The teddy bear cut is the most popular Maltipoo haircut by a wide margin. It keeps the coat at a medium, even length all over and shapes the face into a soft, rounded look. But it is not the right fit for every Maltipoo. The coat type your dog inherited, how much time you have for brushing between appointments, and the season all affect which style actually works best for your dog.
This guide walks through every major Maltipoo haircut style: what each looks like, which coat types it suits, how much maintenance it demands, and what to actually tell your groomer when you book.
| Style | Body length | Face shape | Coat type | Maintenance | Grooming frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teddy Bear Cut | 1 to 2 inches | Rounded, full | Wavy or curly | Medium | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Puppy Cut | 1 to 2 inches | Even with body | Any | Low to medium | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Kennel / Summer Cut | 0.25 to 0.5 inches | Short | Any | Low | Every 8 to 12 weeks |
| Lamb Cut | Short body, longer legs | Fluffy and rounded | Curly | Medium to high | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Lion Cut | Short body, fluffy head and mane | Full around face | Curly | Medium | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Maltese Cut | Short body, longer ears | Soft, open face | Wavy or silky | Medium | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Poodle / Miami Cut | Short body, pom-poms on legs | Rounded topknot | Curly | High | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
| Long and Natural | 3 to 4+ inches | Flowing | Wavy or silky | High | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
How Coat Type Affects Your Haircut Options
Before choosing a style, it helps to know which of the two main coat types your Maltipoo has. This is the factor most grooming guides skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest practical difference.
Wavy coat: Softer, looser wave pattern with less curl. More common in first-generation Maltipoos that have taken more after the Maltese side. Tangles but does not mat as aggressively as a curly coat. Works well with the teddy bear cut, puppy cut, Maltese cut, and long natural styles.
Curly coat: Tighter curl pattern, more Poodle-like. More common in F1b Maltipoos and those that have taken more after the Poodle side. Mats faster between brushing sessions, especially around the ears, armpits, and collar area. Suits the teddy bear, lamb, poodle, and kennel cuts well. Long styles are harder to maintain on a curly coat.
If you are not sure which type your Maltipoo has, run a clean slicker brush through a dry section of coat. A wavy coat brushes out in smooth sections. A curly coat springs back into ringlets immediately after brushing.
For more detail on how the Maltipoo coat works and how to prevent mats between grooming appointments, visit our Maltipoo grooming guide.
The 8 Main Maltipoo Haircut Styles
1. Teddy Bear Cut
What it looks like: The body is clipped to an even 1 to 2 inches all over. The face is trimmed into a soft, rounded shape that frames the eyes and ears. The overall effect is a plush, stuffed-animal look, which is exactly where the name comes from.
Why it works for Maltipoos: The rounded face shape suits the Maltipoo's naturally wide-set eyes and short muzzle. Keeping the coat at a manageable length reduces daily brushing time compared to longer styles while still looking polished and full.
Best coat type: Wavy or curly. The curly coat in particular holds the rounded shape well.
Maintenance: Brush two to three times per week to keep the coat from tangling. Schedule professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Teddy bear cut, 1 to 2 inch body, rounded face, ears left fluffy."
2. Puppy Cut
What it looks like: The entire coat is trimmed to the same even length all over, including the legs, face, and tail. Unlike the teddy bear cut, there is no special shaping around the face. The result is a clean, uniform look that keeps the dog looking young and neat.
Why it works: The puppy cut is the most straightforward and easiest to maintain of all the Maltipoo haircut styles. The uniform length means the coat grows out evenly, so there is less risk of the style looking uneven between grooming appointments.
Best coat type: Works on any coat type. It is the default choice for owners who want a practical, low-fuss style.
Maintenance: Brush two to three times per week. Grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Puppy cut, even all over, around 1 to 1.5 inches, no face shaping."
Note on naming: Some groomers use "puppy cut" and "teddy bear cut" interchangeably. If it matters to you which you get, be specific about whether you want the face left even with the body or shaped into a rounded look.
3. Kennel Cut (Summer Cut)
What it looks like: A very short clip, usually 0.25 to 0.5 inches, across the entire body including the face. This is the most practical and lowest-maintenance cut available. It is sometimes called the summer cut when done specifically for hot weather.
Why it works: The short length almost eliminates the risk of matting between appointments. It keeps the dog cool in warm months and is ideal for Maltipoos that spend time outdoors, swim, or get muddy regularly. It also extends the time between professional grooming visits considerably.
Best coat type: Any. Particularly useful for curly-coated Maltipoos that mat quickly.
Maintenance: Minimal. Light brushing once or twice a week is enough at this length. Professional grooming every 8 to 12 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Kennel cut, quarter to half inch all over, short on the face too."
Worth knowing: Some owners find the kennel cut makes their Maltipoo look less fluffy than they like. If keeping the full, round appearance matters to you, this is not the right style. But if coat management is a real challenge in your household, this cut is a practical solution worth trying at least once.
