Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Blue Lacy Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide, Traits & More!

Blue Lacy Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care Guide, Traits & More!

blue lacy dog outdoor

The Blue Lacy is a working breed from Texas, recognized as the state dog since 2005. It’s a strong and fast dog, usually weighing about 45 pounds, and though it has the word blue in its name, it’s available in other colors like red and tri-color.

Breed Overview

Height:

18 – 21 inches

Weight:

40 – 50 pounds

Lifespan:

14 – 16 years

Colors:

Blue, red, tricolor

Suitable for:

Farms, large houses, experienced owners

Temperament:

Active, alert, intelligent

Its coat is short and sits close to the body, requiring minimal care though it does shed. While most of these dogs are still in Texas, they are gaining in popularity in the rest of the United States because of their intelligence and ability to control large livestock. Its enormously high energy level and determination make it a valuable worker, and its speed and curiosity make it an excellent watchdog.

Blue Lacy Dog Characteristics

Energy:
+
High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
+
Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
+
Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
+
Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
+
Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.
divider-dog

Blue Lacy Puppies

As the Blue Lacy gets more popular, these pups will become more expensive.  Right now there are currently only a few breeders in the state of Texas, and as the waiting list gets longer, the price will increase. There are many other costs you will need to consider as well, including regular vet checkups, vaccinations, and spayed or neutering costs. Flea and tick medication can also be quite costly, especially for heavier dogs. Besides medication, you will also need to provide food, treats, toys, and other amenities, like a bed, food bowl, and water fountain.

The Blue Lacy is not the most ideal choice of pup for a first-time dog owner. They are very active so homes with big yards are going to be best.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Blue Lacy

Most owners describe the Blue Lacy as intelligent, intense, active, and alert. It can be quite rowdy as a puppy because it likes to run around, burning off excess energy. As an adult, it’s a dedicated worker that enjoys a long day. It’s attentive and watchful, which helps it do a better job herding, and you will often need to coax it away to get some rest or something to eat. Its high intelligence and eager-to-please attitude make it easy to train new tricks, and you’ll find this breed one of your best and most useful workers.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?👪

The Blue Lacy is friendly and enjoys being around humans. If you have a large yard to run in, it can make a wonderful pet for adults. Since they are so active as puppies, they will often knock things over, including small children and toddlers, so this might not be the best breed for someone expecting a baby. However, if there are no small children, the Blue Lacy loves to play, has very few health problems, and makes a great watchdog.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Early socialization is the best way to make sure your Blue Lacy gets along with your other pets. Like other herding breeds, these dogs don’t get aggressive, but your other animals might not like it when your dog nips them. Cats especially will take offense, and it could lead to a struggle. However, we found that as herding dogs get older, they tend to leave cats alone, and they begin to cohabitate nicely.

divider-paw

Things to Know When Owning a Blue Lacy

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Blue Lacy will require the same basic nutrition as most other breeds. We recommend a dry kibble with chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb listed as the first ingredient. Avoid foods with meat by-products, corn, or exotic meat like kangaroo or alligator as the main ingredient. Meat by-product is an inexpensive dried and ground meat that can store for several years. While his meat is not technically bad and could boost the protein level considerably, we prefer fresher meat with a specific origin. Corn, soy, and wheat are genetically modified fillers with low nutritional value. It’s easy for your dog to gain weight eating corn. Exotic meat is becoming more popular, but we recommend sticking to food in the dog’s natural diet and providing meat like ostrich only as a treat.

blue-lacy-dog-running_Jessica-Lobsinger_shutterstock
Image by: Jessica Lobsinger, Shutterstock

Exercise 🐕

The Blue Lacy is extremely active, and it will be difficult for this dog to get enough exercise if it doesn’t have a lot of room to run and a job to do, like herding cattle. Since it likes to work, it can get destructive if kept indoors due to boredom. It can chew your furniture and walls and might also run around your home, knocking things over in the process. Runners and hiking enthusiasts might be able to provide the exercise the dog needs, and we knew someone who had the dog run with them while they rode a bike for a few miles each day. You will need to set aside at least an hour each day and devote it to getting your Blue Lacy the exercise it needs to stay healthy.

