Height:
18 – 21 inches
Weight:
35 – 50 pounds
Lifespan:
12 – 16 years
Colors:
Blue, grey, cream, multicolored, red, silver
Suitable for:
Farm/livestock work, active families, hiking and outdoor enthusiasts, rural living
Temperament:
Intelligent, active, bold, devoted, hardworking, intense, aware
Created and perfected in the Lone Star state, Blue Lacy dogs are still relatively unknown to most people. These Texan canines were bred for hunting and herding purposes, often praised for their desire and determination to work diligently. While they may not be well known, Blue Lacy dogs are slowly gaining popularity outside of Texas. Between their trainability and work mentality, they’re an excellent breed for active families and individuals that enjoy long days outdoors. Let’s take a closer look at this Texan breed to see what it takes to own one:
Blue Lacy Puppies – Before You Buy…
What’s the Price of Blue Lacy Puppies?
Blue Lacy Puppies are considered purebred dogs by most breeders, regardless of their unrecognized status with most major kennel clubs. On average, Blue Lacy puppies have a price range of around $600 – $1,200. Factors like bloodline, working temperaments, physical characteristics, and location will influence the final price.
Thankfully, there are not a lot of breeders of Blue Lacy puppies, so the breed hasn’t yet faced issues of overbreeding due to popularity demands. On the flip side, that means most breeders will be solely in Texas. Finding a reputable Blue Lacy breeder in Texas will be a breeze but finding one outside of Texas will be difficult.
Adopting is an alternative to purchasing a Blue Lacy, but there might not be any shelters or rescues in your area with purebred Blue Lacy dogs available. If you do manage to find one, the average fees are around $300-$500. These fees cover the expenses before adopting, which also help keep shelters and rescues running.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Blue Lacy Dog
1. The Blue Lacy dog is the official state dog of Texas.
The Blue Lacy dog is the official dog of the state of Texas, officially recognized as such in 2005. This is due to its origins as a Texas-based breed, used for hunting and working purposes. While most Blue Lacy dogs still reside in Texas, their popularity has steadily been increasing in other regions.
2. The Blue Lacy dog is not recognized by the AKC.
While it has an impressive breeding history and it is the official state dog of Texas, the Blue Lacy dog is not actually a registered and recognized breed by the American Kennel Club. This is similar to other Southern-bred dogs like treeing hounds and curs, which most are still yet to be recognized or listed under the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service Program.
3. The Blue Lacy dog was named after the Lacy brothers.
The Blue Lacy dog’s name comes from the Lacy brothers, who were the ones that developed the breed. Their first dog was a supposed mix of an English Sheepdog and greyhound. They began selectively breeding and created a one-of-a-kind dog for ranch work, hunting, and even herding.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Blue Lacy Dog
Blue Lacy dogs are known for their work mentality and trainability, specifically bred for working purposes. Because of this, Blue Lacy dogs are highly intelligent and very active, which can be a challenge for unprepared families. These dogs need structure and routine like other working dogs, especially if they’re not going to be working daily.
Determined and focused, Blue Lacy dogs are relatively easy to train due to their motivation to work hard. If they’re not given an outlet to show off their skills, these dogs become bored and stubborn. Blue Lacy dogs thrive off of busy, active lifestyles that can spend a lot of time outdoors. They can excel in a variety of obedience and sports competitions, which can be a great alternative to a working lifestyle.
Work mentality aside, Blue Lacy dogs are very loyal to their families and require near-constant attention on a daily basis. They’re highly prone to separation anxiety and should never be left alone for more than a couple of hours at most. Because of this, they bond very closely with their families and require a lot of early socialization to prevent people-based aggression or shyness.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Yes, Blue Lacy dogs can be great family dogs, but it depends on the environment and family dynamic. For active families that enjoy spending a lot of time outdoors, Blue Lacy dogs are an excellent addition. They can sometimes forget their own strength, but they’re usually great with children and rarely exhibit aggressive behavior around them. For families that are not home a lot or don’t typically lead active lives, Blue Lacy dogs are going to be a handful and most likely will not be a good fit.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Blue Lacy dogs can be tolerant of other dogs if they’re socialized early, but they do best when raised alongside another dog. Otherwise, some Blue Lacy dogs will not tolerate strange dogs and may become aggressive. They also possess very high prey drives, so small animals and cats will most likely be too tempting even if they’re raised with one another.