4. Lamb Cut
What it looks like: The body is clipped short, around 0.5 to 1 inch, while the legs are left considerably longer and fluffy. The face is styled rounded and full. The contrast between the close-cut body and the fluffy legs gives the dog a look similar to a young lamb, hence the name.
Why it works: The short body keeps the torso cool and easy to clean. The longer legs create a distinctive, slightly dramatic silhouette that many owners love on curly-coated Maltipoos.
Best coat type: Curly. The poodle-like ringlets on the legs hold the lamb cut silhouette well. Wavy coats can work but the leg contrast is less pronounced.
Maintenance: The longer leg hair tangles more than the body. Brush the legs carefully every two days. Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Lamb cut, half inch on body, leave legs full and fluffy, rounded face."
5. Lion Cut
What it looks like: The body and hindquarters are clipped very short. The head, neck, and chest are left full and fluffy, creating a mane. The tail tip is often left as a pom-pom. The overall look is bold and distinctive.
Why it works: The contrast between the full head and the short body is striking. The cut keeps the bulk of the body cool while preserving the expressive face and head. It suits confident, outgoing Maltipoos well.
Best coat type: Curly or thick wavy. The mane needs enough volume to look full, which requires a coat with reasonable density.
Maintenance: The mane area needs regular brushing, every one to two days, to stay tangle-free and full. Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Lion cut, short on body from behind the shoulders, full mane kept on head, neck, and chest, pom-pom on tail tip."
6. Maltese Cut
What it looks like: The body is clipped shorter, around 0.5 to 1 inch, while the ears are left longer and the face is trimmed to an open, soft look without the exaggerated rounding of the teddy bear cut. It is inspired by traditional Maltese breed grooming.
Why it works: The style suits Maltipoos that have taken more after the Maltese parent, with a softer, silkier coat and a flatter face. The ear length adds elegance without requiring the same upkeep as a fully long style.
Best coat type: Wavy or silky. Less suited to tight curly coats where the ear length creates heavy matting risk.
Maintenance: Brush every two to three days, paying close attention to the ears. Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Maltese-inspired cut, short on body, longer flowing ears, soft open face."
7. Poodle Cut (Miami Cut)
What it looks like: The body is shaved very close. Pom-poms of longer hair are left on the paws, the top of the head, and the tail. The face may be left rounded or shaved close depending on preference. This style references the classic continental Poodle clip.
Why it works: It is a bold, distinctive look that shows off the dog's poodle heritage. The close-clipped body is easy to keep clean.
Best coat type: Tight curly coat only. The pom-pom shapes require enough curl to hold their form. This cut does not work on wavy or flat coats.
Maintenance: The pom-pom areas need daily brushing to hold their shape. Professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Poodle cut with pom-poms on feet, tail, and head. Close clip on body. Rounded topknot on head."
8. Long and Natural
What it looks like: The coat is kept at 3 to 4 inches or longer, trimmed only for shape and to keep it out of the eyes. The dog looks full, flowing, and closest to its natural coat length.
Why it works: For owners who prefer a longer, more natural look, this style gives a soft, elegant appearance. It is particularly striking on Maltipoos with a smooth, silky wavy coat.
Best coat type: Wavy or silky only. A long curly coat mats quickly and becomes painful and difficult to manage without daily brushing and professional visits every four weeks.
Maintenance: Daily brushing is non-negotiable at this length. Any missed session risks matting, particularly behind the ears and in the armpits. Professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
What to tell your groomer: "Keep it long, tidy the face and trim around the paws and sanitary areas, light shape only."
Maltipoo Haircuts for Males
There is no grooming style exclusive to male Maltipoos. The same styles work on dogs of either sex. In practice, many owners of male Maltipoos lean toward the shorter, lower-maintenance styles: the puppy cut, kennel cut, or lamb cut. The shorter body lengths tend to keep male dogs cleaner around the sanitary areas, which is a practical consideration.
The poodle cut and teddy bear cut are also popular for male Maltipoos. If your male dog has a strong curly coat from a Poodle-dominant gene expression, any style that plays up the curl works well.
Maltipoo Haircuts for Females
Again, the same styles are available. Female Maltipoos are more commonly given the teddy bear cut, Maltese cut, or longer natural styles by their owners, simply because of aesthetic preference rather than any coat difference.
Owners who want a more elaborate look for a female Maltipoo sometimes ask for a small topknot secured with a clip or band, which pairs with almost any style that leaves moderate length on the top of the head.
How Often Does a Maltipoo Need a Haircut?
The honest answer depends on the style you choose and how much you brush between appointments.
| Hair length / style | Minimum brushing at home | Professional groom |
|---|---|---|
| Short (kennel / summer cut) | Once or twice a week | Every 8 to 12 weeks |
| Medium (puppy / teddy bear / lamb) | Two to three times a week | Every 6 to 8 weeks |
| Long (Maltese / long natural / poodle) | Daily | Every 4 to 6 weeks |
The relationship is direct: the longer the coat, the more frequently you need to brush, and the more frequently you need professional grooming. Skipping brushing with a long or medium coat does not just look bad. It leads to matting, which causes skin irritation and can only be removed by shaving the coat down, sometimes right to the skin.
