If you want to know how to breed Blue Lacy dogs, this is the guide you were looking for! You will get to know everything about this dog breed that has a unique coat due to the blue-color gene it possesses. We will give you all the details about their origin since this is a mixed breed. Also, what its most outstanding characteristics and temperament are.
Breeding Blue Lacy dogs requires you to inform about their health as well, so we will show you what are the health issues they may suffer from. If you are ready to become an expert about Blue Lacy Dog breeding, then you should read our guide until the end!
The Background of Blue Lacy Dogs
There’s a lot to see about Blue Lacy dogs, especially if you’re interested in breeding them. Here you’ll find a proper summary on the most important facts.
Origin and History
The story of the origin of the Blue Lacy dog breed is quite interesting. Let’s begin by the fact that part of their name tells us where they come from. It was the Lacy brothers who created it. In 1968, the brothers Frank, Ewin, Harry, and George Lacy moved from Burnet to Texas. Since they were ranchers, they had the desire to protect their farms and to work free-roaming hogs. As a result, they began to develop dogs that could help them to satisfy that purpose and to work as both, hunters and herders.
There is much discussion about the dog breeds that were mixed to finally develop the Blue Lacy. However, many people agree that this breed is the product of a mix that includes the English Shepherd, the Greyhound, and a scent-hound. That a wild animal, such as a wolf or coyote, contributed to the mix is highly believed, as well.
Even though the Blue Lacy became popular around the state for its amazing skills, the breed was close to becoming extinct. The increase in farm vehicles was one of the reasons why. Fortunately, people slowly started to recognize their incredible working skills and speed, so the breed was rediscovered. And gained popularity once again. In 2001, the Texas Senate recognized the Blue Lacy. Later, in 2005, Governor Rick Perry signed legislation adopting the Blue Lacy as the official State Dog Breed of Texas. Today, this breed is the most common one used by United States trappers.
Popularity
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has not recognized the Blue Lacy as a breed yet. Therefore, unfortunately, we can’t provide you with official information about its popularity based on the ranking. However, there are still a few things that can prove how beloved this breed is. Starting by the fact that it is famous for being the State Dog of Texas.
It was on March 15, 2005, that a resolution was filed to recognize original breeders and their contribution to the State of Texas and honoring the Lacy as a Texas original. Some days later, Governor Rick Perry signed the legislation. The Blue Lacy has always been prized by their hunting and herding abilities. Not only in the United States but now there are breeding populations that have also been established across Canada and Europe.
Many of you may have read the novel “Old Yeller”. Well, even though the dog in the novel is a Black Mouth Cur, the author may have taken some inspiration from the Blue Lacy. This is because Fred Gipson grew in the county next to where the Lacy brothers lived and developed the breed. Therefore, that may have influenced him somehow.
Appearance
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It is time to finally see the Blue lacy dog breed characteristics. There may be many things you want to know regarding their appearance, especially after hearing that their name contains the word blue. So, do they really have that coat color? Well, you will have to wait a little bit more to get to the answer because let’s begin with their size.
Size
Blue Lacys are medium-sized dogs. When talking about their height, it can vary from 46 to 53 cm. Bear in mind that males are larger and heavier than females. To be more accurate, let’s see what are the ideal measures that a Blue Lacy should have.
This is the range for a male Blue Lacy according to their weight:
- Weight: 35 to 55 pounds
While these are the numbers for a female Blue Lacy:
- Weight: 25 to 45 pounds
Head
Their muzzle is long, narrow, and strong. When talking about their eyes, these are almond in shape. They have bright eyes that are any shade from yellow to orange. Many people say that their stare is intense and sharp.
Ears
A distinctive mark of the breed is the folded-over ears. They’re an essential trait, and a deviation of this means that the Blue Lacy is not 100% pure.
Body
Their body is strong and sturdy, as well as thin and muscular. It is proportional to the height-to-weight ratio.
Coat
As you might be thinking, yes, the coat of this dog comes in blue. It is not a bright blue, of course, it is a blue that is any shade of gray from light silver to dark charcoal. They all have the gene for blue coat color.
However, this is not the only color in which this breed comes. There are two other colors, and these are red, which refers to any shade from light cream to rusty, and tricolor, which refers to a blue base coat with red markings and white along the belly, chin, or paws.
The Blue Lacy’s coat is very short, smooth, and tight. That is why they require very little grooming.
Temperament
Blue Lacys are working dogs. Therefore, they have an inner motivation to work on top of being fearless – a great temperament combo. Not only that, but they are extremely energetic. They like having something to do, exercising, or demanding a challenging job such as herding, hunting, tracking, or agility. Otherwise, they can become destructive and bored, which is never good. Take into account that they are sensitive to yelling, so it is better to treat them softly.
Besides, they make excellent watchdogs thanks to their territorial and alert nature. They always want to protect their property and family. They are also bold, and brave. However, it is not all strength when it comes to them, as they are also smart. That is why is not difficult to train them. And they can perform many tasks without a problem.
And don’t get the wrong idea because they make great family companions, as well. They are kind to children, and are loyal, and loving. As long as they live in an environment that provides them with an adequate challenge, they will remain calm, and sweet.
Health Concerns When Breeding Blue Lacy Dogs
Blue Lacy dogs are very healthy since they are athletic, and always exercising due to their high energy levels. Plus, this breed is excellent for ranchers and hunters. However, that doesn’t mean that they perfect in terms of health. They can also suffer from some diseases. These are some to which Blue Lacys are prone to.
Hip Dysplasia
This first medical condition that we are going to explain involves the massive growth of the hip joint. This produces the hip joint’s ball and socket to rub against each other.
You can notice this in an unwillingness of your Blue Lacy to get up or down, in lameness, or in other signs that they are in pain.
It is often a genetic condition that usually occurs in their senior years. So, you must prevent your dog from gaining too much weight by feeding it appropriately. For this purpose, there are also, dog foods that promote joint health, which include many nutrients, as well as high levels of omega-3 oils. Actually, this health issue receives a preventive treatment rather than a cure.
Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a health issue that involves the growth of abnormalities of the dog’s elbow joint. This condition is common in large dogs. However, Blue Lacys are prone to this as well. Here is a list of the symptoms your dog may show in case they are suffering from elbow dysplasia:
- Decrease range of motion in the joint
- Signs of pain upon extension or flexion of the joint
- Intermittent or persistent lameness
- Difficulty getting up
- Reluctancy to go on a walk
There are many treatment options. They depend on how severe your dog’s condition is. These can go from conservation medical options to surgical options. For more info about this, read our guide on elbow dysplasia.
Hypothyroidism
This is a thyroid problem that occurs in dogs when the thyroid glands fail to produce thyroxine, which is a hormone that controls metabolism. As a result, this produces lower hormone levels in the dog and can deplete your dog of basic nutrients.
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This disease can lead to a bunch of other conditions such as weight gain, a dull coat, hair loss, muscle loss, intolerance to cold, lethargy, or even infertility.
So, it’s important to give your Blue Lacy a balanced diet that includes a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Seaweed and fish should be a must in this diet, since they have Iodine, which is beneficial for thyroid health.
Color Dilution Alopecia
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic disease that many other dog breeds can suffer from, and it results in them exhibiting a dull and dry coat. Not only that, but it also causes hair loss. There isn’t a lot that is known about this condition. However, it is believed that this occurs, especially, in dogs that have a dilute fur color due to melanin clumping in them.
Many owners don’t tend to pay attention to it because they don’t think it is any serious. But they are wrong. If this disease is not treated, then they can develop bacterial infections that can result in small bumps on the skin, along with inflammation, itching, etc. These are some of the signs that can tell you that your Blue Lacy may be suffering from color dilution alopecia:
- Dry or dull hair color
- Hair thinning
- Missing patches of hair
- Itchy skin
- Small bumps on the skin
This illness doesn’t have a cure, but treatments. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications represent a temporary solution to the problem. However, long-term management of this condition involves supplements and topical therapies to improve skin and coat health.
How to Breed Blue Lacy Dogs
In this section, you will find out how breeding this dog can be a profitable business by learning some useful tips.
Choosing the Bitch and Stud
This is an extremely important task since you must find a superb Blue lacy dog stud to continue the breed and also have a higher profit.
To find the right stud, you have to:
- Check papers and certificates that assure its pedigree
- Evaluate the dog’s temperament and physical features so you can have an idea of how the puppies would be
- Do not choose a stud too old but neither one too young, a middle-aged stud is best
On the other hand, to find the right bitch, you have to:
- Make sure that it has received yearly check-ups to verify it has none of the hereditary diseases we have mentioned before
- It is not correct to choose a bitch that has had more than four litters since it can be suffering from some health issues, and also it is not considered as something correct
- Ensure that the bitch is healthy enough to withstand pregnancy
Be sure to establish conditions and to sign a contract so you will not have to spend more money than you thought. Bear in mind that this is a rare breed, which means that they are only a few in the world. Therefore, if you want to breed Blue Lacys, you must be committed to educating yourself about this breed. Also, you must have the time, energy, patience, passion, housing situation, and love for these dogs.
Litter Size
The litter size of Blue Lacys goes from an average of 3 to 5 puppies and unlike most other breeds, Blue Lacys bitches tend to go into heat only once per year.
