Blue Lacy

Last updated
Blue Lacy
BlueLacyInBluebonnets.jpg
Blue Lacy in bluebonnets
Other namesLacy Dog
Lacy Game Dog
Texas Blue Lacy
Lacy Hog Dog
Lacy Cur
Origin United States
Breed statusNot recognized as a breed by any major kennel club.
Traits
Height 46 to 53 cm (18 to 21 in)
Weight Males 16 to 23 kg (35 to 50 lb)
Females 11 to 20 kg (25 to 45 lb)
Coat smooth
Color blue, red, tricolored
NotesState dog of Texas
Dog ( domestic dog )

The Lacy Dog or Blue Lacy Dog [1] is a breed of working dog that originated in the U.S. state of Texas in the mid-19th century. [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." [3] In 2005, in House Concurrent Resolution No. 108, the 79th Legislature called the Lacy "a Texas original; the only dog breed to have originated in this state." [4] In June 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation adopting the Blue Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas". [5] As expected, the vast majority of Lacy dogs are found in Texas. However, as the breed becomes more recognized, breeding populations are being established across the United States, Canada, and most recently in Europe.

Contents

Description

Appearance

Lacy dogs are strong and fast, lightly built but proportional within the height-to-weight ratio. Height at the withers is from 43 to 56 cm (17 to 22 in). Dependent on height and general conditioning, weight should be approximately 11 to 20 kg (25 to 45 lb) for females and 16 to 25 kg (35 to 55 lb) for males. [1] The standards listed in the Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 are slightly different—height between 46 and 64 cm (18 and 25 in) and weight between 14 and 23 kg (30 and 50 lb)—but it was not until 2005 that it was officially recognized as the state dog.

Color

Though they are often called "blue" Lacys, there are three permissible color varieties of the Lacy. "Blues" are any shade of gray from light silver to dark charcoal. "Reds" range from light cream to rust. The "Tri" combines a blue base with distinct red markings as appropriate for trim, and white which may appear on the brisket and stretch from chin to groin. White may 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 amber.

Coat

The coat should be short, smooth and tight. An excessively long or rough coat is a disqualification. Lacys shed, but require minimal grooming.

Temperament

Blue and Tan Lacy Blue Lacy 2.jpg
Blue and Tan Lacy

Blue Lacy Dogs 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. 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 does much better when given a job, which allows them to burn off excessive energy. Work they excel at includes herding livestock, [6] blood trailing or tracking, [7] treeing game, running trap lines, [8] and hunting wild hogs. [9] Modern activities like agility that stress intelligence, passion, speed and nimbleness may be appropriate substitutes for traditional work. [10] Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Lacys generally exhibit herding instincts and can be trained to compete in stock dog trials or hog bays. [11] During recent years, Lacy dogs have also become recognized for their tracking skills, and are used to locate "lost" game animals. They are also used by United States trappers for save and chasing operations.

Health

Lacys are generally healthy dogs. Developed for generations to meet the requirements of ranchers and hunters, they are sturdy enough to withstand tough terrain, difficult working conditions, and both hot and cold weather by Texan standards. However, skin problems and food allergies can occur. Color dilution alopecia is very rare but has occurred in Lacys. [12]

The Lacy Brothers in the 1870s (left to right) - Ewin Lacy, Francis Marion (Frank) Lacy, John Hiram (Harry) Lacy and George Washington Lacy, Jr. The Lacy Brothers.jpg
The Lacy Brothers in the 1870s (left to right) - Ewin Lacy, Francis Marion (Frank) Lacy, John Hiram (Harry) Lacy and George Washington Lacy, Jr.

History

Red Lacy puppy Blue Lacy 3.jpg
Red Lacy puppy

The Lacy dog was named after the Lacy brothers (Young Ewin "Ewin", Francis Marion "Frank", John Hiram "Harry," and George Lacy) who created the breed for work on their ranch, the Lacy Lans Ranch (as of 2022, a portion of the original ranch is still owned by descendants of the Lacy family but is now called the Shifflett Ranch). [13] The Lacy family had moved from Kentucky to Texas in 1858, settling in Burnet County, Texas. [2] The Blue Lacy dog was allegedly a mixture of Greyhound, an unnamed scent hound, and either coyote or gray wolf. Historical and geographical evidence points to the July Hound as the possible scent hound genetic factor, but there is no official documentation asserting this claim. They were bred to handle multiple tasks on the ranch, but especially the herding of free-range hogs (leading to the affectionate local sobriquet "Lacy hog dogs"). [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 also mentions that scenthound may have been included in the breed's mix. [2] The Lacy family who bred the Blue Lacy dog was the same family who donated the red (also known as pink) granite from their quarry on Granite Mountain (which was then located on the Lacy Lans Ranch and owned by the Lacy brother George, along with his business partners William H. Westfall and Nimrod L. Norton) [21] to build the Texas State Capitol building in Austin, Texas. [22]