If you are new to Maltipoo ownership or genuinely cannot commit to daily brushing, start with a shorter style. The kennel cut or puppy cut at 1 inch all over is easy to manage and still looks polished. You can always try a longer style once you have the brushing routine locked in.
What Professional Grooming Costs
Professional grooming for a Maltipoo typically costs between $60 and $100 per appointment in the US, depending on your location, the salon, and the style. Larger cities tend to run toward the top of that range. This usually includes a bath, blow-dry, haircut, nail trim, and ear cleaning.
At six-week intervals, that works out to roughly $500 to $850 per year. At eight-week intervals, it is around $390 to $650. Over the course of a 12 to 15 year Maltipoo lifespan, professional grooming alone represents a meaningful cost. It is worth factoring into your ownership budget from the start.
For the full picture of annual Maltipoo costs including food, vet care, and supplies, see our Maltipoo cost guide.
What a Professional Groom Includes
A standard full groom at a professional salon covers:
- Bath with dog-specific shampoo and conditioner
- Blow-dry and brush-out
- Haircut to your specified style and length
- Nail trim (and sometimes a file)
- Ear cleaning
- Sanitary trim (around the private areas)
Some salons include teeth brushing in a full groom package. Others offer it as an add-on. It is worth asking.
When you drop off your dog, be specific. Do not just say "can you tidy him up." Name the style from the list above, give a rough body length in inches, and mention any areas you want left longer or shorter than usual. A good groomer will listen and ask clarifying questions if needed.
Your Maltipoo's First Haircut
Most groomers recommend waiting until a puppy has completed its core vaccination series before its first professional groom, typically around 12 to 16 weeks. This is to protect the puppy from exposure to other dogs at the salon before its immune system is fully covered.
Before the first professional cut, you can and should start getting the puppy comfortable with being touched, brushed, and handled. Touch the paws, ears, and muzzle regularly. Introduce a soft brush from 8 weeks on. The puppy does not need to tolerate a full groom, but the more positive associations it builds with being handled, the calmer it will be for every grooming session for the rest of its life.
For the first professional haircut, keep expectations low and the appointment short. Many groomers offer a "puppy first groom" package that is gentler and shorter than a full groom. A simple tidy and bath is the right goal at this stage, not a full style transformation.
For more on the puppy coat transition and what to expect as the adult coat comes in, visit our Maltipoo puppies guide.
Home Grooming Between Appointments
Professional grooming every six to eight weeks keeps the style, but what happens at home between visits determines whether you arrive at that appointment with a manageable coat or a matted one.
Brushing: Work through the coat in sections with a soft slicker brush, then follow with a fine-tooth metal comb to catch any tangles the slicker missed. Start at the tips of the hair and work toward the roots. Do not drag the brush from root to tip on a tangled section. It pulls the skin and makes the experience unpleasant for the dog.
Matting hotspots: These areas mat faster than everywhere else. Check them at every brushing session.
- Behind and under the ears
- Under the collar and around the neck
- In the armpits (where the front legs meet the body)
- Around the groin area
- Under the tail
Eye area: The hair around the eyes grows toward the eyes quickly and can cause irritation. Use blunt-nosed scissors to carefully trim the fringe away from the eyes between grooms, or ask your groomer to show you the correct technique at your next appointment.
Bathing: Once every three to four weeks. Always brush out any tangles before bathing. Wet, tangled hair mats far more tightly than dry tangled hair, and a mat that was manageable when dry can become a matted solid block when wet.
DIY Haircuts: Can You Do It at Home?
Yes, with the right tools and realistic expectations. Most owners who groom at home start by learning to do touch-ups and maintenance trims between professional appointments, rather than attempting a full style cut from scratch.
Basic tools you need:
- Slicker brush and metal comb (essential for all coat maintenance)
- Blunt-nosed curved scissors for face and paw trimming
- Straight scissors for body trimming if going DIY
- Dog clippers with interchangeable guards if you want to do full body clips
- Detangling spray
- Dog-specific shampoo and conditioner
The face is the hardest part to do well at home. The scissors are close to the eyes, and any sudden movement creates real risk. If you are new to DIY grooming, start with the body only and continue having a groomer handle the face.
Plenty of video tutorials covering specific cuts are available online. Watching a technique demonstrated on a dog similar to yours before attempting it at home is worth the time.
The same styles are available to both, but the results look different and the maintenance demands differ. Curly coats mat faster, so longer styles require more frequent brushing. The kennel cut, puppy cut, and lamb cut all work particularly well on curly Maltipoos. Longer natural styles are easier to maintain on wavy or silky coats.