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As an aristocrat of the canine world, this ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries. Originally called the “Melitaie Dog” he has also been known as “Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta”, the “Roman Ladies’ Dog,” the “Majestic Creature”, the “Comforter Dog,” and the “Maltese Terrier.” Sometime within the past century, he has come to simply be known as the “Maltese”. The breed’s history can be traced back many centuries. Some have placed its origin at two or three thousand years ago and Darwin placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC. There is also some evidence that the breed originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier, the exact origin is unknown.
Maltese are generally associated with the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with the migration of nomadic tribes. The Isle of Malta (or Melitae as it was then known) was a geographic centre of early trade, and explorers undoubtedly found ancestors of the tiny, white dogs left there as barter for necessities and supplies. The dogs were favoured by the wealthy and royalty alike and were bred over time to specifically be a companion animal.
The Single Coated Maltese is white, straight, long and silky. Maltese coat is never woolly or wavy. The head and expression created by their distinctive single coat is an important part of the breed. Use Plush Puppy Let’s Face It Shampoo. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s a nil fragrance, no tear formula with the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, sooth, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy rinsing yet complete cleaning.
Use Lets Face It first and leave on while using all other shampoos and rinsing off with the final shampoo rinse.
Now lets move onto the body. We recommend diluting all Plush Puppy Shampoos to achieve an even result and not to waste product.
This is a white coat so the perfect shampoo is Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng for its toning and brightening formula. Use diluted 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water). Use Herbal Whitening Shampoo for that crisp white finish. It works brilliantly to whiten whites and will not lighten or bleach but instead tone with optical brighteners. Herbal Whitening Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a concentrated and rich formula.
For dogs that need some extra whitening use Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. Absolutely brilliant for this breed! It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 5-10 minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes.
For coats that may feel to dry use Plush Puppy Natural Conditioning Shampoo with Evening Primrose diluted at 1:5. It features extracts of Evening Primrose that add softening and protection qualities to the coat.
After shampooing you need to condition this coat to keep that desired silky texture. For this use Plush Puppy Silk Protein Conditioner The active ingredients hydrate, soften and protect the coat. Apply diluted at 1:5 (1 part conditioner to 5 parts water). Again, so important to dilute to achieve consistent coverage and results. Allow to work for 5 minutes and rinse.
For coats that may be too full use the following mix. Pour a mixture of Plush Puppy Swishy Coat and Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream (1 tablespoon of each to 2 litres of warm water) through the coat and leave in. Squeeze water out and lightly towel dry.
For damaged coats, use an occasional treatment with Plush Puppy Coat Rescue. Dilute 2 tablespoons in 250ml of water, apply liberally to the coat and work easily through with the fingers. It will add substance back into depleted hair that is ready to snap. Leave on for 10 – 15 minutes and rinse.
A daily dosage of Plush Puppy Reviva Coat will highly benefit any coat. This is a leave-in moisturising mousse applied directly to the hands and then wiped through the coat. If you do wrap or braid at all, then use the Reviva Coat for this too. This is a wonderful moisturiser and won’t make the coats greasy to live with! Reviva Coat is great for reducing knots and disentangling. You can’t beat an application of this brilliant leave-in moisturiser.
When drying use the innovative Plush Puppy FAST Blow Dry Spray that combines clever ingredients to dramatically reduce drying time. It adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains Australian Native Flame Tree extracts known for their hydrating properties. It also protects the coat from sun and heat damage. A special active ingredient eliminates static electricity and stops the fly-away’s. A brilliant blow drying spray that halves the drying time.
For drying use the Plush Puppy Ultimate Pin Brush for drying until ¾ dry and then switch to the Plush Puppy Ultimate Anti-Static Porcupine Brush for final smoothing and finishing. I advocate using the Pin Brush till ¾ dry so as not to stretch the coat when wet. Overly stretching when wet causes the coat to tear along the shaft and makes tangling worse.
The coat should be totally dry and combed through with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb. Facial hair should be combed with fine toothed comb and whiskers and beard tied back with bands. Plush Puppy Combs have a comfortable lightweight oval shaped spine housing both fine and coarse pins that reduce drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
At times due to various reasons, static electricity can create flyaways. If this occurs use Plush Puppy Anti-Static Coat Control. This is a lightweight spray is infused with organic extracts and includes a UV filter to stop sun and heat damage.
Between shows is the important part of the routine. Oil the coat with Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil. It is blended using extracts of Calendula and Evening Primrose oils and adds shine, hydration, and condition to the coat. Add 1 – 2 teaspoons of Seabreeze Oil to 2 Litres of warm water and saturate through the coat. LEAVE IN. DO NOT RINSE. This is quite a unique product in that it is not greasy and totally water-soluble. It gives an outstanding healthy vigour to the skin and coat. It will maintain texture and moisture in the coat.
For ear edges and the hem of the coat you can apply Plush Puppy Seabreeze Oil directly undiluted from the spray bottle if this area is of particular concern. When coat is full length, it can be wrapped to protect the ends and promote growth with Seabreeze Oil. Amazing product.
For show day brushing and in between show brushing use Plush Puppy O.M.G. Grooming Spray. Available in a Ready to Use Spray or a Concentrate which is recommended to be diluted 1:20 for average use. You can tweak the dilution to suit your dog, but this is a good overall dilution ratio. The matts are so much quicker to get through and it is great for disentangling and general brushing.
Finish with Plush Puppy Protein Coat Balm on the ends or hem of the coat just a few minutes prior to entering the show ring to weigh down the edges of the coat and prevent them flying around unnecessarily, especially on windy, wild days. A little on your hands through the mid lengths is good too as this is not a heavy, greasy product and can be used repeatedly throughout the day.
Well why not go the whole hog and apply some Plush Puppy Cover-up Cream which is ostensibly white makeup for dogs. A consistency of a paste, it is applied with a barely damp sponge lightly with just a dab at a time and not blobbed on. Good for any stained area around the eyes or feet.
Is your Maltese beginning to look glam or not? You can sneak in a tiny amount of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. I do say a tiny amount. This will pick up glints of light especially in the sun, but you don’t overdo it. It’s meant to be subtle. If you can see it when you put this on, then you have gone overboard. It looks sensational but needs a wise hand. The trick with all these things is to do them sensibly and not overdo it. Everything should appear effortless and never contrived.
Keep handy the Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular. A quick clean for dirty feet, rear end or nether regions. This handy fling on and brush or blow dry off powder will instantly clean and deodorise which is essential for those emergency situations ringside.
Alternatively you can also use the Plush Puppy Wonder Wash which is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for “those show day” last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off.
A couple of quick things to remember – for a more cottony coat use Plush Puppy Blow Dry Cream. Dilute 1 tablespoon into 250ml water and apply through the root area to mid lengths before drying.
For a really out of coat situation use a little Plush Puppy Volumising Cream diluted 1 tablespoon to 250ml water and applied through root area to mid lengths before drying. This will add a slight coating to the hair to beef it up a bit. Also available in Ready to Use formula Plush Puppy Volumising Spray, a light spray, brush in and then dry. This is a hair thickener to add volume, not a hair stiffener and not easily detectable. It leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel.
Lastly a quick spray with Plush Puppy Odour Muncher. It literally munches the odour leaves a light fragrance – certainly not too much and definitely not too little.
Well you have prepared your Maltese for the show, your hard work and dedication to looking after that coat has paid off. You can proudly take this amazing breed into the ring and making that judges heart sing.
Plush Puppy Australia