Training 🎾

The Blue Lacy is an extremely intelligent dog that learns new tricks quickly. In most cases, your dog will pick up a new trick in a few tries and commit it to memory. It has a complex job on the farm with many small details that it performs each day, often without instruction. We recommend setting a few minutes aside at the same time each day for training. Try to stay consistent, and your dog will get into a routine and start looking forward to the next session. To get them to learn, repeat a command while motioning or gesturing what you want the dog to do. When the dog follows your command, give it a treat and try again until your dog does what you want on the first or second try. Patience and consistency are the way to a well-trained dog, and the Blue Lacy makes it easy.

Grooming ✂️

The Blue Lacy has very short fur that rests against the body, so it is easy to maintain. There will be no tangles to brush out or long hair to trim. However, it does shed quite a bit all year long, and it will get especially heavy in the spring and fall. We were surprised at how much hair we found in our home from this short-haired breed as the summer rolled around. Once a week, brushing should be enough to keep the coat neat and reduce shedding in the off-season. We also recommend manually brushing your dog’s teeth as frequently as possible to slow the progression of dental disease. You may also need to trim the nails if you notice them clicking off the floor.

blue lacy dog and blind cocker spaniel dog going for a walk
Image Credit: Kelly Preston, Shutterstock

Health and Conditions 🏥

Minor Conditions
  • Food Allergies
Serious Conditions
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hypothyroidism

Minor Conditions

  • Food Allergies: Unfortunately, the Blue Lacy seems to suffer from food allergies more than other breeds. Food allergy symptoms include itchy skin, shaking their head, ear inflammation, chronic diarrhea, and more. Your dog inherits allergies through genetics which makes your dog susceptible to certain ingredients. There are allergy tests you can get that will provide you with a complete list of your dog’s allergies, but these can be expensive. If you suspect food allergies, you will need to check the ingredients and switch to a new band. In time, you will learn what ingredients don’t agree with your pet.

Serious Conditions

  • Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a condition that many dogs face resulting from the hip joint not forming correctly due to genetics. Since the bones don’t fit together correctly, they wear down quickly, making it difficult for your dog to get up or walk. Large breeds and overweight dogs suffer more because the added weight causes the bones to wear down faster. Like the Blue Lacy, extremely active dogs cause the bones to wear down quickly with their running and jumping.
  • Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects the thyroid gland in the neck of your pet. It can result in a loss of hair, black patches of skin, weight gain, muscle loss, and a slowed heart rate. Medication can usually help ease the symptoms, and it’s generally not life-threatening.

divider-dog paw

Male vs Female

The male Blue Lacy tends to stand a little taller and weigh a little more than the female, but the difference is slight, and you might not notice it if they weren’t standing together. The females tend to be a little more independent, while the males enjoy petting and snuggling on the couch.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Blue Lacy Dog

1. The Blue Lacy Breed Is Sensitive to Noise

Because of their ability to handle large animals and fast speed, many people might think the Blue Lacy would make a great hunting dog. However, this breed is sensitive to noise and will lose focus and become frightened at gunfire. If you want to purchase one as a family pet, you can expect holidays like the 4th of July to be a big deal in your home as your dog hides and howls. Traffic noise, car horns, and backfires might also make city life too stressful for this breed.


2. It’s Named After the Lacy Brothers

The Lacy brothers moved to Texas in the 1850s to breed cattle and pigs. They developed the Blue Lacy breed to help them tend to the large number of livestock they created.


3. It Tracks Like a Bloodhound

The Blue Lacy has a great nose that can help with rescue operations or trapping animals.

divider-paw

Final Thoughts

The Blue Lacy is an amazing dog that is probably best for experienced owners and farms that will put it to work due to its high energy levels. However, if you have a large area for the dog to run and no small children, it can make a wonderful pet with few health problems and a long lifespan. Since it originates in Texas, it should be too hard to find a skilled breeder that will create a healthy puppy for you at a reasonable cost.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over our look into this Texas dog and learned some new facts. If we have convinced you to get one for your home or farm, please share this review of the Blue Lacy on Facebook and Twitter.


Featured Image Credit: Jessica Lobsinger, Shutterstock

Our vets

Want to talk to a vet online?

Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers!

Our vets