Lacy
12-16 yrs
25-50 lbs
18-25"
Texas

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Lacy

25-50 lbs

18-25"

Texas

Blue Lacy, Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy, Lacy Hog Dog

The Lacy, more commonly known as the Blue Lacy, is truly an American dog, coming from the heart of Texas. It was developed in the mid-19th century by the Lacy family, to which its name is attributed. They were originally developed to be all-around utility dogs which they take to exceptionally well, and are able to function as hunters, herders, and companions equally well. They are very loyal, forming very tight bonds with their owners and family and show it with both response to command once well-trained and with affection, even if they are only moderately playful. Because of their lineage and historical use as a tireless working breed, they are extremely high energy dogs that need a significant amount of daily exercise to keep from being too rambunctious, so they should only be adopted by very active families who either provide work to do or a proper area in which they can burn off their excessive energy stores. Surprisingly enough, even after being developed in Texas, they have a relatively high tolerance for extreme weather, being able to withstand both the high heat of Texas summers yet also the cold reaches of desert winters. Even with the necessity for an experienced owner, their high energy drives, and only moderately good behavior with other dogs or animals, they are undoubtedly well-loved and were even named the Texas State Breed in 2005.

                
                Purpose
              
Hunting, Herding, Companion

                Date of Origin
              
Mid-19th Century

                Ancestry
              
English Shepherd, Greyhound, Wolf

Lacy Health

Average Size

Height: 18-25 inches Weight: 25-50 lbs

Major Concerns

Hip And Elbow Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

Skin Problems

Occasional Diagnoses

Hypothyroidism
Allergies
Color Dilution Alopecia

Occasional Tests

X-Rays
Physical Examination
Allergy Tests
Blood Panel

Lacy Breed History

This breed was entirely developed by the Lacy family from whom the dog is named after. Originally from Kentucky, the Lacy family up and moved to Burnet County, Texas, smack dab in the middle of the state, in 1858. Exactly what dogs were used to develop the breed and when is still up for debate. Most seem to agree on the idea that the breed likely stemmed from a combination of English Shepherd, some type of Greyhound, native scent hounds and either wolf or coyote, creating a dog that had the exceptional endurance of wild dogs and herding types, the speed and sleek build of the Greyhound, the inherent herding mentality of the Shepherd, and a temperament that fell somewhere in between. Whatever was actually used seemed to be standardized quickly, as the resulting offspring were surprisingly consistent, many sharing the breed's characteristic features including its red or blue and gray coloring, drive to work, toughness, intelligence and good overall health. Because of their exceptionally wide skill set and good temperaments, they quickly became popular with ranchers and hunters, able to take on whatever work was thrown at them and doing so with zeal, even expanding into treeing, tracking, and companionship. Even when new technology undermined the need for this type of working breed, the Lacy still flourished as both a utility dog and companion throughout Texas and nearby regions. In the 1970s, the breed was first recognized by the Animal Research Foundation, the same group who first recognized the American Bulldog, and in 1976, the first pedigreed Lacy was officially registered. Despite repeated efforts to gain recognition by larger, wider organizations such as the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, this breed has yet to reach that status, although it was named the Official Dog Breed of Texas in 2005 and has been recognized by smaller, specialized organizations who seek to regulate and maintain the breed as a whole.

Lacy Breed Appearance

The Lacy is a medium-sized dog, standing 18 to 25 inches at the withers and weighing between 25 and 50 pounds with a sleek, smooth, clean and athletic build. Their heads are flat, if not slightly domed with a moderate stop and a tapering muzzle capped with a black, gray, tan or isabella colored nose. Their eyes are almond-shaped and set slightly obliquely, coming in a small range of orange, yellow or amber colors. Their ears are medium-set, folded and moderately sized in both width and length with a somewhat triangular taper. Their necks are only medium in length but are muscular, elegant and sleek, descending into their well-laid-back and similarly muscular shoulders and straight topline. Their forelegs are straight and sturdy yet somewhat trim, being held close to the chest which displays well-sprung ribs that reach down to the elbows and descend into a moderately tucked belly. Their hind legs show muscular thighs, good angulation from the side, and a parallel stance from behind. Their tails are relatively thick and tapering and are carried mostly straight. Their coats are short yet dense and glossy, coming in several different colors from solid blue or gray to reddish, cream, and tricolor, most showing hints of white on their chest and feet.

