Bhe-Jei Maltese

Raised with Love  Shown With Pride

 

 

    

Basic Grooming
Choosing A Groomer
Tear Stains
Topknots
Grooming Supplies
Leisure Trims
Wrapping A Maltese

All About Maltese
What is a Responsible Breeder
Maltese Breed History
AKC Maltese Breed Standard
Grooming Your Maltese
Tear Staining: The Causes & Cures
Living With A Maltese
Maltese Puppy Development
Your Maltese Puppy
Maltese Health Issue
Feeding Your Maltese
Making a Maltese Champion
Emergency Evacuation with Your Dog
Maltese Breeders Referral
Maltese Book
Maltese Shopping

 

 

 

Putting a Maltese into Wraps (or other coated breed dog) 
aka "Wrapping"

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Putting a Maltese (or other coated breed dog such as Yorkie, Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso) into wraps is a technique that is used by many to aid in growing a long show coat.  

You dog will probably be at least 6 months (and many times more like 9 to 10 months) before you begin wrapping as the coat is just not long enough to stay in wraps.  If you do wrap a coat you must remember that wraps will need to be taken out frequently (a minimum of every other day) and re-wrapped to avoid mats forming under the wraps.  You will also need to insure that a coat does not become damp and remain damp under the wraps as this can cause a coat to mildew (and unfortunately turn an ugly green/black color).

Your Maltese should be bathed and groomed free of mats before your begin to wrap.  Some prefer to place a dog in oil before wrapping and other prefer not to use oil.  This is a matter of personal preference.

Supplies you will need for wrapping include:

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silk wrapping paper (see vendors such as Lainee Ltd or Show-Off at Dog Shopping page) to purchase these; this a thick fibrous/porous paper or bakery wrap papers - these are the waxy paper that is used when you buy a donut or similar product.  These can be purchased at a restaurant supply store

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rubber bands, medium size -- again see Dog Shopping page and order for vendors such as Lainee or Show Off

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rattail comb

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brush

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conditioning spray

Start with your Maltese standing on a table and select a section of hair to be wrapped.  A good size section is about 2 to 3 inches wide and about 2 - 3 inches high.  Use your parting comb to insure that you have a good even part in the section so hair will not pull between different wrapped sections.  Some people like to spray a conditioning product or oil on the coat before placing in wrappers.  If so, now is the time to do this.

Pick up the paper or bakery wrap.  If you are using silk wraps fold about 1/4 of the paper over on the top to make a nice even fold -- make sure that the fold is on the top and the paper folds away from you.  If you are using the bakery wraps also fold a small portion on the top away from you.

Place the hair on top of the paper wrap in the center of the wrapping paper.  Gather the hair together so that the hair is about 1/3 in the center of the paper.  Then first fold one side and then the other side over the hair. 

The edges of the paper should be creased to make a nice even fold.

Next fold the wrapped hair toward the body of the dog -- again this should be in thirds.

The resulting packet of hair/wraps should look like this

Next you should use a medium size rubber band and secure it around the hair/wrapper packet.

A finished packet of hair/wrapper should look like this.  You can then proceed to place additional wraps in the hair in other locations.  How many wraps you place in your dog will depend on the needs of you dog, his level of exercise and many other factors.  Some people wrap the entire dog from head to toe -- including the tail.  Others use wraps selectively to protect areas more proned to soiling.

The model for the above pictures of wrapping procedures was Ch. Bhe-Jei's Star Dust Of Wesglyn  Wrapping demonstration by Glynette Cass (Wesglyn Maltese).  Photos by Bobbie Linden (Bhe-Jei Maltese).
 

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An example of wrapped Maltese are seen below

 

This "model" nicely done up in wraps is
Ch. Divine's Risque Moment (aka Elmo)
Divine Maltese Web Site
thanks Angie for letting Elmo be a very lovely example of a wrapped dog

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This web page was designed by Bobbie Linden and is maintained by the
members of the "Maltese Forum" as a tribute to Bobbie Linden of Bhe-Jei Maltese
Contact sharon@foxstonemaltese.com at Foxstone Maltese for more information 
Copyright © 1996 - 2007 Bhe-Jei Maltese Website