| Solid Charcoal | ||||
| Other names | Lacy Dog Lacy Game Dog Texas Blue Lacy Lacy Hog Dog |
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| Nicknames | Lacy | |||
| Country of origin | United States | |||
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| Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||
The Blue Lacy or Lacy Dog[1] 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.[2] 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".[2]
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Lacy dogs are strong and fast, lightly built but proportional within the height-to-weight ratio. Height at the withers is between 18 to 21 inches (46 to 53 cm). Dependent on height and working condition, weight should be approximately 25 to 45 pounds (11 to 20 kg) for females and 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23 kg) for males, according to the National Lacy Dog Association.[1] The standards listed in the Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 are slightly different: height between 18 to 25 inches (46 to 63 cm), weight between 30 to 50 pounds (14 to 23 kg) but it was not until 2005 that it was official.[2]
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.[1]
The coat should be short, smooth and tight. Excessively long or rough coat is a disqualification. Lacys require minimal grooming.
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.
The Lacy is a working breed and most need a job. Work they excel at includes herding livestock,[3] blood trailing,[4] treeing game, running trap lines,[5] and hunting wild hogs.[6] Modern activities like agility that stress intelligence, passion, speed and nimbleness may be appropriate substitutes for traditional work.[7] 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.[8]
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.[9]
The Lacy dog was named after the Lacy brothers—Frank, George, Ewin, and Harry Lacy—who in 1858 moved from Kentucky to Texas and settled in Burnet County, Texas.[2] The dog, according to the Lacy family, was a mixture of English Shepherd (or perhaps coyote), greyhound, and wolf.[10] Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 also mentions scenthound.[2] The brothers originally developed the dogs' natural herding instincts to work the family's free-roaming hogs.[11]
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.[2]
The blue Lacy was proposed by some in 2008 to replace Reveille VII, a collie, as the mascot dog of Texas A&M.[12] In accordance with tradition since Reveille III, however, a collie was chosen.
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