On March 15, 2005, in the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas, Representative Joaquin Castro, [23] at the request of the Texas Lacy Game Dog Association, [24] filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 108, [4] proposing the blue Lacy as the State Dog of Texas. [4] [25] This legislation was proposed to recognize the original breeders, the Lacy family, and their contribution to the State of Texas as well as to honor the Lacy Dog as a Texas original. House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 [4] was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 15, 2005, and by the Senate ten days later on May 25, 2005. [3] Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation adopting the Lacy as "the official State Dog Breed of Texas" on June 18, 2005. [3]

The Lacy was proposed by some in 2008 to replace Reveille VII, a collie, as the mascot dog of Texas A&M. [26] In accordance with tradition since Reveille III, however, a collie was chosen.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dachshund</span> Dog breed

The dachshund, also known as the wiener dog or sausage dog, badger dog and doxie, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. The dog may be smooth-haired, wire-haired, or long-haired. Coloration varies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Kelpie</span> Dog breed

The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">German Shepherd</span> German breed of shepherd dog

The German Shepherd, also known in Britain as an Alsatian, is a German breed of working dog of medium to large size. The breed was developed by Max von Stephanitz using various traditional German herding dogs from 1899.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Kennel Club</span> American purebreed dog registry

The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official forming of the AKC, the National Dog Show and the AKC National Championship. The AKC is a non-member partner with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale. The AKC recognizes 200 dog breeds, as of 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Collie</span> Working dog breed

The Border Collie is a British breed of herding dog of the collie type of medium size. It originates in the region of the Anglo-Scottish border, and descends from the traditional sheepdogs once found all over the British Isles. It is kept mostly as a working sheep-herding dog or as a companion animal. It competes with success in sheepdog trials. It has been claimed that it is the most intelligent breed of dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Catahoula Leopard Dog</span> American breed of dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. It became the state dog of Louisiana in 1979. It is recognized by the United Kennel Club under the name Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog, while the American Kennel Club Foundation Stock Service calls it Catahoula Leopard Dog. Both registries have assigned the breed a herding designation, although it has traditionally been used in hunting feral boars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomeranian dog</span> Dog breed

The Pomeranian is a breed of dog of the Spitz type that is named for the Pomerania region in north-west Poland and north-east Germany in Central Europe. Classed as a toy dog breed because of its small size, the Pomeranian is descended from larger Spitz-type dogs, specifically the German Spitz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulldog</span> British breed of dog

The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a medium-sized, muscular dog of around 40–55 lb (18–25 kg). They have large heads with thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw. The breed has significant health issues as a consequence of breeding for its distinctive appearance, including brachycephaly, hip dysplasia, heat sensitivity, and skin infections. Due to concerns about their quality of life, breeding Bulldogs is illegal in Norway and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Cattle Dog</span> Breed of herding dog

The Australian Cattle Dog, or simply Cattle Dog, is a breed of herding dog developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. This breed is a medium-sized, short-coated dog that occurs in two main colour forms. It has either red or black hair distributed fairly evenly through a white coat, which gives the appearance of a "red" or "blue" dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Working dog</span> Dog trained to perform practical tasks

A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, as opposed to pet or companion dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collie</span> Type of herding dog

Collies form a distinctive type of herding dogs, including many related landraces and standardized breeds. The type originated in Scotland and Northern England. Collies are medium-sized, fairly lightly-built dogs, with pointed snouts. Many types have a distinctive white color over the shoulders. Collies are very active and agile, and most types of collies have a very strong herding instinct. Collie breeds have spread through many parts of the world, and have diversified into many varieties, sometimes mixed with other dog types.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Shepherd</span> Breed of dog

The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United States. The name of the breed is technically a misnomer, as it was developed in California in the 19th century. It is believe to have its origins in sheepdog breeds from northwest Spain, as well as collies imported, alongside sheep, from Australia and New Zealand; the breed reportedly took its name from this trade. Originally used solely as a herding dog, the Australian Shepherd has become one of the most popular companion dog breeds in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardigan Welsh Corgi</span> Dog breed

The Cardigan Welsh corgi is one of two different varieties of livestock-herding dog breeds known as Welsh corgis, with the other being the Pembroke Welsh corgi. It is one of the oldest breeds of the British Isles. Cardigan Welsh corgis are known to be an extremely loyal and trainable dog breed, naturally attuned to herding many different animals, from poultry and waterfowl to large livestock such as sheep and cattle. They are also versatile and can live in a variety of settings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pembroke Welsh Corgi</span> Dog breed

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is a cattle herding dog breed that originated in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It is one of two breeds known as a Welsh Corgi, the other being the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Pembroke Welsh Corgis descended from the Spitz family of dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rough Collie</span> Dog breed

