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A TEXASO ORIGINAL TheBlueLacy
----------------------------------------------------------By: NEALIE SANCHEZ Editor In Chief ----------------------------------------------------------Thirteen U.S. states have nam ed a state dog, and Texas has nam ed the Blue Lacy. Brothers Frank, George, Edwin and Harry Lacy developed the Blue Lacy breed in the m id-1800s in Texas? Burnet County for the purpose of herding the cattle and hogs bred on their ranch. An act of necessity for these brothers in the 19th century led to years of history for this iconic working dog breed. The House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 states ?[...] like the Texas longhorn, the Blue Lacy is a Texas original [...]? and, with a final signature from Gov. Rick Perry on June 18, 2005, this docum ent proclaim ed the adoption of the Blue Lacy as the official State Dog Breed of Texas. Blue Lacys were used on Southwest ranches for around 100 years. According to 79(R) HCR 108, Blue Lacys have been said to be able to ?do the work of five cowboys? as they are ?energetic, fast, eager to work and easy to train and handle.? The hardworking breed was a staple on m ost ranches and farm s herding large and sm all anim als until working dogs becam e less com m onplace am ong ranches as tim e passed. The breed, better suited for working situations, nearly disappeared with this shift am ong ranchers spurring a m ovem ent to save the Blue Lacy in 1975. BREED CHARACTERISTICS Blue Lacys are said to be a m ix of Greyhound, Scent-Hound and Coyote Stock. The breed is officially
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Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. recognized by the National Kennel Club, Continental Kennel Club, Universal Kennel International, Lacy Gam e Dog Registry, Texas Lacy Gam e Dog Association and Am erican Pet Registry, Inc. Fully grown Blue Lacys are 18-25 inches tall, weigh 30-50 pounds and are characterized by a sleek gray, red or tri-color coat. (However, the Blue Lacy can also have white chest or paw m arkings.) Regardless of their color, Blue Lacys all share a natural herding instinct and high intelligence, m aking them easy to train. The Blue Lacy?s working dog trait m akes it easy for these dogs to work everything from chickens to Texas Longhorn cattle, according to State Sym bols USA. Because of this, Lacys need to live on land with room to run and thrive in challenging roles on the ranch.
