Thank you. This really helped me understand about why she sheds twice a year. The dandruff thing she ONLY ever gets when shedding, and not other times I've noticed. I'm not certain if it is dander though in her case.....(?) It does seem to be more like dead skin-cells She also is not inclined to lick her fur, except the hair-free parts of her belly, (and dog-bits!) When I rub my hands in her fur for a while, shaking loose hairs and dandruff, my hands come away slightly white, with a slightly waxy film on them. She smells very clean, and seems to keep naturally clean, and because I didn't want to get rid of her natural oils I haven't bathed her for quite a while. She absolutely HATES baths (except in summer when it's very hot) And because she shivers and 'hunches' when chilled, I've put off bathing her (re: no central heating in my house for her to dry off well! and I cannot make her stay by the log fire to dry or go anywhere near a hair-dryer)
I wonder if the dead skin cells, most likely absolutely normal, have kind of mounted up a bit because she's not been bathed?
I should have memtioned that what you are seeing might not even BE dandruff, it might be dander. Dander is entirely different from dandruff, and is the result of the dog's saliva drying on their skin and fur after they lick themselves. In many cases of allergies to pets, it isn't the hair that the person is allergic to at all, it's the dander. Some people who are severely allergic to pets will develop a red streak on their skin if a dog or cat licks them, which is further proof that it's not the hair they're allergic to, but the saliva. The idea that the saliva is dried into the dander form doesn't make it any less irritating to people who are allergic to it. But it could very well be the dander that you are seeing and not really dry, flaky skin at all.
Ghilly
ALL dogs shed twice a year, normally spring and fall. The shedding coinciding with them coming into season is no accident, either. When a female is bred, the puppies, naturally, will need to nurse. Since shedding isn't something that takes place overnight, a few weeks before the puppies, if there were puppies, were to be born, the female sheds so that the puppies have easy access to her nipples. By the time her coat comes back in fully, it's time for her to come into season again, and the pattern continues. If you were to have her spayed, you could knock the shedding down to once a year, though, either spring or fall, but spayed females normally "blow coat" only once a year, as do males. It's only the females who might have to nurse puppies who shed twice a year.
With regard to the dandruff, this also is normal. Unless it is excessive, when they are shedding out the old, dead, hair, there is always some flaky skin that goes along with it. It couldn't hurt to give her a good multivitamin. If you feel the dandruff is becoming severe, your vet can recommend a good anti-dandruff shampoo for dogs. You might also try more frequent brushing to remove the dry skin. Humans "shed" skin, too, it's a natural occurrence. Old skin cells slough off and are replaced by new ones. But unless it is severe, I wouldn't worry about it.
Ghilly