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Blue Lacy
(Blue Lacy Game Dog)
(Texas Blue Lacy Game Dog)
This is Fred, owned by Walter & Iva Barbee.
He is the "red" or "yellow" version of the breed.
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Description |
The coat of the Blue Lacy is smooth, tight,
sleek, exceptionally clean in appearance. The origin of the unusual slate
blue coat and nose is a genetic rarity. All Lacy's have minimal to full
white markings on their brisket and most of the time on paw or paws. The
light gun-metal gray to almost black Lacy's are classified in color as
blue. The red, yellow to cream Lacy's are classified in color as red.
The tri-colored Lacy's are blue with red markings over their eyes, on
muzzle, under tail, and down the legs. They are classified in color as
tri. Both the red and tri-colored Lacy's hold the name Blue Lacy due to
the blue-color gene they possess. All Blue Lacy's eyes are very bright
and distinctive orange to yellow in color. Which adds a unique touch to
their appearance. |
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Temperament |
Lacy's are easy to handle, spectacular workers
and pets that are great with children. This breed is very sensitive to
yelling. It responds better to stern or soft
commands. They are energetic and dedicated dogs, capable of handling the
meanest longhorn cattle or most jittery of hens, taking the job
instinctively, requiring no training. They are known to replace the work
of a cowboy by five times. This breed is also used for hog hunting,
finding wounded deer, and treeing game. Suitable for a watch dog and both
herding and droving tasks. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: 18-25 inches (46-64 cm.)
Weight: 25-50 pounds (11-23 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
None reported at this time. No hip problems and
etc... |
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Living Conditions |
They adapt well to any type of living
conditions. They
make good house dogs, but also love being out door dogs as well. Easy to
train for house or outside. |
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Exercise |
The Lacy needs lots of attention and exercise, as
most of your working breeds do. They do not get hyper if they are not
worked, but we suggest it because they were breed to be a working dog and
we would like to see the dogs remain in the ranch and hunting industries
to save the breed for the future. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 16 years. There are 16 year old Lacy still
working cattle and hunting. |
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Grooming |
Short hair. Low maintenance. |
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Origin |
Having nothing to do with the characteristics the
dogs have, the name is that of the Lacy Family. Arriving from Kentucky by
covered wagon in 1858 the "Lacy Brothers" (Frank, George, Ewin, and Harry
Lacy) settled in the granite hills near Marble Falls, Texas. As true a
pioneer as the men you see in history books, the Blue Lacy Game Dog has
filled the needs of Colonial Americans for well over a century on ranches
in the Southwestern US. When the three-wheeled horse hit the trail it
brought this unique breed unsuccessfully close to extinction. While the
need for its instinctive herding abilities were diminishing the need for
its abilities to bay the fiercest of hog, pick up the trail of any game
animal or find a wounded animal on the slightest of blood trails was on
the rise in the commercial hunting industry. They are now the most common
breed used by the United States Trappers. Blue Lacy owner's claim they
are the perfect all-around dog, knowing where to be at just the right
time. The Lacy family history notes the breed to be the result of
Greyhound/ scent hound/ coyote cross with the emphasis on the herding/
droving characteristics. Many people have their theory on the scent hound
used. Some believe it was a Red Bone Hound, or Italian Gray Hound, others
believe it was a July Hound. What ever the Hound in the combination is
the cross worked. The Lacy brothers established this breed under the
guidelines it takes to develop a recognized breed. |
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Group |
Herding |
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Development |
The Lacy family history notes the breed to be the
result of Greyhound/Scent hound/coyote cross with the emphasis on the
herding/droving characteristics. Many people have their theory on
the scent hound used. Some believe it was a Red Bone Hound, or
Italian Grey Hound, others believe it was a July Hound. What ever
the Hound in the combination is the cross worked. The Lacy brothers
established this breed under the guidelines it takes to develop a
recognized breed. |
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Character |
Lacy's are easy to handle, spectacular workers
and pets that are great with children. They are energetic and
dedicated dogs, capable of handling the meanest longhorn cattle or most
jittery of hens, taking the job instinctively, requiring no training.
