Jackie, a female registered with the National Lacy Dog Registry, belongs to Jerry Don Moss of Llano. Staff photo by Jared Fields/Illustration by David Bean
Four Lacy brothers—George, Edwin, Frank, and Harry—bred the Blue Lacy dog for hunting, herding, and other ranch work after they moved to Marble Falls from Kentucky in 1858. They were also one of three families to donate granite from Granite Mountain for the construction of the State Capitol in Austin.
An easy-to-train but highly energetic dog, the Blue Lacy was designated the official State Dog Breed of Texas by the 79th Legislature in 2005. Lawmakers also recognized the Lacy as the first breed to have originated in the Lone Star State. Its characteristics come from a mix of Greyhound, scent hound, and coyote. Theories on the type of scent hound and wild animal in the mix are as varied as the dogs themselves.
A true Texas dog, the Blue Lacy is known for its tolerance of hot weather.
PERSONABLE ANIMALS
The Blue Lacy is known for its intelligence. It is intense, alert, and easy to train. It requires confident, assertive training but doesn’t respond well to punishment. Bred to work, the Blue Lacy requires a job or an activity for physical and mental stimulation.
COAT OF MANY COLORS
Three colors are permissible in a purebred Blue Lacy: blues from light silver to dark charcoal; reds from light cream to rust; and the tri-colored Lacy, which is blue with red points. The color blue in a dog or cat means the animal was born black but grays out as it matures.
SIGHT AND SOUND
With orange-yellow eyes as intense as a wolf’s, the Blue Lacy is sharp, alert, and bright. Bred as both a hunting and a herding dog, its nose makes it an excellent tracker of blood and game, including wild boar. Though it tracks quietly, the Lacy has an intense — and loud — bay when it corners its prey. The breed is the number one choice of trappers in the United States.
BEST IN BODY
Paws are firm, arched, and cat-like for moving quickly and quietly over varied and tough terrain. Its medium length, straight front legs, and square to slightly rectangular body makes it agile, fast, and an excellent search-and-rescue dog. The Lacy carries its long, curved tail with confidence and pride — as it should.
OTHER ATTRIBUTES
- Life span of 12-16 years
- Height at withers is 17-22 inches
- Weight is 30-45 pounds for females, 35-50 pounds for males
- Tight, smooth coat that sheds lightly
- Considered one of the healthiest among modern breeds
