Puppy Grooming by Breed
Every breed is different. A Maltipoo’s fine, silky coat needs something completely different than a Cavapoo’s curls — and getting it wrong leads to mats, skin problems, and a dog that fights the groomer every time. Here’s exactly what each breed needs.
The biggest grooming mistake new puppy owners make is waiting too long to start. Most people wait until the puppy actually needs grooming. But the right time to start is before they need it — when they’re 8 weeks old and everything is still new and exciting to them.
A puppy that gets handled gently from day one — paws touched, ears rubbed, face wiped — grows into a dog that sits calmly for a bath. A puppy that never gets handled becomes a dog that fights the groomer every single time.
Use the jump links below to go straight to your breed, or read through for the full picture.
Jump to Your Breed
All-Breed Grooming Snapshot
A quick comparison before you dive into the details for your breed.
| Breed | Coat Type | Brush Frequency | Baths | Prof. Haircut | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltipoo | Soft, wavy/curly | Daily | Every 3–4 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks | High |
| Cavapoo | Wavy to curly | Every other day | Every 3–4 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks | Moderate |
| Teddy Bear (Shichon) | Soft, wavy/curly | Every other day | Every 3–4 weeks | Every 6–8 weeks | Moderate |
🐾 Maltipoo
Maltipoos carry the best of both the Maltese and Poodle when it comes to personality — but that beautiful soft coat needs daily attention. Their fine, silky fur tangles easily, especially around the face and ears. The good news: Maltipoos are small, so a full brushing session takes just 5–10 minutes once you have a routine down.
👁 Tear Stains — The #1 Maltipoo Issue
Maltipoos often develop reddish-brown staining under the eyes. Use a soft damp cloth or dog-safe eye wipes every morning to keep the area clean. Filtered water and certain foods can reduce how much they tear. Ask your vet if staining is severe — it can signal a blocked tear duct.
✂ Face Trimming
Hair growing over the eyes causes irritation and eye infections. Trim the hair around the eyes every 3–4 weeks, or ask your groomer to shape the face at each appointment. A “puppy face” cut keeps the fur short and adorable while protecting the eyes.
⚠ Fine Coat = Quick Mats
Maltipoo fur is very fine, which means it tangles fast. After every bath, comb through the coat with a fine-toothed metal comb before blow-drying. Drying with tangles in the coat sets them permanently.
🛁 Bath Time Tips
Use a gentle tearless puppy shampoo — never adult shampoo. Warm (not hot) water only. Fully dry with a blow dryer set to low. Never let a Maltipoo air-dry — the fine coat stays damp near the skin and can cause skin irritation or a musty odor.
🐾 Cavapoo
Cavapoos are a cross between Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles, and their coats reflect both parents. Some pups come out with looser Cavalier waves; others get the tight Poodle curl. You often don’t know exactly which until they’re a few months old. Either way, plan for brushing every other day and a professional haircut every 6–8 weeks.
🧮 Adjusting for Coat Type
Wavy-coated Cavapoos need brushing every other day with a slicker brush and a metal comb to check for hidden tangles. Curly-coated Cavapoos are closer to a Poodle — they need more frequent brushing and line-brushing technique to prevent matting at the skin.
✂ Best Cuts for Cavapoos
The teddy bear cut is the most popular choice — it keeps the face round and fluffy with a short, even body. A “summer cut” goes shorter to reduce maintenance. Either way, the face hair around the eyes needs regular trimming to protect vision and prevent irritation.
👂 Ear Care
Cavapoos inherit the Cavalier’s floppy ears. Clean the ears every 1–2 weeks with a vet-approved solution on a cotton ball. If your Cavapoo has tighter Poodle-type ear canals, ask your groomer to check and pluck any ear hair at appointments. Early attention prevents recurring ear infections.
⚠ The Mat Warning
Check behind the ears, armpits, collar area, and where the legs meet the body — these are the first places mats form. Catch them early with a dematting comb. Wait too long and they require shaving.
A Cavapoo puppy that gets lifted onto a counter or table for brushing from week one learns to stand calmly. This makes every groomer visit easier for life. Pair it with treats and keep sessions under 5 minutes at first.
🐾 Teddy Bear (Shichon)
Teddy Bear puppies — a Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise mix — are named after their look, and keeping that teddy bear appearance requires consistent grooming. Their soft, fluffy coats are one of the most appealing of any breed, but they grow quickly and mat easily around the face, neck, and armpits. The classic teddy bear cut keeps them looking like stuffed animals while keeping maintenance manageable.