Things to Know When Owning a Blue Lacy Dog:
Food & Diet Requirements
Due to their high energy and medium size, Blue Lacy dogs need a diet rich in protein and nutrients to support their daily activity levels. We recommend finding a dry kibble diet fortified for medium or large-sized dogs, with a complete and balanced diet with each meal. Dog food brands like Elite are specialized diets for working and sporting dogs, which can be a great fit for your Blue Lacy dog. For a more customized diet, we also recommend consulting with your veterinarian to make sure your Blue Lacy is getting enough nutrients on a daily basis.
Exercise
Exercising your Blue Lacy dog is not only important but also one of the best ways to prevent destructive behaviors due to boredom. At a minimum, your Blue Lacy will need two hours of cardiovascular exercise, plus a few walks a day (after each meal and one midday walk). However, this is a minimal amount and may not be enough for your Blue Lacy. If you enjoy hiking, your Blue Lacy will make a great hiking companion.
Blue Lacy dogs are thinking dogs and need to have their minds stimulated, which can be a challenge at first. While puzzle toys are a great solution, most high-intellect breeds get bored with them easily. Thinking games like tracking are a great way to build up your Blue Lacy’s confidence while also exercising the mind.
Training
Training your Blue Lacy should start from day one, avoiding any aversive or harsh training methods. These dogs are sensitive and will shut down if they sense frustration, so patience and calmness are key. Positive reinforcement training is a good start, but they also need to learn boundaries at an early age. If this is your first dog or you’ve never owned a working breed, we recommend hiring a professional trainer for guidance.
If your Blue Lacy has a knack for training and obedience, competitive obedience trials can be a great way to bond with your dog. If obedience isn’t your dog’s favorite but they have a reliable recall, sports like dock jumping and agility are alternative outlets. Bonding with your Blue Lacy is crucial to establish yourself as the leader, which can be done through training and exercise.
Blue Lacy dogs need early socialization with people and dogs, which will help prevent aggression and shyness. These dogs tend to get overprotective if they’re not socialized enough, so it’s crucial that they’re frequently socialized beyond the puppy stages. However, some Blue Lacy dogs will remain suspicious of strangers and may not enjoy being social.
Grooming ✂️
Grooming your Blue Lacy dog will be easy due to the shorthaired coat. Brushing out the coat once a week will help reduce some shedding and keep the coat free from debris. Blue Lacy dogs rarely get coat odor, so bathing should only be kept at a bare minimum. Your Blue Lacy will also need to have its nails trimmed on an as-needed basis, which depends on how active it is.
Health Conditions
Blue Lacy dogs are known for being very healthy, sturdy dogs with very few conditions that they’re prone to. However, they still can develop health problems, regardless of breed or bloodline. While most of these conditions are fairly rare, they should not be counted out completely.
- Alopecia
- Skin allergies
- Demodectic mange
- Hip dysplasia
Male vs Female
Male Blue Lacy dogs are generally bigger than females and they’re also noted to be slightly needier than females, but this is mostly speculation. In general, except for a size difference, there are no major differences between males and females. The decision of female or male should be a personal one, decided with all individuals involved.
Final Thoughts
Born and bred from Texas, Blue Lacy dogs are a relatively new breed that is slowly gaining attention. These high-energy working dogs can be a great addition to families in the right environment, but they’re often too much to handle for the average household. Although they may not be social and can become protective, Blue Lacy dogs rarely act on their aggression. If you’re looking for a calm, quiet indoor dog, the Blue Lacy is not the right fit. However, if you’re looking for a high-energy hunting or herding dog with a lot of potential, the Blue Lacy will exceed your expectations.
Featured Image: Jessica Lobsinger, Shutterstock
