The prescribed state dog of Texas , the blasphemous lacy was bred to work on ranches . These hardworking , dignified bounder have limitless energy and do best with an participating family and access to wide - open spaces .
A Texas native , the dark lacy is an improbably hardworking weenie that only recently has grow in popularity as a class pet . In fact , the blue lacy issuch a rarefied breedthat , unless you ’re from the Southwest , you ’ve probably never heard of this unique dog .
" Highly intelligent , active , and focused , this is a working firedog at heart that is substantially suited formore experienced dog owners , " says Jen Jones , a professional click trainer and behavior specialiser who runsYour Dog Advisor .
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The bluish lacy , which is the official land wiener of Texas , has arise into quite the versatile heel in both his professional and personal liveliness . Not only is he dissipated , strong , and up to of herd chore on the farm ( he ’s well - versed at rounding up everything from cattle to hogs to volaille ) , he ’s also a skilled hunter and an plus to some hunt and rescue team .
But the blue lacy is also aloyal and have sex family companion , possess an cushy demeanor with children . Thismedium - sized dogdoesn’t need much in footing of prepare andhe barely sheds , but he does have what seems to be an infinite supplying of energy . Because of this , the aristocratical lacy iswell - suited for an active familythat loves the outdoors .
Appearance
Poised and muscular , the downhearted lacy possesses a particularly spellbinding appearance . These intermediate - sized wiener are 18–23 inches in meridian and weigh 30–55 pounds . They are impregnable , speedy , and overall have a confident air to jibe their good looks , according to theLacy Game Dog Registry(LGDR ) .
Though prognosticate thebluelacy , coat colors can change quite a second . That " blue " can be a light Asa Gray to almost smuggled , and blue lacys can also be red , chicken , cream , or tri - colored ( blue with red points ) , according to the LGDR breed standard . Whether you have a blue or tri - color blue lacy , his pelage is short , sleek , and easy to dress .
The breed ’s slate blue coat and nose is considered a genetic rarity , and lacys have blank marking on their breast and hand . But perhaps the most interesting trait these dogs possess are their dramatically shining , almond - mould eyes that range from orangeness to yellow in color .
Courtesy of audis.thelacy / Instagram
Temperament
You could describe the Texas juicy lacy as being a salt - of - the - ground type of dog . They ’re extremely untiring and dedicated , and , on farm , they can instinctively handle obstinate longhorn cattle and highly strung hen , grant to the LGDR .
As an passing high - get-up-and-go breed that ’s engrossed on process heavily , the blue lacy has taken on a kind of roles such as hogg hunting , bird hunting , and lookup and rescue . The risque lacy disposition is outgoing , dignified , and loyal . And , when these domestic dog are off the clock , they may just give you some loving snuggles .
The dark lacy can con to get along with other pets as long as they aresocialized with them from puppyhood , says Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consult veterinary surgeon atFiveBarks .
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kinsfolk with modest children should live that this breed is one that ’s very high - energy and bouncy . As with all dogs , the blue lacy should besupervised around low kiddos . Simon saysblue lacys like childrenand tend to keep a watchful , caring eye over those in their family .
Living Needs
The drear lacy is a very high - energy , gamy - endurance workings wienerwurst who , if hand the hazard , would run and work all daytime , says Corinne Wigfall , DVM , BVS , BVM , consulting veterinarian withSpiritDog Training . Because of this , the blue lacy is definitely not suited for flat — or even homes where he wo n’t have plenteous land to operate .
" If maintain as a positron emission tomography , theyneed to be exercised daily , ideally double daily for a minimum of one minute , and you must spend time using their brain inactivities such as agilityorscent workto use up all the DOE they of course possess , " Wigfall tell .
The blue lacy tends to get along well with other dog , she says , and puppy playdates are a good outlet for extra muscularity left over after a hard day ’s study . ( Yes , they will still have energy after a full Clarence Shepard Day Jr. on the farm ! )
Courtesy of audis.thelacy / Instagram
Really , the blue lacy ’s support motivation are quite recess , and they run to be a good fit for experienced pet owners . Blue lacy dogs will be well-chosen with active families who pass a passel of quality meter running andhikingin the great outdoors .
Care
Blue lacy dogs have short pelt that requires minimal grooming care , Simon says .
" Theyshould be brush downevery so often to remove utter fur and debris , " she says . With satiny and shiny coating , blue lacy dogs do shed , but not much .
Ear care is an important routine with this strain . Because their auricle are floppy and declamatory , Simon say , they may beprone to ear infectionsif their ear are getting frequently wet and are n’t cleaned on a regular basis . seek to dry out the spike canalsafter a swimor rain tempest , andclean his earsevery one or two weeks as want , she suggest .
Courtesy of audis.thelacy / Instagram
Also , pup parent shouldbrush their dog ’s teethon a day-after-day ( or every - other - day ) basis to keep those pearly-white whites healthy . And do n’t forget totrim those nailsso they do n’t spring up too long .
Training should be easywith these smart , sore dogs . Blue lacys are eager to please ( especially when it fall to labor ) , sobring on the treatsand head pats as you conduce short and efficienttraining sessions . You may even want to supply somebrain - engaging puzzle toysinto the mixture .
" They are fairly easy to train but require consistency , longanimity , [ and ] positiveness , " say Sarah Wooten , DVM , veterinary expert forPumpkin Pet Insurance . " And it ’s unspoiled to start early with grooming and equal enculturation . "
The adept practice session this Canis familiaris can get is by having access to wide open space to ( you guess it ) run , Wooten order . This is a breed that will be eager to work a plot of Frisbee , bring their favorite toys , or serve you train for a marathon .
Health
Overall , blue lacy dogs are a healthy stock . They have lifespans of 12–16 year .
However , one treatable precondition that racy lacy dogs incline to be prostrate to is atopic dermatitis , Simon pronounce .
" This allergic skin disease causes itching as well as secondary hide contagion and fur loss , " she say . The bounder ’s response is linked to a food orallergen they are peril to . get hold out what the allergen is and eliminate it is key to successfully managing this condition , Simon says . Symptoms are usually control with a combination of anti - itch medicine , antibiotic drug , and medicated washing .
Hip dysplasia , elbow dysplasia , andhypothyroidism(which can bear on your dog ’s metabolism but be effectively cope ) are some other conditions that may also pretend risque lacy dogs .
History
The blue lacy is the first firedog to have originated in the state of Texas , according to the LGDR . The breed is named for four brothers — George , Erwin , Frank , and Harry Lacy — who moved from Kentucky to Texas in 1858 and settled in Texas Hill Country . The house breed cattle and hogs as well as dogs to work out alongside them .
For a century , the blue lacy was a mainstay on ranch in Texas , herding cattle , hog , and wimp and also serving as hound hotdog , according to theTexas resolutionthat announce the blue lacy the official body politic bounder .
The breed dwindle , almost disappearing totally , with the declining function of working Canis familiaris on ranches . However , since 1975 , there ’s been a concerted effort to preserve the blue lacy . Still a rare breed , most blue lacy puppies are found in Texas .
In 2005 , the dreary lacy was adopted as the official state dog of Texas , with a resolution stating : " Like the Texas longhorn , the Blue Lacy is a Texas archetype . "