Blue Lacy

Blue Lacy

Sponsored Links:

The Blue Lacy is a dog breed that originated in Texas in the mid 1800s. The Blue Lacy was first recognized by the State of Texas in an “official” capacity in 2001 by the Texas Senate.

The boast is that a Blue Lacy can do the work of five cowboys, and deluxe workers they are. They arrived “out West” by covered wagon from Kentucky in 1858, brought by the Lacy brothers.

These dogs are in the category of curs, with the emphasis on the herding/droving characteristics. They—like their relatives the Catahou-las—were created for specific needs of colonial Americans. Lacys are said to be the result of Grey noun d/scenthound/ coyote cross. Droving dogs could have contributed to the breed as well. 

The origin of the unusual slate blue color (and blue nose) is a genetic rarity. Few dogs have this coloration—the Bearded Collie, the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Greyhound—so the Greyhound contribution to the Lacy’s genetic make-up is a likely one. The so-called coyote in the cross could easily have been feral pariah dogs common in the southeastern United States.

Lacys were seen regularly on southwestern ranches for nearly a hundred years. Diane Gentry points out that they came close to disappearing when “modern cowboys on three-wheeled motorbikes” hit the trails.

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.

H. C. Wilkes was determined to save the breed and has worked since 1975 to do just that. They are finding favor with ranchers due to their burning desire to work. A Lacy can handle the meanest longhorn cattle and take to the job instinctively, requiring no training. They can also tackle wild hogs, but can herd chickens in the barnyard as well. Their owners claim they’re a good all-around dog, knowing just where to be at the appropriate time and diving into chores without being told to do so. Some will also tree game. They have a gentle nature and take direction with ease.

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/ scenthound/ coyote cross with the emphasis on the herding/ droving characteristics. Many people have their theory on the scenthound 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.

Related Dogs Information: