Blue Lacy Dog

The Blue Lacy Dog is the official dog breed of Texas by the state’s legislature.

As a Texas native, it’s no surprise that the Blue Lacy is most popular in this southern US state. While the breed, which is also known as the Lacy Dog, isn’t currently recognized by major kennel clubs, it has been accepted as the official dog breed of Texas by the state’s legislature. Despite their reputation as athletic working animals, they are also typically family-friendly and are a good fit for households with children. They respond well to verbal commands and have been used to manage animals on farms and ranches since their introduction in the mid-1800s.

Despite their low international profile, the Blue Lacy breed has slowly been spreading outside its native state due to their friendly, obedient and energetic nature. Their short, and often uniquely-colored, hair lends them an interesting aesthetic with relatively little maintenance required.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Blue Lacy Dog

Pros!	Cons!
Easy to Train Lacy Dogs were bred to herd, drove and hunt, so they are very receptive to training and interaction with humans. They are typically obedient and responsive by nature, so owners rarely struggle to instill basic commands and desirable behaviors.	Craves Exercise As a dedicated working dog, owners should fully expect to provide ample exercise to their Blue Lacy. These animals can spend hours upon hours running around and assisting in physically-demanding outdoor activities, so they need opportunities to get their energy out.
Observant and Intelligent The breed is also known for its observation and intelligence, which are both necessary for the complex activities it was bred for. This means owners don’t need to worry so much about their pet running out into the road or making other silly blunders, although it’s still a good idea to keep your eye on your canine whenever possible.	Prefers Open Space As you may expect, their high energy level and desire for participation in activity means they are better suited for open spaces. Small yards with little open space or opportunity for ranging isn’t ideal for the breed.
Sleek and Clean Coat Another big advantage of this breed is low-maintenance coat. Their short, sleek hair requires minimal brushing or grooming compared to many of the other dog breeds out there. They also have good personal hygiene habits.	Sensitive to Scolding Lacy Dogs are very owner-oriented, which means they can be overly sensitive to verbal scolding. Soft and stern commands are preferred. Yelling can be demoralizing and frightening for the animals, even if it isn’t directed at them.

Blue Lacy Dog Size and Weight

Lacy Dogs have balanced and athletic frames, so their weight is ideally distributed into muscle with little fat. Their target adult weight ranges between 25 and 50 pounds, with a typical height of 18 to 24 inches.

	Male	Female
Height	22’ Tall	20’ Tall
Weight	45lbs, fully grown	35lbs, fully grown

Blue Lacy Dog Common Health Issues

Compared to many other modern breeds, the Blue Lacy is remarkably healthy and does not have any major health issues associated with its heritage. As a working breed with a stable genetic pool, emerging health issues are typically discovered quickly and aren’t passed down into future generations. The breed’s hardy reputation does not guarantee freedom from medical issues and there are a few common issues that owners may face.

The distinct blue color of the coat of some Lacy Dogs is associated with some types of skin problems, including demodex mange, allergies and other causes of patchy hair loss. It’s also important to note that sensitivity to anesthesia is a recognized and serious problem in Blue Lacy Dogs. Skeletal and vision issues can also emerge in these dogs, although they are relatively rare.

Health and Entertainment for your Blue Lacy Dog

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Blue Lacy Dog Temperament

Lacy Dogs have a strong personality that is characterized by a strong motivation to perform, participate and please their owners. Their ability to be quickly trained is one of their hallmark traits that earns them a reputation as fantastic working animals. They also exemplify loyalty, diligence and alert behavior, so they are desired as watch dogs for property or family protection.

Despite their energetic and ambitious personality, the Blue Lacy can also be unusually sensitive to discipline. This temperament means that they tend to react poorly to yelling and other forms of social or physical punishment that other dogs would shrug off. While the breed is relatively calm and suited towards people, they aren’t known for being particularly friendly to strange people or animals in the home.

How To Take Care of a Blue Lacy Dog

Maintaining activity is the biggest consideration for owners, since the breed is very exercise and work-oriented compared to most pets. If herding animals or chasing game isn’t an option, it’s a good idea to provide ample opportunities for outdoor excursions that test endurance and agility. Puppies should receive plenty of encouragement, socialization and training as soon as they enter the household.

Blue Lacy Dog Food and Diet

Blue Lacy Dogs don’t have any particular or pressing dietary requirements. Managing food intake and nutrition is best done with the assistance of a veterinary professional, especially if owners prefer to give their pet homemade meals.

Blue Lacy puppy food: Lacy Dog puppies wean onto wet and solid food at about the same rate as other breeds. Balanced nutrition with portions according to weight and age are find. Natural, vet-approved supplements that encourage bone strength can be an asset for animals that are destined as assistants in herding or game pursuits.

Blue Lacy adult dog food: Feeding an adult Lacy dog can be a bit more of a challenge due to their high activity levels. Adults should always have access to clean water at all times, especially when they spend a lot of time outdoors performing high-energy exercise. Their food intake should also reflect exercise levels, with balanced nutrition, protein, and enough calories to maintain their activities.

Blue Lacy Dog Maintenance And Grooming

These dogs have a short, smooth and sleek coat that is very easy to maintain. Grooming requirements are minimal, so owners should only expect to do weekly brushing and occasional bathing as needed. While they do go through seasonal shedding cycles, their short fur and lack of undercoat means it isn’t a huge hassle.

Blue Lacy Dog Training

Ease of training is a hallmark characteristic of Lacy Dogs and is something every owner should focus on, even if they aren’t using them for game, herding or other work activities. These dogs respond very well to verbal commands given with a stern and soft voice. Harsh words, loud commands and other types of negative reinforcement are not recommended since they can be very discouraging to these dogs.

Blue Lacy Dog Exercise

Their limber frame, athletic build and short fur make the Blue Lacy an ideal pick of outdoor activity in warmer climates. Complex, demanding and prolonged exercise sessions are ideal, since the breed was originally meant for day-long work activities. Running, chasing and fetching are all important components of a fitness regime. They are great companion dogs for sportsman, ranchers and farmers.

Blue Lacy Dog Puppies

Blue Lacy Dogs don’t have any special health concerns as puppies. Owners should take care to socialize them early and often to prepare them for life alongside children or other pets. Socializing around other dogs can be particularly important since the breed can struggle to adapt to unfamiliar animals as adults.

Blue Lacy Dogs And Children

Despite their reputation as fantastic family dogs, the Blue Lacy does need some special attention when it comes to young kids. They are very energetic and are used to structure, so they may not understand how to react to children unless trained. They are usually loyal and protective of their family though.

Dogs similar to a Blue Lacy Dog

• German Shepherd – German Shepherds share many key characteristics with the Blue Lacy. Both breeds are smart, active, and ideal for working alongside humans. They also share a hesitancy to trust strangers and are fiercely loyal to their owners.
• Australian Cattle Dog – Cattle dogs find their origins as a working dog much like the Lacy. Both are adapted to working environments where they have an active and participatory role in the day’s work.
• English Shepherd – These dogs hailing from the British Isles are another working breed with a similar size and temperament to the Blue Lacy. They are smart and can be trained quickly, but are a bit more assertive and confident around people than Lacy Dogs. They make great companion animals and are also a bit more tolerant of cold weather.

Popular Names for Blue Lacy Dogs

• Chloe
• Sophie
• Bella
• Magnum
• Bismark
• Saturn
• Sergeant

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