinarians use this clipper. It has two speeds so you can decide how much power you need. Compatible with all of Oster’s detachable blades (as well as other detachable blades). Comes with a #10 Cryogen X detachable blade.

Pros

• Faster and more powerful than similar Oster clippers
• Has two speeds
• Quiet, durable, and reliable
• Great for heavy duty clipping, including cutting mats

Cons

• This is a powerful clipper and it could be more than some owners need
• Some people might prefer a cordless clipper – but it’s hard to find cordless clippers that can do a good job with mats.

Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit

Key Benefits

• Lightweight and cordless.
• 5500 strokes per minute and 80 minutes of battery run-time.
• Perfect for clipping paws, face, and finishing work.
• Glides through the coat quickly and efficiently.
• Adjustable 5 blades that adjust from #9 to #40 and are detachable.
• Professional Cordless 5-in-1 Clipper Kit with 2 NiMH batteries.

*Note: For some reason, Chewy.com has these clippers listed for different prices depending on their color. The same clipper, in champagne/black, is also listed as a horse clipper on the site. We have no idea why. Choose accordingly. We like the clippers but if you like them, check the prices before you order.

Quiet and lightweight, the Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit is an excellent clipper for trimming your Maltese’s paws and face. Use these cordless clippers anywhere. These clippers run for up to 80 minutes before you need to recharge. Comes with two NiMH battery packs, the clippers, a storage case, a charging base with an indicator light, four snap-on attachment guide combs, a cleaning brush, and blade oil. You can see how these clippers work using attachment guide combs.

We looked at nearly all of Wahl’s clippers and many of them are best for use on the face, paws, and for finishing work. These clippers should be suitable for use on a dog with a medium coat, such as a Maltese.

Pros

• Cordless, lightweight, quiet
• Comes with two rechargeable battery packs
• Includes four snap-on attachment guide combs
• Good for trimming around your dog’s face, paws, and for doing finishing work

Cons

• Not a good choice for dogs with heavier coats unless the heavy coat has been trimmed first
• Only runs for 80 minutes before it has to be recharged
• They do get hot after a while

Oster Power Max 2-speed Pet Clipper, Purple

Key Benefits

• Two powerful speeds provide precision and control to handle any trim, cut, or ambitious pup-do.
• Lightweight and ergonomic design with rubberized stay-cool grip for enhanced maneuverability and comfort.
• Detachable blade system for quick, easy changing and ultra-quiet motor to help make grooming less stressful for your pup.
• Pro-inspired grooming solution is perfect for dogs of all sizes, breeds, and coat types.
• Includes clipper with antibacterial-coated CryogenX blade, blade guard, blade oil, grease, cleaning brush, two extra drive tips and instructions.

The Oster Power Max 2-Speed Pet Clipper is powerful enough to handle your Maltese’s coat. It also has a lightweight, ergonomic design for precision and comfort. It lets you groom swiftly. The handle has a rubberized grip that stays cool. Comes with a complete accessory kit and CryogenX blade with antibacterial coating for the smoothest, cleanest cuts. The ultra-quiet motor also keeps things stress-free for your dog.

Pros

• 2 speeds, up to 4,200 SPM
• Lightweight, ergonomic design
• Quiet motor
• Comes with accessory kit and CryogenX blade

Cons

• The 12-foot cord is not quite as long as cords on some other clippers

Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Dog & Cat Clipper Kit

Key Benefits

• Provides 90 minutes of full speed run time with a quick charge of 60 minutes; can be used with a cord while charging. Runs at full speed right up until the charge runs out.
• Versatile 5-in-1 blade technology adjusts the blade to sizes #9, #10, #15, #30 and #40.
• The lithium ion battery has no memory effect so it charges new every time.
• Durable, lightweight, and quiet; runs with low vibration and no maintenance.
• Professional quality powers up to 5,500 SPM and works on dogs, cats, horses, livestock and more.

This Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless Clipper uses a lithium ion battery that runs for 90 minutes before it needs to be recharged. It recharges quickly in just 60 minutes. The clippers also come with a cord so you can use them while the battery is recharging. These clippers are durable, quiet, and lightweight. Like other Wahl clippers, they have a 5-in-1 adjustable blade that you can set to the length you prefer to use on your Maltese.

Pros

• Cordless, runs for 90 minutes and recharges in 60 minutes
• Durable, lightweight, quiet
• Low vibration and no maintenance
• 5-in-1 adjustable blade
• Comes with Professional Lithium Ion Cord/Cordless Animal Clipper, 5 in 1 Detachable Blade Set, (6) Attachment Guide Combs, Charge Stand & Charger, Soft Storage Case, Cleaning Brush, Blade Oil, and Instruction Book.

Cons

• The 5-in-1 adjustable blade doesn’t allow you to use detachable clipper blades as you can with Andis and Oster clippers. When buying blades for these clippers, make sure you purchase adjustable blades so they will work with these clippers.

Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper

Key Benefits

• Revolutionary performance with an extended motor life is ideal for all animal coats including dogs, cats, horses and livestock.
• Great for all-over grooming, including mats and complete shave downs.
• Designed for utmost dependability, balance and control, vibration and comfort to reduce wrist fatigue.
• Maximum power and torque; the Constant Speed Control automatically delivers more power when needed.
• Blades stay secure and are easy to detach; comes with a #10 Ultimate Competition Series blade set for better clipping performance.

