Are Maltese hypoallergenic?

You want to get a dog, but unfortunately you are allergic to dog hair? Maybe a Maltese is suitable for you. Whether Maltese are hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers and why we clarify in this article.

Maltese are normally hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers, because they lose very little to no hair. However, the problem is not specifically with the dog hair, but with the protein compounds that are released from saliva, urine and skin glands and stick to the coat.

Why you are allergic to dog hair

You are not allergic to the dog hair specifically, but rather it is due to the protein compounds released from the saliva, urine and skin glands.

These protein compounds adhere to the coat and, when your dog sheds, spread throughout the home, on objects, your clothing and the air.

If you now come into contact with the hair through the eyes or the respiratory tract, your body reacts more or less strongly.

The protein compounds are actually harmless substances. However, your body recognizes them as foreign to your body, classifies them as harmful and responds with an overreaction of the immune system.

That is simply explained everything. So it’s not primarily about the dog hairs, it’s about dog hairs getting into your eyes or respiratory tract because your dog sheds them.

You don’t have that problem with a Maltese, because he doesn’t shed. The same is true for the Havanese, which also doesn´t sheds.

So the more a dog sheds, the more likely you are to have direct contact with the dog’s hair through the respiratory tract or eyes.

Does a Maltese shed?

A Maltese has no undercoat and does not go through a seasonal coat change. So a Maltese does not shed or better said almost not at all.

From time to time you can find a hair somewhere.

As Maltese do not shed, they are basically suitable for allergy sufferers, as no hair will settle on the furniture or be in the air in the room.

Maltese NOT suitable for allergy sufferers

The core statement that a Maltese is suitable for allergy sufferers may not apply to you.

As described earlier, it is not directly about the dog hair, but about the protein compounds from saliva or skin glands that adhere to the hair.

Now, if you are very sensitive, you may still be allergic to a Maltese, as contact with the protein compounds while cuddling, petting, etc. may still occur.

It is best that you visit a Maltese breeder before buying and do the testing directly.

Also, reputable breeders, attach importance to potential puppy buyers, in advance to get to know. A breeder wants to know where the puppies will go and not just sell them.

It is not in the sense of a breeder, if the puppy comes to the shelter because of a wrong purchase, because you might be allergic to a Maltese after all.

Are maltese easy to groom?

Before you get a Maltese because you are allergic, you should also look at the other side of the coin.

From everything I have read so far, I come to the conclusion that a dog that does not shed and is suitable for allergy sufferers – like the Maltese, needs more grooming.

Even though a Maltese is very small, it has lots of fur that needs to be groomed. And it is best to do it daily.

A Maltese’s silky coat tends to get matted and knotted and needs to be brushed daily. So grooming takes a relatively long time.

After each walk, you also need to inspect the coat and clean it from dirt, leaves or small twigs and other things.

Unfortunately, all sorts of things can easily get caught in the silky fur.

If you don’t feel like brushing your Maltese every day and examining the coat to make sure it doesn’t get matted or knotted, you shouldn’t get a Maltese.

Maltese does not want to be groomed

To make sure that your Maltese is not afraid of being groomed and to make brushing easier for you, you should get him used to it from the beginning at puppyhood.

Even though grooming a puppy is not that complicated and necessary, it is important that you get your Maltese used to daily grooming right away.

The easier it will be later, when it is necessary to brush your Maltese every day.

Maltese shearing

Many dog owners have their Maltese sheared regularly. The advantage is obvious, as less dirt can accumulate in short fur.

Also, grooming is naturally easier with short fur.

You should have your Maltese sheared by a groomer, if at all. The professional will know how short or how long the coat needs to stay so that there is still some protection from, for example, the sun.

Every two to three months you can have your Maltese sheared.

Tools for Maltese coat care

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FURminator curry comb*

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CONCLUSION: Are maltese hypoallergenic?

Yes, Maltese are hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers because they basically do not shed. Since you as an allergy sufferer, do not react directly to the dog hair itself but to the protein compounds from saliva or skin glands it makes sense to visit a Maltese breeder before buying. There is still a possibility that you will still be allergic to a Maltese if you are very sensitive.

The advantage that a Havanese doesn’t shed and you don’t have to remove hair from your furniture, brings at the same time more grooming with the coat.

Instead, you need to brush your Maltese daily and clean the coat from dirt, leaves, small branches and other things after every walk.

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