✂ The Teddy Bear Cut
The classic teddy bear cut keeps the face round and full with the coat trimmed to 1.5–2 inches all over the body. The legs stay full and fluffy, and the tail is left as a plume. This style requires professional grooming every 6–8 weeks and brushing every other day at home.
🧮 Mat Hotspots
Teddy Bears mat most often around the collar area, behind the ears, under the armpits, and where the legs meet the body. Check these areas first at every brushing session. A quick 3-minute comb-through of these four spots prevents the majority of mats.
👁 Keeping the Face Clean
The fluffy face is what makes Teddy Bears so irresistible — but food, moisture, and eye discharge can cause staining and skin fold issues around the muzzle. Wipe the face with a damp cloth or face wipes after meals and every morning. Trim hair around the eyes every few weeks.
⚠ Brachycephalic Considerations
Teddy Bears inherit some flat-face traits from the Shih Tzu side. Their faces hold moisture in the skin folds around the nose more than other breeds. Keep this area clean and dry. A light application of pet-safe cornstarch powder can help on particularly damp days.
Whether you have a Maltipoo, Cavapoo, or Teddy Bear, the single most valuable thing you can do in the first weeks home is build a positive grooming routine. Five minutes a day of gentle brushing, paw handling, and ear touching now saves you hours of groomer struggles for the next 15 years.
Essential Grooming Starter Kit
These tools cover all three breeds we place. You don’t need all of them on day one — start with what your breed needs most.
Slicker Brush
Works on all coat types. Use gentle pressure — it’s not a scrubbing brush. The Chris Christensen or Hertzko brands are worth the investment.
Metal Comb
The only way to confirm there are no mats near the skin. After brushing, run the comb through — if it glides, you’re done. If it snags, brush more.
Puppy Shampoo
Use tearless puppy formula for the first year. Oatmeal-based shampoos are gentle and soothing. Never use human shampoo — the pH is wrong for dogs.
Nail Clippers or Grinder
Start with clippers. If your dog tolerates it, a nail grinder is quieter and removes the risk of cutting the quick. Trim a tiny amount weekly rather than a lot less often.
Ear Cleaning Solution
A vet-recommended ear cleaner applied to a cotton ball (never a cotton swab inside the canal). Use on all three breeds every 1–2 weeks — all have floppy ears prone to moisture buildup.
Dog Eye Wipes
Pre-moistened wipes formulated for dogs. Use around the eye area to remove discharge and prevent staining. Essential for Maltipoos and Teddy Bears; helpful for Cavapoos too.
Dog Toothbrush & Paste
Use enzymatic dog toothpaste — it works without full rinsing. A finger brush is easiest for puppies. All three breeds benefit from daily brushing — small dogs are prone to early dental disease.
Pet Hair Dryer or Low-Heat Dryer
Never let any of these three breeds air-dry. A forced air dryer or a standard dryer on a cool setting while brushing through gives the best results and prevents skin issues.
| Tool | Essential For | Optional For |
|---|---|---|
| Slicker Brush | Maltipoo, Cavapoo, Teddy Bear | — |
| Metal Comb | Maltipoo, Cavapoo, Teddy Bear | — |
| Dematting Comb | Maltipoo, Cavapoo | Teddy Bear |
| Eye Wipes | Maltipoo, Teddy Bear | Cavapoo |
| Ear Cleaning Solution | Maltipoo, Cavapoo, Teddy Bear | — |
| Dog Toothbrush | All three breeds | — |
Grooming Questions I Get Every Week
These are the questions new puppy families ask me most often after pickup.
When should I start grooming my puppy?
When can my puppy get their first professional groom?
How often does a Maltipoo need to be groomed?
How often does a Cavapoo need grooming?
What happens if I skip grooming my Maltipoo or Teddy Bear?
Can I groom my puppy at home instead of going to a groomer?
What tools do I need for puppy grooming at home?
Browse Our Available Puppy Breeds
Every puppy includes health testing, ENS training, and our 2-year health guarantee
Maltipoo
Maltese × Toy Poodle. Playful, smart, and deeply affectionate. Ideal for first-time owners, apartments, and allergy-sensitive families.
Cavapoo
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle. Gentle, adaptable, and wonderful with children. Soft, low-shedding coat with a loving personality.
Teddy Bear (Shichon)
Shih Tzu × Bichon Frise. Soft, cuddly, and endlessly affectionate. Calm with children and seniors alike. Perfectly sized for any home.
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