We've not had an opportunity to talk our dog, Gromit, to a lake or pool but he loves the water as long as it relates to play. He chases the sprinkler, plays in a kiddie pool if we are with him and goes crazy anytime we use the water hose. On the flip side, he'll hold it forever when it is raining as he hates to go out in the rain and he's really particular about his feet being wet. He does great in the bath though (again except for his feet standing in water) and we are really wanting to take him somewhere warm to get in the water. Our problem is finding lake or pool with warm water as he really hates the cold and that's partially why he won't go out in the rain.

Thanks for the info. We went thorugh when the bumps first appeared and tried to take away anything that had changed recently to make sure wasn't allergic to something new in his enviroment and he's not had any changes in routine since then. At this point, if it is an allergy in the house, it probably is to dust but he hasn't had that same huge breakout in bumps just a few here and there. I'll try some supplements and maybe change shampoos to something that says no soap as saw that on some other posts. He doesn't seem to be bothered much, just a little itchy and the hair might be somewhat more thin but he doesn't have bare spots. It's really hard to be patient though when I just want to know what is causing it! Thanks again!

Hi, I'm not very good at searching through the threads so this might have been discussed before but has anyone been to one of those doggy swim days the local pools have?

I noticed that at the end of the season here in Colorado, a bunch of pools dedicate a day to just dogs and their owners and it looked like fun. Just curious as we've never tried to take ours swimming anywhere before - the lakes and such always seem too cold or dirty and our dog park doesn't have a water feature yet. I'm not too worried about other dogs as ours pretty well just hangs out and plays with us or just watches the other dogs but not sure about swimming itself.

Anyway, it looked very interesting. This was a link I found for one of the ones in Ft Collins I think that has someone tape the excitement. http://one.revver.com/watch/384802

Hi, I've been reading through the posts and while most recommend going to the vet, I thought I would double-check if anyone has had similar experience or feedback as so far I don't feel satified with answers from vets.

Our 1 1/2 yr old Basenji/Italian Greyhound mix got a few pink round bumps on his back in July which went away. Then in August they came back and went from maybe 6 to about 30 of them almost overnight. They were itchy but not extremely so and only along his back and upper side. We took him to the vet and they did a fungal test which came back negative and gave us a oatmeal/medicated shampoo, benadryl and antibiotics and later a treatment of ivermectin. The bumps eventually came to a head and then became little dry patchy circles but his entire back and sides are still extremely dry and flaky. We've been to our vet 3x's and a dermatologist once. He has tested negative for mites but the dermatologist found some bateria infection on his skin and he's been on clavamox for a month now. While the bumps have not come back and he is otherwise completely normal in appetite, activity, personality etc, his skin is still really bad. We are currently on a food allergy trial for the past month as well with an Eukanuba cod and potato blend but I cannot tell any difference. He's never had dry skin before except for in the dead of winter and that was more his legs and inner thigh areas than his back.

I've been told tons of things it could be from house mites allergy to food allergy to just seasonal weather but I just don't know how patient I should be or if I should do more to get answers. Any advice would be appreciated!

Here is our 1yr old baby, Gromit, in his new sweater my sister in law knitted for him.

Not sure I am doing this right - not very message board/forum savvy so we will see! Need to find spell check too!

Hi - I found this site surfing for nutrition information on basenji's and have found a bunch of helpful advice and just confirmation that what our dog does is normal!

We have a 1 year old (tomorrow) Basenji mix (with Italian Greyhound) named Gromit after Wallace & Gromit. He has been a handful but just so entertaining and brings so much to our life. He is currently the only dog we own and the first one we've raised from a puppy.

Anyway, just wanted to say hi and a general thanks.