Suitable for all coat types, the Wahl KM10 Brushless 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper is a professional, German-engineered clipper. It provides revolutionary performance and an extended motor life that lasts up to 10,000 hours. It offers maximum power and torque with constant speed control, delivering ore power when clipping through mats and thick coats. To reduce wrist fatigue it’s designed with superior comfort and control, featuring a correctly balanced, low vibration and lightweight ergonomic design.

Pros

• Lightweight with superior comfort
• Ergonomic design makes them easy to hold and use
• Powerful enough to groom any dog’s coat
• Durable with 2 speeds
• Includes #10 Ultimate Competition Series detachable blade set for better clipping performance.

Cons

• Expensive

Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clipper, Indigo Blue

Key Benefits

• All-purpose animal grooming clip with the power pros demand available in 5 popular colors allowing personalization and preventing confusion in busy shops.
• Lightweight, 5 speed rotary motor with up to 4,500 spm provides more control which is perfect for a variety of coats and breeds.
• CeramicEdge blade stays up to 75% cooler than steel and provides increased durability with a long lasting edge. It’s detachable for easy cleaning and greater styling versatility.
• New anti-slip soft grip housing is contoured to fit your hand, designed for comfort and confident handling.
• 10% faster than the AGC Super 2-Speed and it’s made in the USA!

If you’re looking for super clippers for your Maltese, Andis Excel 5-Speed Detachable Blade Pet Clippers might fit the bill. Popular with professional groomers, these clippers have a powerful rotary motor that has up to 4,500 SPM so it can easily handle the coat of a Maltese. You can use slower speeds to keep it cool and clip sensitive areas. Use higher speeds for thicker parts of the coat. More expensive than most clippers but this is a top-of-the-line professional clipper.

Pros

• 5 speeds, up to 4,500 strokes per minute
• Comes with a size 10 Ceramic Edge detachable blade and a tube of blade oil
• The new anti-slip soft grip housing is contoured to fit your hand for greater comfort
• 10 percent faster than the Andis AGC Super 2-Speed clipper

Cons

• Expensive
• You may not need a clipper this advanced to groom your Maltese at home
• Reported to heat up if you use the higher speeds for a long time

Our 10 Step Maltese Grooming Guide

We can offer you some general tips on grooming your Maltese.

1. Gather all of your grooming materials in one place before you begin. Otherwise you usually have to search for your dog when you return.
2. With a small dog such as a Maltese you can usually bathe them comfortably in your kitchen sink. Bathe and dry your dog before you clip his coat. Clipping any dog is easier if his coat is clean. Make sure his coat is completely dry.
3. Brush your dog’s coat well before you start clipping. A pin brush or slicker brush usually does a good job if there are no mats. If your dog has any mats you can try to work them loose or gently ease them away from your dog’s skin with a comb.
4. Your dog should stand still or sit while you are using the clippers on him so he won’t be accidentally cut. We suggest using a grooming table when you are grooming and clipping your dog, especially if you will be grooming your dog at home often.
5. It’s a good idea to let your dog play and exercise before you start grooming. This will help take the edge off his energy level so he’s calmer while you are using the clippers near him.
6. Ideally your Maltese will be used to the clippers from the time he’s a puppy so he won’t be afraid of them. If he hasn’t seen them before, let him get used to them. Let them run so he can get used to the noise. Give him some treats when you turn them on. Keep plenty of treats and cookies with you while you trim your dog. Make your first time trimming your dog with the clippers a short session and reward him so it’s a pleasant experience.
7. Most Maltese owners trim the area under their dog’s tail (the “sanitary” area), along with their paw pads. You can also trim a little hair under your dog’s arm pits to help avoid mats there. These are all sensitive areas so use caution.
8. You can follow the outline for the cut you have in mind. There are online sites and books that give advice on how to do specific cuts. You can also find Youtube videos for specific cuts. Check your clipper blade often to make sure it’s not hot. You can switch out the blade with another one or use a coolant spray to help it cool off.
9. Don’t worry if your first attempts at clipping your Maltese aren’t perfect. It takes a little practice to learn to clip your dog. You’ll learn quickly. Your dog doesn’t care if his hair cut isn’t perfect. He only cares that you love him.
10. If you or your dog start to become upset during a grooming session, take a time out. People and dogs can get frustrated. It happens. Your relationship with your dog is more important than getting the hair cut right.

FAQ

• Can you use all clippers on all Maltese? Most professional clippers should work well on all Maltese. We recommend that clippers have a minimum of 3500 strokes per minutes (SPM) so they are powerful to work smoothly. Some pet quality clippers and trimmers may not work well on your dog if he hasn’t been trimmed in a while.
• Can you use pet trimmers on a Maltese? Pet trimmers are generally intended to be used on a dog’s face, paws, and in sensitive areas such as under the tail. You can use them on your Maltese in these areas. If you try to use them on your dog’s body coat, they may not work very well.
• What should you do if your Maltese’s coat is matted? If your Maltese’s coat is matted you should try to gently work the mats loose with a comb without hurting your dog. If this doesn’t work, try to work the mats away from the skin so there is some space between the mat and the skin. You can then slip the clippers under the mat. A #3 or #7 blade is usually recommended for removing the mat. Then try to blend this area of the coat in with the rest of your dog’s fur. If all else fails, if the Maltese is extremely matted, you can shave the coat fairly close to the skin. Check with your veterinarian if the dog has any skin damage.

Conclusion

Sweet, gentle, and playful, Maltese are one of the most lovable of all dogs. They are also one of the most beautiful of all dogs, especially when they are in full coat. But not everyone has the time to cope with a long, silky coat every day. Luckily, the Maltese also looks cute in a short, fun hair cut. With a little practice you should be able to groom your Maltese at home and keep him looking terrific.