Blue Lacy Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Blue Lacy?

Although born and bred in Texas, Blue Lacys aren't an invention of Texans. This working pup was actually bred by 4 brothers from Kentucky. The Lacy brothers - Young Ewin "Ewin", John Hiram "Harry," Francis Marion "Frank", and George Lacy - had just acquired a large plot of land in Burnet County, and needed a canine to tend to their livestock.

Given the scale of their land, the Texas heat, as well as the range of animals they were farming, the Lacy brothers needed a special kind of farm dog. So, in the mid-1800s, the brothers started to breed greyhounds with coyotes, English Shepherds, and wolves.

The resulting Blue Lacy breed was trained and used to herd cattle, wild hogs, and chickens. The Lacys also used the dog for hunting, especially for wild boar and hogs, for which they were nicknamed the Lacy Hog Dog.

The Lacy Dog displayed a fiercely hardworking personality and quickly became the top dog choice for most ranches in Texas and beyond. Its popularity continued to rise until the mid-20th century when ranch numbers started to dwindle.

Since the mid-70s, there has been an active effort to maintain the breed in Texas, as many more families took on a Lacy dog as a house pet. It was named the official state dog breed of Texas in 2005.

Who are Blue Lacy dogs best for?

Blue Lacys are best for lovers of nature - those who love going out and exploring big, expansive fields and valleys; those who can provide enough time in their day to take a Blue Lacy out for its exercise requirements. They need to be walked for at least 1 hour per day, and within that time be given agility training and scent work to complete.

If they are not given adequate time to explore and carry out some form of work, Blue Lacys cannot thrive. For this reason, Blue Lacys would be best for young, active types.

Besides going out for walks, Blue Lacys also need plenty of space at home to stretch their legs. They are unsuitable for apartments and homes with small gardens.

Blue Lacys can play rough at times, which is ok for bigger kids but could be dangerous for smaller children. They are also unsuitable for families with other pets, as they can be very aggressive, pushy, and in rare cases violent with both other dogs as well as cats.

How much grooming does a Blue Lacy need?

Blue Lacys are incredibly easy to groom, given their short, thin coat. Combing is only required roughly once a week to remove the build-up of dead hairs. Like all dog breeds, you also need to make time to clean inside their ears, nails, and teeth. It's important to keep an eye on their nail length and trim them whenever necessary.

Do Blue Lacy bark much?

Having been trained to bark at other animals, you can expect a Blue Lacy to bark almost uncontrollably at other pets and strangers that they see, either while out walking or when looking out the window. This barking can be controlled easily, as long as owners are firm with them in laying down the rules.

However, once they get going, it can be extremely difficult to get them to stop. As long as another animal is in their view, a Blue Lacy will want to assert its dominance, being naturally territorial.

Do Blue Lacy bite?

Unless provoked, a Blue Lacy is unlikely to bite someone. They weren't trained to bite other animals on the ranch, only heard them, so biting isn't a part of their nature.

What is the temperament & personality of a Blue Lacy?

Despite their tough dog exterior, deep down, Blue Lacys are an extremely sensitive breed group. They hate displeasing their owners and are known to not respond well to feeling like they're in trouble.

Blue Lacy dogs have a great temperament and personality as long as they are getting sufficient exercise. If they find themselves locked away in a contained space for any period, they'll likely let you know that they hate it through destructive behaviour. This behaviour could be in the form of tearing up possessions and scratching furniture.

Even when given sufficient space and taken for enough walks, Blue Lacys don't have an off switch and are always high-energy and bouncy. This may be tiresome for those who cannot match this intense energy level, or who would rather have a dog who would act laid-back once in a while.

Having watchdog tendencies, they will often be on the lookout for intruders - or just anyone innocently attempting to approach the house. This will generally get them barking loudly at them.

What is the weight & size of a Blue Lacy?

A Blur Lacy has a muscular, tall build, which gives them a weight somewhere between 13 and 24 kg. This build also gives them a height of between 45 and 58 cm.

How much training does a Blue Lacy need?

Blue Lacy training needs to start from day 1 - if you don't train them on the rules of the house, they will make up their own rules! Plus, the easier you train them, the more likely they are to take it in. Set clear boundaries where they can and can't enter, and what they can and can't sit on, through positive reinforcement.

They love being trained on how to complete tasks, such as searching, patrolling, and agility training. If possible, it would also be great to sign them up for puppy nursery sessions. This will train them to have healthy sociability and prevents them from being overly passive-aggressive with other animals in the future.

Training a Blue Lacy can be difficult as they do not respond well to reprimands. To successfully train a Blue Lacy, it's vital to get the balance right between telling them off for doing something wrong, without coming across as being too mean - this is a tricky thing to get right.

Coming across as being angry may encourage them to continue doing wrong or elicit an even worse response in them. It's vital to show them every bit of positivity you can, so whenever they do something correct be sure to give them a treat or a hearty pat.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Blue Lacy?

Some Blue Lacy Dogs are at risk of developing elbow and hip dysplasia. They may also suffer from skin problems and food allergies.

What is the lifespan of a Blue Lacy?

The average life span of a Blue Lacy is between 12 and 16 years. If kept mentally stimulated through work and given plenty of opportunities to exercise, a Lacy dog could potentially exceed this range.

How much should you feed a Blue Lacy?

Being a mighty powerful dog, Blue Lacys need plenty of food throughout the day. You should prepare between 220 and 460 grams of food for a Blue Lacy per day, depending on their body weight. This should be split up throughout several meals throughout the day to ensure your Blue Lacy is getting a steady flow of energy and nutrients.

Generally, the best food to feed a Blue Lacy is dry kibble with beef, turkey, or chicken. However, a small amount of Blue Lacys suffer from a protein allergy, so be wary of this.

What is the price of a Blue Lacy in Australia?

A Blue Lacy will cost around $1,500 in Australia, although you may find this dog breed difficult to find.