Dear Ruff: Anytime the skin symptoms arise, you need to look at possible internal or external causes. There could be several problems relating to dry skin including food allergies or intolerances, parasites - especially fleas – or worms, or some overall immune issue like Thyroid disease. Always consult with your vet if the problem worsens or persists.

But your description sounds like a simple case of cold weather dry skin causing dandruff. The best way to help your dog’s coat regain its lost luster is to give him a good brushing. Do it daily. Start with a rubber mitt with little nubs on it and rub the coat in a circular fashion to remove any caked on dirt, sweat, slobber, or whatever had stuck to your dog on his daily walk or romp.

Brushing And

Rubbing Secrets

By using long sweeping strokes with the lie of the coat, you will not only pick up dirt and debris, which causes dullness, but also stimulate the oil glands in the epidermis (top layer) of the skin. Bushing releases these oils, which adds a shine to the coat.

When brushing, use one hand for the brush and, ideally after each stroke, run a comb through the brush to remove the dead skin and flakes out of the brush. This way dirt won’t get ground back into the coat.

Start with a coarser brush first, then add a softer “finishing” brush followed by a towel or rub rag. Reducing the bristle size each time removes smaller and smaller particles of dirt. By the time you get down to the rub rag (an old cotton diaper works wonders) you are literally just picking up surface dust and stimulating oil glands onto a nice grit-free coat. All this rubbing promotes better blood circulation which aids in the growing and shedding cycles.

After grooming, to keep dirt from adhering in the first place, try adding a little tea tree oil spray (Miracle Coat) to act as a repellent. This spray will also condition the coat and add luster after the rag rubbing.

Another option for this cold weather dry skin is to add a touch of fish oil to his food. Many people have had success with a product called “Grizzly Salmon Oil” visit at http://www.onlynaturalpet.com to add Omega 3 and 6 to his diet. It comes in a convenient pump bottle. For grooming tools and sprays go to www.cherrybrook.com.

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

Republican President George W. Bush may have won re-election but it looks like there may soon be a Democratic operative in the White House. The new arrival – a purebred Scottish Terrier puppy named Miss Beazley – will play a dual role as a birthday present for wife, Laura, and as a new companion for the current first dog, Barney, also a Scottish Terrier.

The American Kennel Club-registered Ch. Motherwell Alberta Clipper, known by his call name as Clinton, fathered the new presidential pet. Clinton, born on Election Day in 2000, is owned by William Berry of Parsippany, NJ.

Barney’s breeder, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, gave Bush the purebred puppy as an election victory gift in 2000. According to reports, Barney was lonely after the death of his lifelong companion Spot, the English Springer Spaniel bred by the President’s mother Barbara Bush. Spot, the son of Millie, famous author of “Millie’s Book,” was born in the White House 15 years ago and died in February.

Scottish Terrier breeder Patricia Gilmore’s dam Blackwatch Elizabeth produced a litter of four boys and one girl. A breeder since 1963, Gilmore said she just happened to have “one little girl at the right time.”

“We are extremely happy having another dog going to the White House,” said Berry. “The President comes with good credentials. I know Barney has free run of the place and they take wonderful care of him. I’m hoping Miss Beazley will also meet some heads of state.”

Gilmore added, “I would love to go down to the White House and tell them how to raise her. Maybe I could be the dog’s maid? I have a degree in picking-up.”

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Club Communications Manager at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.