Dog Groomer Berlin: Proper grooming for Maltese and Bichon

A Maltese or Bichon Frisé needs an appointment at the dog groomer every 6 to 8 weeks because both breeds have continuously growing coats. Here at GroomRoom in Berlin-Charlottenburg, a full groom costs 89 to 125 € for a Maltese and 105 to 135 € for a Bichon. Both breeds have white coats that mat easily and are prone to facial staining. Our Head Stylist Nathalie specialises in Bichons and poodles and cuts both breeds with scissors.

Maltese and Bichon have completely different coats

The Maltese has a single coat with no undercoat, meaning it lacks the soft, warming layer right next to the skin. Their hair is straight and silky, growing continuously without a fixed final length. If left uncut, it reaches the floor on adult dogs. Because they hardly shed, very little ends up on your sofa, but every loose hair stays trapped in the coat.

The Bichon Frisé has soft, curly hair over a fine undercoat. The curls give the coat volume, which is why it can be scissored into the typical round head shape. At the same time, the curls trap dead hair, which tangles with the new growth. For the Bichon, knots often form invisibly beneath a seemingly smooth surface.

For Maltese grooming, this means one thing above all: the coat must be combed right down to the skin regularly. For the Bichon, the coat also needs to be blow-dried completely after a bath. Curls left damp will shrink and mat within a few days.

Which cuts suit the Maltese and Bichon?

If you want to get your Maltese groomed, you can choose between a long or short style. Most owners in Berlin opt for a practical everyday length between 2 and 5 centimetres.

For a puppy cut, we trim the coat evenly all over the body and scissor the face round. The Teddy-Cut leaves a bit more length, making it look softer and fuller. The classic Bichon cut shapes the head into a round ball where the ears and beard blend together. This shape is created entirely with scissors and requires experience with curly coats. A long coat looks great on a Maltese but needs daily combing and a loose topknot above the eyes.

How often should Maltese and Bichons visit the dog groomer?

We recommend an appointment every 6 to 8 weeks for Maltese and Bichons. At this interval, the shape is maintained, and small tangles don't grow into solid mats. If your dog has a puppy cut and you comb thoroughly at home, eight weeks is usually fine. For long coats or a Bichon with thick curls, you should stick closer to six weeks. Puppies can come in for their first puppy introduction groom after their second vaccination, so they can get used to the table and dryer in a relaxed way. Read more about the right intervals in our article How often should you visit the dog groomer?.

How to care for your Maltese and Bichon at home

Between appointments, your comb determines whether the coat can stay long next time. These tools are all you need for both breeds:

• A metal comb with coarse and fine teeth shows you if you are really getting down to the skin.
• A slicker brush with fine, bent wire pins removes small tangles in a Bichon's curls.
• A pin brush without ball tips protects the smooth, silky coat of the Maltese.
• A light conditioning spray ensures that dry hair breaks less during brushing.
• A soft, damp cloth helps with the daily cleaning of the corners of the eyes.

Comb through the coat in small sections three times a week, or every day for long coats. Start at the friction points behind the ears, under the armpits and on the inside of the hind legs. The reddish-brown stains under the eyes occur because tear fluid discolours the white hair. Wipe the corners of the eyes daily and keep the hair there as dry as possible. If the eyes are watering heavily or are red, please have this checked by a vet. You can find more tips in our article Preventing matting.

These are the most common mistakes we see with Maltese and Bichons

Many matting problems arise from good intentions because the coat looks well-groomed on the surface. We see these four mistakes time and again in the salon:

1. Only the surface is brushed, while matting is already forming underneath against the skin.
2. The Bichon is bathed and air-dried, which causes the curls to tighten.
3. Hairbands above the eyes sit too tightly and pull on the sensitive skin.
4. Grooming appointments are often skipped in winter, and by spring, a short clip is usually the only option left.

If the coat is matted right down to the skin, it usually can't be brushed out without causing pain. In this case, we clip the hair short underneath the mats, allowing the coat to grow back evenly. You can find out what you can do beforehand in our article Matted dog: what to do?.

What happens to your dog at our dog grooming salon in Berlin

We schedule about 90 to 120 minutes for a Full Groom for a Maltese or Bichon. First, we brush through the dry coat and check for any knots that need detangling. Then, we bathe your dog using pH-neutral natural products that are gentle on their white coat. While blow-drying, we brush layer by layer so the hair falls straight and loose. We only use scissors to cut the agreed shape once the coat is completely dry. Finally, we take care of the nails, eyes, ears, paws and sanitary area.

If your dog doesn't need a full haircut, a Mini Groom is perfect. It includes a bath, blow-dry, brush and light thinning. Thinning means we use texturising scissors to thin out the coat without visibly changing its length.

How much does a Maltese cost at a dog groomer in Berlin?

A Full Groom for a Maltese weighing between 2.5 and 5 kg costs 89 to 125 € at our salon. A Bichon Frisé usually weighs 5 to 10 kg, and a Full Groom is 105 to 135 €. For a very small Maltese up to 2 kg, a Full Groom starts at 79 €.

Where your dog falls in this range depends on coat condition, length, and behaviour on the table. If the coat is matted, we charge an additional dematting fee starting at 15 € per 15 minutes started. For very anxious dogs, we can schedule more time or a second person by arrangement. We'll give you a binding final price before the appointment after taking a personal look at the coat. You can get an initial estimate with our price calculator, and all starting prices are on our pricing page. Payment is due on collection, in cash or by card.

Nathalie is especially experienced with Bichons and Malteses

Our Head Stylist Nathalie specialises in Poodles and Bichons. She shapes the round Bichon head with scissors and neatly finishes Teddy-Cuts for Malteses. Nata, our top groomer with over ten years of experience, demats even difficult coats with a steady hand. Our Junior Groomer Kristina takes extra time for anxious dogs. Through our shop window at Giesebrechtstraße 2, you can watch from the outside while your dog is on the table. If you're looking for a Maltese dog groomer in Berlin, you can book an appointment online right now and select Nathalie.