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Part of Texas heritage

State's official dog, the Blue Lacy, generates following

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  • Mike Forman •
  • Originally published January 20, 2009 at 4:31 p.m., updated January 20, 2009 at 4:31 p.m.

LOUISE - For James and Cynthia Johnson, the word "hooked" describes their affinity for the Blue Lacy.

As in, it didn't take long for them to fall for the breed of dog, which was was recognized as the official State Dog Breed of Texas in 2005

The Johnsons of Louise are proud owners of two Blue Lacy dogs. Cynthia is a rural postal carrier and her husband is owner of a custom cabinet shop. Their first interaction with a Blue Lacy was about two years ago.

"We had a friend that had one, and we just fell in love with it," James Johnson said.

Soon after, the Johnsons came home with Stormy, their own Blue Lacy. Podunk Heaven, the Johnson's ranch, is home to a second Blue Lacy, named Sissy, along with two cats, a Daschund, four mustangs, cattle and an armadillo that lives under the house.

The Johnsons said after they got their first Blue Lacy, they were instantly fascinated by the breed.

"Two days later, I was hooked," Cynthia Johnson said.

Stormy recently had her first litter and the Johnsons said all six puppies have already been spoken for. The puppies will be trained at four weeks to pick up a blood trail. Two of the puppies will go to people involved with search and rescue organizations.

The Blue Lacy breed is named after four brothers, Frank, George, Ewin and Harry Lacy, who moved to Marble Falls from Kentucky in 1858. The Lacy brothers decided to create a special breed of dog that would help them herd cattle and gather the free-roaming hogs and drive them to livestock markets in Austin. The dogs are known to excel in working with livestock. It is a well-known saying that one Blue Lacy "could do the work of five cowboys."

The characteristics of the breed include a clean, smooth, sleek coat, a height of 18 to 25 inches and a weight that ranges from 25 to 50 pounds. The three colors that can classify a Lacy are blue, red and tri-color. The origin of the unusual slate-blue coat and nose is a genetic rarity. Lacys can also have minimal to full white markings on their chest and paws.

The Johnsons say that most mornings their calves can be found in their horse pasture, and to herd them out, with little direction, Sissy and Stormy will take care of the situation.

"We tell them in the morning, 'Cows are in the pasture, go get them out,'" Cynthia Johnson said. "That's all we have to say."

It has been documented that the Blue Lacy is the result of crossing a Greyhound, scent hound and pariah dog or coyote.

Marlo Riley is a descendent of the Lacy family. Her great-great grandfather was Frank Lacy. Riley, who lives in Helotes, owns and maintains the Lacy Game Dog Registry. She is also a board member of the Texas Lacy Game Dog Association, which is dedicated to preserving the Blue Lacy breed.

More than 3,000 Blue Lacys are registered, Riley said.

The Blue Lacys are very strategic thinkers, Cynthia Johnson said.

"You'll see them figuring things out. They will teach themselves things. That's what's so bizarre about them," she said.

Riley said the Lacys are not as hyper as bird dogs, but they do require a lot of interaction and activity.

"They are very intelligent dogs, sometimes too intelligent," said Riley with a laugh. "You have to be smarter than them. If you like working breeds, they are awesome."

  • Other official state dogs

    Louisiana - Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Maryland - Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Massachusetts - Boston Terrier

    North Carolina - Plott Hound

    Pennsylvania - Great Dane

    South Carolina - Boykin Spaniel

    Virginia - American Foxhound

    Wisconsin - ...

  • SHOW ALL »

    • Other official state dogs

    Louisiana - Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog

    Maryland - Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Massachusetts - Boston Terrier

    North Carolina - Plott Hound

    Pennsylvania - Great Dane

    South Carolina - Boykin Spaniel

    Virginia - American Foxhound

    Wisconsin - American Water Spaniel



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