It takes between 60 to 64 days for these dogs to deliver Blue Lacy puppies. The small puppies should be raised with proper care and attention. And always be sure to expose it to different people, environments, and sounds, so they can socialize correctly in the future.
Don’t forget that most frequent breeding is not healthy for dogs, so be careful not to ignore their needs and not to buy a dog from a puppy mill. And if you have a dog breeding business, make sure to never overlook this recommendation, as well.
Birthing Issues
It is proved that Blue Lacys can suffer from birthing issues. Nevertheless, there can be still a possibility for them to have dystocia. This is a condition that refers to the inability to expel the fetus without assistance. We can prevent this situation from happening if we identify the following indicators:
- The bitch presents fever, seizures, vomiting
- More than 30 minutes of persistent abdominal straining without delivering the puppy
- More than one hour of active labor
- Palpation of a stuck puppy in the birth canal
- Labor seems to have stopped before the entire litter is delivered
Aid
If your bitch is struggling to deliver, then two methods can be used. But make sure that your vet agrees and is able to come help if necessary.
The first includes medical treatment that consists of an oxytocin administration and calcium gluconate. Some specialists recommend the installation of warm fluid inside the uterus using a soft rubber catheter. If this is effective, then oxytocin can be given every 20 minutes until the bitch ends to deliver all the puppies.
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The second option is C-section, which should be initiated if the above methods did not work. After a cesarean section is performed. Most dogs recover quickly and complete recovery from anesthetics should take two to six hours. Nevertheless, you must monitor the bitch regularly. It must begin eating small amounts of food and water, because if she eats or drinks too much she may vomit. Also, the first days you can help her by making it lie so the puppies can nurse.
Clientele
This is the section for Blue lacy dog breeders that are looking to improve their businesses. If you are one of them, then you should pay attention to these ideas:
- Let your dogs participate in shows and work hard to win because, in that way, you will not only gain prestige but also the chance to breed award-winning dogs that have excellent pedigrees
- Another option is to provide stud dog services since you can get a fee offering it and it is a very profitable option if your stud can produce many champions
- Many people don’t know this breed. So, don’t hesitate to promote it on social media. Surely many people will be impressed to learn that this dog comes in a blue coat. Take advantage of this and other characteristics that this breed has to attract the attention of potential buyers
- And of course, you must offer a quality service. Remember not only purchasing female dogs, buying a male dog, or paying a stud fee, but also paying for their shots and tests to keep them healthy
Pricing
Owning a Blue Lacy can cost you about $600 to $800. This is a relatively expensive price, but it will vary depending on the kind of training it has received, its pedigree, and its temperament.
Before purchasing a dog, always remember what are the characteristics that a Blue Lacy should have. They should be medium in size, energetic, and alert.
To be sure, please, check one more time the appearance section, in which you will be able to read in detail what are Blue Lacy’s characteristics.
Breeding Blue Lacy Dogs – FAQs
It is possible that even after reading our whole guide, you still have some questions about Blue Lacys.
The price of a Blue Lacy goes from $600 to $800. Many reasons determine how much will you have to pay to get one. This can be due to their pedigree, the kind of training it has received, the temperament it has.
Also, there are not many breeders of the breed. That is another reason why. And if you are planning to get one from an ethical breeder that is famous for keeping their dogs healthy, then, that means you can expect to pay a high price for it.
Plus, the Blue Lacy is a rare breed. This means that the population of Blue Lacys is small in number. There are not many of them.
Many agree that this breed is the product of a mix that includes the English Shepherd, the Greyhound, and a scent-hound. Furthermore, experts also agree that a coyote or wolf might have gotten into the mix.
The Blue Lacy is not a pure breed. Therefore, it means that a mix of breeds created it. As we stated before, there is a debate regarding what breeds gave origin to the Blue Lacy.
Overall no, Blue Lacys are not aggressive. It happens because people tend to confuse aggressiveness with a territorial temperament, which are not the same. Blue Lacys always want to protect their families and properties. They are very brave and bold. If you don’t treat them badly and don’t yell at them, then, they will behave in a good way always.
Bear in mind that you must provide them with proper training and early socialization. It can be difficult for them to get along with other pets at first. Not only that, but if they are left alone during long periods, or you don’t provide them with challenging activities to use their energy, they can become destructive. However, you don’t have anything to fear if you give it the attention it needs. They are actually very kind to children and loyal. That is why they make perfect companions.
The Blue Lacy is a mixed breed, but as you might have noticed, none of those breeds include the Pitbull. Not only their heritage, but also their appearance differ, and their purposes are very different from each other.
Breeding Blue Lacys comes with its own set of challenges, like with any dog. Being aware of the potential issues allows you to prepare and therefore have the healthiest litter and birth you can.