Blue Lacy
Encyclopedia
The Blue Lacy or Lacy Dog is a breed
of working dog
that originated in Texas
in the mid-19th century, the only dog breed to have originated in that state. The Lacy was first recognized in 2001 by the Texas Senate
. In Senate Resolution No. 436, the 77th Legislature honored the Lacy as "a true Texas breed". In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry
signed the legislation adopting the blue Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas".
is between 18 to 21 in (45.7 to 53.3 cm). Dependent on height and working condition, weight should be approximately 25 to 45 lb (11.3 to 20.4 kg) for females and 35 to 50 lb (15.9 to 22.7 kg) for males, according to the National Lacy Dog Association. The standards listed in the Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 are slightly different: height between 18 to 25 in (45.7 to 63.5 cm), weight between 30 to 50 lb (13.6 to 22.7 kg) but it was not until 2005 that it was official.
, blood trailing, treeing game, running trap lines, and hunting wild hogs.
Modern activities like agility
that stress intelligence, passion, speed and nimbleness may be appropriate substitutes for traditional work. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Lacys exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in stock dog trials.
to Texas and settled in Burnet County, Texas
. The dog, according to the Lacy family, was a mixture of English Shepherd
(or perhaps coyote
), greyhound
, and wolf. Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 also mentions scenthound. The brothers originally developed the dogs' natural herding instincts to work the family's free-roaming hogs.
On March 15, 2005, in the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, Representative Joaquin Castro
filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 108, proposing the blue Lacy as state dog of Texas. This legislation was proposed to recognize the original breeders and their contribution to the State of Texas as well as to honor the Lacy as a Texas original. House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives
on May 15, 2005, and by the Senate ten days later on May 25, 2005. Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation adopting the Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas" on June 18, 2005.
The blue Lacy was proposed by some in 2008 to replace Reveille
VII, a collie
, as the mascot dog of Texas A&M
. In accordance with tradition since Reveille III, however, a collie was chosen.
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
of working dog
Working dog
A working dog refers to a canine working animal, i.e., a type of dog that is not merely a pet but learns and performs tasks to assist and/or entertain its human companions, or a breed of such origin...
that originated in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the mid-19th century, the only dog breed to have originated in that state. The Lacy was first recognized in 2001 by the Texas Senate
Texas Senate
The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the...
. In Senate Resolution No. 436, the 77th Legislature honored the Lacy as "a true Texas breed". In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry
Rick Perry
James Richard "Rick" Perry is the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. Perry was elected to full...
signed the legislation adopting the blue Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas".
Appearance
Lacy dogs are strong and fast, lightly built but proportional within the height-to-weight ratio. Height at the withersWithers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
is between 18 to 21 in (45.7 to 53.3 cm). Dependent on height and working condition, weight should be approximately 25 to 45 lb (11.3 to 20.4 kg) for females and 35 to 50 lb (15.9 to 22.7 kg) for males, according to the National Lacy Dog Association. The standards listed in the Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 are slightly different: height between 18 to 25 in (45.7 to 63.5 cm), weight between 30 to 50 lb (13.6 to 22.7 kg) but it was not until 2005 that it was official.
Color
Though they are often called blue Lacys, there are three permissible color varieties. Blues are any shade of gray from light silver to dark charcoal. Reds range from light cream to rust. The tri combines these colors with a blue base and distinct red markings as appropriate for trim. Tricolored Lacys are also referred to as "Pumpkins". Blue shading or trim on red dogs is permitted. White should appear on the brisket and may stretch from chin to groin. White should also be present on one or more paws. Excessive white is discouraged and markings on the face or above mid-line are a disqualifying fault. Their eyes are sharp and alert, ranging in color from bright yellow to rich brown.Coat
The coat should be short, smooth and tight. Excessively long or rough coat is a disqualification. Lacys require minimal grooming.Temperament
Lacys are intelligent, intense, active, and alert. Developed to be both hunting and herding dogs, they display great drive and determination to work with big game and control difficult livestock. Lacys are naturally protective and may be wary of strangers. Young dogs may have too much energy and drive for small children. They are easy to train, learning new skills quickly.Activities
The Lacy is a working breed and most need a job. Work they excel at includes herding livestockHerding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
, blood trailing, treeing game, running trap lines, and hunting wild hogs.
Boar hunting
Boar hunting is generally the practice of hunting wild boars, but can also extend to feral pigs and peccaries. A full-sized boar is a large animal armed with sharp tusks which it uses to defend itself. Boar hunting has often been a test of bravery....
Modern activities like agility
Dog agility
Dog agility is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. Dogs run off-leash with no food or toys as incentives, and the handler can touch neither dog nor obstacles...
that stress intelligence, passion, speed and nimbleness may be appropriate substitutes for traditional work. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Lacys exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in stock dog trials.
Health
Blue Lacys are very healthy dogs. Developed for generations to meet the standards of professional Texas ranchers and hunters, they are sturdy enough to withstand tough terrain and difficult working conditions. However skin problems and food allergies can occur. Color dilution alopecia is very rare but has occurred in Lacys.History
The Lacy dog was named after the Lacy brothers—Frank, George, Ewin, and Harry Lacy—who in 1858 moved from KentuckyKentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
to Texas and settled in Burnet County, Texas
Burnet County, Texas
Burnet County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 34,147. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate was 44,488. Its county seat is Burnet. Burnet is named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas...
. The dog, according to the Lacy family, was a mixture of English Shepherd
English Shepherd
The English Shepherd is an extremely versatile breed of working dog of the collie lineage, developed in the United States from farm dogs brought by English and Scottish settlers to early America. The English Shepherd is a highly intelligent, practical all-around farm dog, being used as a herding...
(or perhaps coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
), greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
, and wolf. Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 also mentions scenthound. The brothers originally developed the dogs' natural herding instincts to work the family's free-roaming hogs.
On March 15, 2005, in the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, Representative Joaquin Castro
Joaquín Castro
Joaquín Castro is an American politician from San Antonio, Texas. Castro is a representative in the Texas Legislature representing District 125. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Committee and is a member of the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee...
filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 108, proposing the blue Lacy as state dog of Texas. This legislation was proposed to recognize the original breeders and their contribution to the State of Texas as well as to honor the Lacy as a Texas original. House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
on May 15, 2005, and by the Senate ten days later on May 25, 2005. Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation adopting the Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas" on June 18, 2005.
The blue Lacy was proposed by some in 2008 to replace Reveille
Reveille (Texas A&M)
Reveille is the official mascot of Texas A&M University. Students adopted the first Reveille, a mixed-breed dog, in 1931. To thank Texas A&M for its assistance during World War II, the US Army designated Reveille a Cadet General , the highest ranking member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets.Eight...
VII, a collie
Collie
The collie is a distinctive type of herding dog, including many related landraces and formal breeds. It originates in Scotland and Northern England. It is a medium-sized, fairly lightly built dog with a pointed snout, and many types have a distinctive white pattern over the shoulders. Collies...
, as the mascot dog of Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
. In accordance with tradition since Reveille III, however, a collie was chosen.