10 Maltipoo Haircuts: Cutest Styles, Photos & Grooming Tips
The most popular Maltipoo haircuts are the teddy bear cut, the puppy cut, the summer (or kennel) cut, the lamb cut, and the Shih Tzu-style face. Teddy bear and puppy cuts keep the body an even 1–2 inches with a rounded face and are the easiest to maintain, while the summer cut goes shorter (about half an inch) to beat heat and matting. Most Maltipoos need a full groom every 4–6 weeks.
Maltipoos inherit a soft, wavy-to-curly coat from their Maltese and Poodle parents. That coat looks adorable but mats fast, so the "style" you choose is really a decision about how much daily brushing and how many grooming appointments you are signing up for. Below are the ten cuts groomers reach for most, what each one costs you in upkeep, and how to keep your pup comfortable between visits.
Why Maltipoo Coat Type Changes Everything
Before you pick a style, look at your dog's coat. Maltipoos come in three rough coat types: straight (more Maltese-like), wavy, and tight curly (more Poodle-like). Curlier coats trap loose hair and mat closest to the skin, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the collar. Because Maltipoos are a crossbreed, littermates can have completely different coats, which is why your neighbor's Maltipoo might thrive in a long style while yours needs a short trim to stay comfortable.
Maltipoos are low-shedding rather than truly "hypoallergenic" — no dog is 100% allergen-free — and that low shedding is exactly why they need regular haircuts. Hair that would otherwise fall out keeps growing, so without trims it tangles into mats that pull on the skin. If you want to understand the shedding side of doodle-type coats, our guide to reducing dog shedding and keeping a clean home breaks down what to expect.
1. The Teddy Bear Cut (The Classic Maltipoo Look)
The teddy bear cut is the signature Maltipoo style: body hair left at about 1–1.5 inches and the face rounded into a soft, plush circle with the muzzle and cheeks trimmed to match. It is the look most people picture when they imagine a Maltipoo, and it photographs beautifully. Expect to brush every day or two and book a groomer every 4–6 weeks to keep the round face crisp.
2. The Puppy Cut
The puppy cut trims the entire coat to one even length — usually 1–2 inches — including the legs and face. It is often used interchangeably with "teddy bear," but purists reserve teddy bear for the rounded-face finish. The puppy cut is forgiving, hides minor grooming mistakes, and is a great default if you are not sure what you want. Maintenance is moderate: a few brushings a week plus a groom every 5–6 weeks.
3. The Summer (Kennel) Cut
When the weather heats up, many owners switch to a summer or kennel cut of roughly a half-inch all over. It is the most economical option because the coat takes longer to grow back into the groomer's chair, and it dramatically cuts down on matting. Just remember that a very short coat offers less sun protection, so limit midday walks and never shave a Maltipoo down to the skin, which can interfere with the coat's natural insulation and regrowth. For more warm-weather care, see our roundup of the best summertime dog products.
4. The Lamb Cut
The lamb cut leaves the body short while keeping the legs fuller and fluffier, creating a leggy, lamb-like silhouette. It is a nice middle ground — cooler on the torso, still stylish — but the fuller legs mat where they rub, so keep a comb handy for the "pants."
5. The Shih Tzu (Rounded Face) Cut
Borrowed from the Shih Tzu, this style squares and lengthens the facial hair, often with a longer mustache and beard, while keeping the body moderate. It suits Maltipoos with fuller face furnishings and gives a slightly more "doll-like" expression. Face hair this long needs daily combing and regular eye-area cleaning to prevent tear staining.
6. The Lion Cut
A playful, high-contrast style: the mane around the head and chest is left long while the hindquarters and legs are clipped short, sometimes with a tuft left on the tail. It is more of a statement cut than a practical one, but the short back end keeps grooming manageable.
7. The Top Knot / Long Coat
If you love the flowing, show-dog look, you can grow the coat out long and pull the head hair into a top knot to keep it out of the eyes. Be honest with yourself first: a long Maltipoo coat is a serious commitment of daily brushing and line-combing to the skin. Skip a few days and you will be back at the groomer for a shave-down.