They are known to replace the work of a cowboy by five times. This
breed is also used for hog hunting, finding wounded deer, and treeing
game. Suitable for a watch dog. |
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Strength |
Both herding and droving tasks. |
| Weakness |
Very sensitive to yelling. Responds better
to stern or soft commands. |
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Books and Articles Information on the Blue Lacy
The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World pg. 204
The Mini-Atlas of Dog Breeds pg. 448
The Trail hounds Chapter 4
Dog Fancy Magazine 1980 (Blue Lacys - Instinctive "Cowboys")
Livestock Weekly pg. 8 May 16, 1991 |
An All around Dog,
The Blue Lacy
Article Written by Mario Riley
The breed was
developed for just that purpose, to be a perfect all around dog. Blue Lacy’s
know where to be at just the right time, driving into task with out the
hesitation of fear. That was very important to the needs of Colonial Americans
in the 1800’s. Especially for my great great, grandfather Frank Lacy and his
brothers George, Edwin and Harry who raised several hundred head of cattle and
hogs, with no help from modern age farm equipment. The four brothers didn’t
just need help with rounding and driving livestock, but also with hunting food
and hides for their families. Their dogs were said to replace the work of a
cowboy by five times during the day, and the rest of the time they would tree
coon’s, hunt wild hogs and find wounded deer on the slightest of blood trail.
The “Lacy Brothers”
arrived by covered wagon in 1858 to the granite hills near Marble Falls, Texas
from Christian Count, Kentucky. They originated the breed shortly after they
settled in Texas. The brothers made sure that every dog they bred were quality
working Lacy’s. They took the same pride in breeding their dogs as they did
with breeding their livestock.
Frank, George, Edwin and Harry were not just
occupied with livestock and dogs. These men were soldiers in the Confederate
Army and had many other accomplishments in their country and community. There
is a write up at the capital of Texas, in Austin about George Lacy. It states
how he both granite hill, known to be Granite Mountain now, and donated all the
needed granite to build the capita. The capital has been built out of wood in
previous times and there had been problems with it burning down. The state gave
him and apartment in the capital for the generous donation. He later donated it
to the Daughters of the Republic and now is the home of the Lieutenant Governor,
according to Granville Lacy (George Lacy’s grandson). Granville shared with my
husband and I what made these dogs different from other herding dogs. He talked
about other dogs and how they work the back end of the animal, but a Lacy works
the nose. They lead the animals not push it. We had an opportunity to witness
this for ourselves. We use our Blue Lacy’s for finding wounded deer and treeing
coons and had not witnessed these dogs on cattle. It was extremely fascinating
to see the Blue Lacy dogs keep the cattle in such control. The Trappers I have
talked to say they do the same with wild hogs. It is truly a sight to see!
Clyde Lacy
(cousin to Granville) passed down a story about his grandpa Lacy and his Blue
Lacy dogs. He recalled that they would have approximately 300 hogs held up on
Granite Mountain. When it was time for the hogs to be penned, Grandpa Lacy
would open the gates and give the dogs the signal to round them up and put them
in the pens. With out aid of the cowboys the Blue Lacy’s would bring back the
herd in roughly 3 hours and have them in the pen. These incredible instincts
are what made them known back in the time of the Lacy brothers and spread them
through out the counties. They are as true a Texas pioneer as the men you see
in history books.
When the
three-wheeled horse hit the trail, it brought this unique breed unsuccessfully
close to extinction. While the need for its instinctive herding abilities were
diminishing the need for its abilities to bay the fiercest of hog, pick up the
trial of any game animal or find wounded animals was on the rise in the
commercial hunting industry. They are now the most common breeds used by the
United States Trappers. The Lacy Game Dog Registry is working to increase the
number of Blue Lacy’s back to what it once was.