The Rough Collie is a long-coated dog breed of medium to large size that, in its original form, was a type of collie used and bred for herding sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has focused on the Collie as a show dog, and also companion. The breed specifications call for a distinctive long narrow tapered snout and tipped (semiprick) ears, so some dogs have their ears taped when young. Rough Collies generally come in shades of sable and white, blue merle, tri-coloured, and colour-headed white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerry Blue Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Kerry Blue Terrier is a breed of dog. Originally bred to control vermin including rats, rabbits, badgers, ferrets, foxes, otters, hares, deer, and even wolves, over time the Kerry became a general working dog used for a variety of jobs including herding cattle and sheep. Despite a Kerry Blue winning Crufts in 2000, it remains an "unfashionable" breed, and is distinctly uncommon; however, it is not as threatened as some of the other terrier breeds such as the Skye Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, and Dandie Dinmont Terrier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old English Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England from early types of herding dog. Obsolete names for the breed include Shepherd's Dog and bob-tailed sheep-dog. The nickname Bob-tail originates from how dogs of the breed traditionally had their tails docked. Old English Sheepdogs can grow very long coats with fur covering the face and eyes and do not shed unless brushed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Pit Bull Terrier</span> American dog breed

The American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT) is a dog breed recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA), but not the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is a medium-sized, short-haired dog, of a solid build, whose early ancestors came from England. When compared with the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier is larger by margins of 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in height and 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg) in weight. The American Pit Bull Terrier varies in size: males are normally about 18–21 inches (45–53 cm) in height and around 35–60 pounds (15–27 kg) in weight, while females are normally around 17–20 inches (43–50 cm) in height and 30–50 pounds (13–22 kg) in weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McNab dog</span> Dog breed

The McNab Dog, also called the McNab Shepherd or McNab Collie is a herding dog that originated in Hopland, Mendocino County, Northern California. The McNab was bred to withstand the tough conditions found in California such as heat, burrs, foxtails, and rugged terrain. Until recently, the McNab was little known outside California, but in last three decades have seen a gain in popularity and geographic dispersal of the breed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog</span> Dog breed

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, commonly known as the Stumpy, is a naturally bobtailed or tailless medium-sized cattle dog closely related to the Australian Cattle Dog. The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog share Halls Heeler origin.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Official Lacy Dog Standard". LacyBreed.com. Adkins, TX: National Lacy Dog Association. 2008. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 From State of Texas cited in United States Government. "State Government". USA.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 From State of Texas, Senate Resolution No. 436, cited in National Kennel Club. "Senate Resolution No. 436". National Kennel Club. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 From State of Texas, House Concurrent Resolution No. 108, cited in Texas State Legislature. "H.C.R. No. 108". capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Texas, Louisiana name pioneers' working dogs as their state breeds". beaumontenterprise.com. Beaumont, TX: Hearst Community Newspapers. April 2, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Lacys at Work: Herding Cattle". Working Lacys: Official Blog of True Working Lacy Dogs. July 1, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Lacys at Work: Blood Tracking". Workinglacys.wordpress.com. November 29, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Lacys at Work: Trap Line Dogs". Workinglacys.wordpress.com. 2008-12-08. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Lacys at Work: Hog Hunting with Dogs". Workinglacys.wordpress.com. November 21, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  10. ↑ "Lacys at Work". NationalLacyDog.org. National Lacy Dog Association. 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  11. ↑ Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy; Taylor, Ty (2010). Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN   978-1-57779-106-5.
  12. ↑ "Hair Loss and Color Dilution Alopecia in Blue Lacys". Working Lacys. op. cit. February 4, 2009. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
  13. ↑ From Texas Department of Agriculture. Texas Family Land Heritage Registry, Volume 20, 2005; Austin, Texas, University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; UNT Libraries Government Documents Department. "Texas Family Land Heritage Registry". Texas Department of Agriculture. 2005. p. 24. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  14. ↑ "Texas Blue Lacys are the Official State Dog of Texas". LacyDog.com. San Antonio, TX: Texas Lacy Game Dog Association. 2008. Archived from the original on April 6, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  15. ↑ English Shepherd.United Kennel Club. "English Shepherds" . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  16. ↑ Greyhound.American Kennel Club AKC. "Greyhound" . Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. ↑ Coyote.National Geographic. "Coyote". National Geographic Society . Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  18. ↑ Gray Wolf.National Geographic. "Gray Wolf". National Geographic Society . Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  19. ↑ Texas Department of Agriculture. Texas Family Land Heritage Registry, Volume 20, 2005, p.24.
  20. ↑ Harris, Sam E. (January–February 1956). "Hog Dogs! Llano County, Texas, Ranchmen, Who Profit From Wild Range Hogs, Depend on Acorns and their Hog Dogs". NationalLacyDog.org. op. cit. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
  21. ↑ The Historical Marker Database. The Historical Marker Database. "Granite Mountain". hmdb.org. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  22. ↑ Texas State Historical Association, Handbook of Texas Texas State Historical Association. "Capitol". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ Joaquin Castro, Congressman for the 20th District of Texas U.S. House of Representatives. "Joaquin Castro, Congressman for the 20th District of Texas". U.S. Government. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ Texas Lacy Game Dog Association Texas Lacy Game Dog Association. "Texas Lacy Game Dog Association Homepage". Texas Lacy Game Dog Association. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  25. ↑ From Texas State Dog Breed, cited in States Symbols USA. "Blue Lacy Texas State Dog Breed". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  26. ↑ Baggett, Donnis (March 9, 2008). "The Final Say on Reveille; or Is It?". The Eagle . Bryan, TX: Bryan–College Station Communications. Archived from the original on March 14, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.