Patch of fur missing

My pup (almost 5 months) is missing a patch of fur on his leg. His skin is also dry and flaky- it looks dandruff, when I brush him there are little white flakes everywhere. I know that he's at the age where he may begin shedding his puppy coat (the 'uglies') - but because of the flakiness i'm worried this maybe something else, like a skin problem or maybe even alopecia.

But before I take him to the vet I was wondering if any of you who have gone through the uglies, also saw dry flaky skin on your pups. In short- if dryness and flakiness just part of the uglies?

Asked by Winston Callahan on Dec 8th 2008 Tagged dryskin, shed, fur in Shedding