My family history
suggested that Blue Lacy’s are the result of Greyhound/ sent hound/ coyote cross
with the emphasis on the herding/ droving characteristics. They have been
categorized with the Cur breeds and listed in the herding group. Like in every
breed of dogs, the different combination of dogs used to develop one breed is
theory, and may people have their opinions. The only proven fact is, all dogs
are descendants of the coyote, dingo, fox, jackal or wolf. Looking up dogs in
any encyclopedia can support this fact.
If you are
wondering, what do these dogs look like? I was just getting to that! A pure Blue
Lacy is 25-50 lbs. And approximately 18-25 inches in height. Their coats are
smooth, short, and tight and exceptionally clean in appearance. The light
gun-metal gray to almost black Lacy’s are classified as blue in color. Red,
yellow to cream Lacy’s are classified as red in color. Finally, yet importantly
you have Tri-colored Lacy’s. They have a combination of Blue and red markings.
All pure Blue Lacy’s have minimal to full white markings on their brisket.
White is also common on a paw or paws. All three of the different classified
colored dogs are still called Blue Lacy’s. Both the red and tri-colored Lacy’s
hold the name due to the blue-color gene they possess and produce. Their eyes
are very bright and distinctive orange to amber in color. Which adds an unique
touch to their appearance.
The Lacy Game Dog
Registry is in the process of tracking down all pure blood Lacy’s in the United
States. We have found that the numbers of Blue Lacy’s are greatly declining.
In an effort to save the breed, we are trying to reach all owners of such dogs.
Current owners provide up-dated information, background and other vital clues to
save the breed. Any names or contacts you might have would be greatly
appreciated. If you are interested in breeding or working quality True Blue
Lacy’s please call (210) 681-1301
1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 436
1-3 WHEREAS, Among all the breeds of dog that can be found in
1-4 Texas, few have an association with the state as noteworthy as
1-5 that enjoyed by the Blue Lacy; and
1-6 WHEREAS, Believed to be the first dog breed to have
1-7 originated in this state, the dog is named for the Lacy family,
1-8 which developed the breed in the mid-1800s for herding and
1-9 hunting; descended from greyhound, scent hound, and coyote stock,
1-10 the Blue Lacy has a capacity for hard work that typifies the
1-11 rugged virtues of a Texas ranch-hand; and
1-12 WHEREAS, In addition to its place of origin and its
1-13 ranching pedigree, this companionable dog boasts another
1-14 association with the State of Texas: the Lacy family, including
1-15 George W. Lacy and his brothers, moved from Kentucky to
1-16 Burnet County in 1858 and settled in the area of present-day
1-17 Marble Falls; several decades later, when a new state capitol
1-18 was erected in Austin, George Lacy and the other owners of
1-19 Granite Mountain donated the red granite that was used in its
1-20 construction; and
2-1 WHEREAS, The Blue Lacy is a Texas native, a working dog
2-2 bred to play an essential role in ranch operations, and a dog
2-3 whose original breeders played a critical part in the building
2-4 of the State Capitol, and this proud heritage gives the Blue Lacy
2-5 especially strong Texas credentials; now, therefore, be it
2-6 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
2-7 77th Legislature, hereby honor the Blue Lacy dog breed as
2-8 a true Texas breed.
2-9
Staples
2-10
___________Bill
Ratliff______________
2-11 President of the Senate
2-12 I hereby certify that the above
2-13 Resolution was adopted by the Senate
2-14 on March 8, 2001.
2-15 ___________ _Betty
King_______________
2-16 Secretary of the Senate
2-17 ___________ Todd Staples
_____________
2-18 Member, Texas Senate |
This is SARGE.
Sarge shows a good example of a blue coat Blue Lacy.
Photo Courtesy of
Lacy Game Dog Registry.
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