lab shedding / dandruff?

Question
Hi,
My boyfriend's lab is 1 yr old.  For the past 2 or 3 weeks she has been shedding like crazy, scratching and even appears to have dandruff.  I've ruled out fleas, is this normal or is there a skin condition I don't know of?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Also, I'd like to get a lab of my own so if you know of any reputable breeders in the Phila area, let me know!  Thanks!

Answer
A certain amount of shedding, dandruff, and scratching is normal.  If the dog is getting most of its calories from a dry, commercial dog chow, it should be getting everything it needs to maintain a good coat.  Some dogs may need a table spoon of common cooking oil added to the cheaper chows.  

Brushing helps.  A few minutes daily with a soft bristle brush should help.  In the spring and fall, at the height of shedding, the slicker brushes with the bent wire teeth will keep down the hair to be cleaned up.  Brushing also reduces the need for baths.  In general baths cause more problems than they solve, drying the skin and even causing ear infections.  I seldom bathe my dogs.