8. The Cocker Spaniel Cut
This style keeps the body short to medium and leaves the ears, chest, and legs longer and feathered, echoing a Cocker Spaniel's outline. It flatters Maltipoos with wavier coats and is a good way to show off a pretty face without full-length upkeep.
9. The Modern / Asymmetrical Cut
Trendy on social media, the "modern" cut plays with proportions — a fluffy rounded head paired with a closely clipped body, or exaggerated round paws ("clean feet with fluffy legs"). Ask your groomer to show you photos of their own work so you agree on the look before the clippers come out.
10. The Utility / Hygiene Trim
Not every trip to the groomer is a full restyle. A hygiene or "face, feet, and fanny" trim tidies the eyes, sanitary area, and paw pads between full grooms. It is inexpensive, keeps your dog comfortable, and buys you extra weeks between big appointments.
How Often Should You Groom a Maltipoo?
Most Maltipoos need a full professional groom every 4–6 weeks, with longer coats trending toward the shorter end of that window. Between visits, brush 3–7 times a week depending on coat length, working a comb all the way to the skin rather than just skimming the surface. Introduce brushing early and keep sessions calm and positive — if your dog dreads the process, our tips on easing grooming anxiety can help. Prefer to do it yourself? Start with our DIY dog grooming guide before investing in clippers.
At-Home Maintenance That Protects Your Cut
A great haircut only lasts if you maintain it. Use a slicker brush followed by a metal comb to catch mats the brush misses, and check the high-friction zones — behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar — every couple of days. Bathe only when needed with a gentle dog shampoo, and always dry and brush thoroughly afterward, because a Maltipoo left to air-dry mats as it dries. Trim the hair around the eyes carefully to reduce staining, and keep the paw pads tidy for traction on slick floors. If you want the doodle-family context, compare notes with our poodle haircut styles and goldendoodle haircuts guides — the maintenance principles carry across all curly-coated crossbreeds.
How Much Do Maltipoo Haircuts Cost?
Grooming prices vary by region, coat condition, and dog size, but most Maltipoo owners pay somewhere in the range of $50–$90 per full groom at a professional salon, with mobile and de-matting services costing more. Heavily matted coats cost extra because they take longer and are harder on the dog — another reason consistent at-home brushing pays for itself. A basic hygiene trim between full grooms is usually a fraction of the full-groom price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Maltipoo haircut?
The teddy bear cut is by far the most requested Maltipoo style, prized for its soft, rounded, plush-toy face and even body length that is relatively easy to maintain.
How short can you cut a Maltipoo?
A summer or kennel cut of about half an inch is the shortest most groomers recommend. Shaving all the way down to the skin is discouraged because it can affect the coat's natural insulation and regrowth and leaves the skin exposed to sunburn.
How do I stop my Maltipoo's coat from matting?
Brush 3–7 times a week with a slicker brush and a metal comb worked to the skin, focus on friction zones like behind the ears and under the legs, and always dry and brush after a bath. Choosing a shorter cut also reduces matting significantly.
Do Maltipoos need haircuts, or can I leave the coat natural?
Because Maltipoos are low-shedding, their hair keeps growing and will tangle into painful mats without regular trims. Even owners who love a long coat need consistent brushing and periodic grooming — going without is not a comfortable option for the dog.
How often should a Maltipoo be professionally groomed?
Every 4–6 weeks is typical for a full groom. Longer styles need the shorter interval, while very short summer cuts can sometimes stretch a bit further between appointments.
Will my Maltipoo's coat change as it grows up?
Yes. Many Maltipoos transition from a soft puppy coat to a denser adult coat between roughly 8 and 12 months, and the adult coat often mats more easily — so you may need to adjust your brushing routine and cut length as your dog matures.
The Bottom Line
The best Maltipoo haircut is the one that matches your dog's coat type and your real-life grooming routine. If you are short on time, a teddy bear, puppy, or summer cut keeps things simple and comfortable; if you love the fluffy show look and don't mind daily combing, a longer style can be stunning. Whatever you choose, consistent at-home brushing is what keeps your Maltipoo mat-free and happy between appointments.
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