Eye Color Possibilities

Amber

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Isabella

Coat Color Possibilities

White

Cream

Red

Gray

Blue

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Lacy Breed Maintenance

Lacys are considered very low maintenance dogs as they were bred to be. Their short coats need brushing only around once a week unless in a higher shredding season and otherwise stay remarkably clean thanks to their trim length. Because of it, bathing is also rarely a necessity more than once every other month or so unless they get into something particularly offensive smelling or dirty. Their folded ears are likely the most important area of concern, as they tend to collect excess moisture that can cause ear infections, but if they are kept anywhere near their region of origin or somewhere with a similar climate that boasts consistently low humidity, this is rarely an issue, especially if checked and tended to with regularity. Otherwise, they are pretty simple to maintain, as their nails just need to be checked and trimmed regularly and their teeth brushed once a week to help keep their teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Brushes for Lacy

Slicker Brush

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Lacy Temperament

Lacys are often described as intense and for good reason. While working, they are extremely focused and dedicated, doing whatever it takes to complete their task. While in the home, although they are generally relaxed, they are quite affectionate and can sometimes be a bit careless with their excess energy, which they can expel without really realizing it. They are truly a loyal breed and will be even more so with early and thorough training. It won't be an easy task, as although they are an intelligent breed, they are also strong-willed and a bit stubborn and independent, so they require a firm, consistent and experienced hand to get the best out of them. But they also need an owner with a high amount of overall awareness and patience, as Lacys generally do not respond well to anger or punishment and do much better with positive reinforcement, lest the owner wants to deal with an emotionally disheartened dog, which can make training frustratingly inefficient. When they are eventually trained, they are quite responsive but many owners claim that they undoubtedly need a job to do or can be troublesome. They have a high need for both physical and mental stimulation, so without a job, they will need to be active with open space to run and preferably with something to do, such as learning agility skills. Without attention and exercise, they tend to develop separation anxiety and become easily frustrated and therefore destructive. Although they aren't pack hunters, they do relatively well with other dogs but will likely try to position themselves within the hierarchy whether other dogs care to or not, which can occasionally lead to small spats of aggression, even though it is not regular or inherent to their personalities overall. They are generally patient and do moderately well with children, but because of their high energy and rambunctious behavior, they can be a problem around smaller children who may be knocked over without much care or notice. Because of their relatively high prey drives, they will need to be socialized early on if they are to be housed with other smaller pets, and otherwise could develop chasing issues if not worse. Overall, they are a loyal, affectionate and exceptionally hard-working breed that can be a fantastic dog all-around as long as their criteria for exercise, attention, training and socialization are properly met.

Lacy Activity Requirements

Lacys are considered extremely high energy dogs that need a significant amount of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. They rank towards the top of all breeds due to their high amount of muscle and their historic endurance that allows them to be tireless workers. Because of it, it is a necessity for them to be placed with an active family that has the ability to get them out for a run or walk, or a romp in the dog park every single day. If they are given jobs to do, they will generally do a good job tiring themselves out in some capacity, but many owners recommend putting them through agility and skills training or something similar that will stimulate and exhaust them both physically and mentally. It is safe to say they need at least 80 minutes of exercise a day, or ideally until they are notably tired.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
18 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
80 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Lacy

Similarly Sized Breeds to Lacy

Lacy Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00

Lacy Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 27.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 15.5 inches
                  Weight: 27.0 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 18.5 inches
                  Weight: 32.0 lbs
                
                  Height: 18.5 inches
                  Weight: 32.0 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 21.5 inches
                  Weight: 37.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 21.5 inches
                  Weight: 37.5 lbs

Written by a Puggle lover Jonathan Powell

Published: 03/21/2018, edited: 08/18/2021

Lacy Owner Experiences

Zeus

7 Years

2 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

He is very protective, wonderful family dog; very gentle with children. We are building a home and he loves to be outside helping.

3 years, 9 months ago

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