Blue LacyCharacteristics, history, training and care
Blue Lacy. · CJP125 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Blue Lacy (Lacy Dog) is a working dog created in Texas in the mid-19th century, used for hunting and herding. According to Wikipedia, it has been the official state breed of Texas since 2005, and it describes it as intelligent, intense, active and alert, easy to train and with great drive for work. The breed is not recognised by the FCI or the AKC.
Quick facts
| Common name | Blue Lacy (Lacy Dog) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | United States (Texas) |
| Official recognition | Not recognised by the FCI or AKC; official state breed of Texas since 2005 |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–14 years |
| Size (males) | 43–56 cm at the withers; 16–25 kg |
| Size (females) | 43–56 cm at the withers; 11–20 kg |
| Coat type | Short, smooth and close-lying |
| Common colours | Blue (grey), red, tricolour |
| Energy level | Very high |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Intelligent, intense, active, alert |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | Moderate; young dogs can be too boisterous for small children |
| Good with other animals | Moderate; working instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | Generally healthy |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
According to Wikipedia, the breed appeared in Texas in the mid-19th century and is named after the Lacy brothers (Ewin, Frank, Harry and George), dog breeders from the 1870s. In 2001 the Texas State Senate honoured the Lacy as “a true Texas breed”.
In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed the law making the Blue Lacy “the official state dog breed of Texas”. Most live in Texas, but there are breeders in other states, in Canada and, more recently, in Europe.
How the breed developed
- Mid-19th century – It appears in Texas.
- 2001 – The Texas Senate calls it “a true Texas breed”.
- June 2005 – It becomes the official state breed of Texas.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★★☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Independence | ★★★★☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★★☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★☆☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★★★ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★★★★ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★★☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★★ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★★★☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★★☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed is not recognised by the FCI or the AKC, so the rating is based on its description on Wikipedia.
Physical characteristics
Wikipedia describes it as a strong, fast dog, lightly built but well proportioned, with keen eyes ranging from bright yellow to amber.
General appearance
The coat is short, smooth and close-lying; a coat that is too long or harsh disqualifies it. It sheds, but needs very little grooming.
| Feature | Blue Lacy |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | 43–56 cm |
| Weight | 11–25 kg |
| Coat | Short, smooth |
| Eyes | Yellow to amber |
| Type | Working dog |
According to Wikipedia, three varieties are accepted: blue (any shade of grey, from silver to charcoal), red (from cream to rust) and tricolour (blue base with red markings). White on the chest and feet is allowed, but not too much.
Training and socialisation
Wikipedia describes it as intelligent, intense, active and alert. It was bred both for hunting and for herding, and shows great drive when working with big game and hard-to-handle livestock. It is easy to train and learns quickly.
According to Wikipedia, it does much better when it has a job to do, to burn off its energy.
Tips for effective training
- Give it a job. That is how it burns off energy.
- Be active with it. It has a great deal of energy.
- Use rewards. It learns quickly.
- Supervise small children. Young dogs can be too boisterous.
Activity needs and lifestyle
According to Wikipedia, it excels at herding, tracking wounded game, hog hunting and treeing; agility is a good substitute for traditional work.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Running | daily | Energy |
| Tracking or herding | weekly | Instinct |
| Agility | weekly | A busy mind |
Tips for a balanced life
- Suited to very active owners.
- It needs a garden.
- Give it work every day.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short coat needs very little grooming: brushing once a week is enough.
Common health problems
According to Wikipedia, it is generally healthy, having been bred for generations for farmers and hunters. As with any active dog, things worth watching include:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
| Working injuries | Risks during hunting and herding | Cuts, limping |
Other care
- Check it for injuries after work.
- Check for ticks after outings.
- Go for yearly check-ups.
Diet and nutrition
An active working dog needs good-quality food, matched to its workload.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 kg | 680 kcal | 760 kcal | 170–220 g |
| 18 kg | 980 kcal | 1,100 kcal | 240–310 g |
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 g |
- Adjust the portion to its level of effort.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. Only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance should be used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- The dog of Texas. The official state breed since 2005.
- The Lacy brothers. The breed is named after them.
- “Blue” is grey. From silver to charcoal.
- A hog hunter. And a cattle herder.
- It is reaching Europe. There are new breeders in Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Is it recognised by the FCI?
No.
Why is it called “Blue”?
Because of its blue-grey coat.
Is it easy to train?
Yes; it learns quickly.
Is it suitable for a flat?
No; it needs a lot of exercise and work.
