2024 TLGDA Fun Day Follow Up

June 20, 2024 No Comments

The LGDR believes it is a necessity to develop instincts and communication skills for dogs involved in activities like hog baying, cattle herding, treeing coons,

Read More »

Texas Lacy Game Dog Fun Day

February 27, 2024 No Comments

TLGDA FUN DAY Come Join Us April 27th This is a great introduction and training event for cattle herding, blood trailing, raccoon treeing, and hog

Read More »

Check Us Out On Instagram!!!

Follow Us on YouTube!

I am Anedrea Hodges, a Lacy Brother's descendant and a first-time Blue Lacy owner. The Lacy Brothers, Frank, George, Edwin, and Harry, developed the Blue Lacy breed in the mid-1800s. They created this versatile working dog to help with herding livestock, hunting, and other ranch tasks in Texas. The breed has since become well-known for its intelligence, agility, and strong work ethic. Today, Blue Lacy dogs continue to excel in their traditional roles on ranches, assisting with herding and hunting. My sister, Marlo Ondrej, started tracking with a Blue Lacy when she had one given to her 25+ years ago. She was amazed by the dog's abilities and started investigating. She found out that the Blue Lacy was a rare breed who almost became extinct. With further investigation she also found out that we were descendants of Frank Lacy. Discovering our lineage as descendants of Frank Lacy instilled a profound sense of pride and connection to our family's history. I believe it has deepened our appreciation for the Blue Lacy breed and its unique heritage, motivating us to preserve its legacy. I can say this experience has enriched my life, strengthened my bond with both the breed and my sister as we work together to honor our ancestors' contributions. Marlo has used Blue Lacy's to successfully track wounded game for 25+ years now. Her dedication and skill have led her to become one of the most respected trackers in our region. Marlo's Blue Lacys have successfully assisted in recovering countless animals, demonstrating their exceptional tracking abilities time and again. Her work has not only showcased the breed's talents but has also contributed significantly to wildlife conservation efforts. Her knowledge of accessing a hit site, the blood splatter, and trail left behind is above exceptional. Just the past week she had a call to assist a hunter find a wounded deer. They were unable to find the deer as enough time had not passed. She told the hunter to give it a day and then search for the nearest water hole. Due to what she saw at the hit site, and the blood trail, the deer would take longer to die. The deer would search for water and stay near there and probably die there if not scared off. The next day, the hunter called her and sent her a picture of the deer dead in the nearest water hole! It was cool witnessing the transaction. Now that I have a Blue Lacy, Tink, living back in Texas, hunting and tracking is an excellent way to keep Tink happy. Blue Lacys are working dogs and need a job. Keeping Blue Lacys engaged is crucial for their physical and mental well-being. This breed has been developed over generations to perform specific tasks, and without an outlet for their energy and instincts, they can become bored and exhibit destructive behaviors. By providing them with regular work, such as tracking or herding, we help maintain their health and happiness. My sister started Tink tracking a small blood trail at 6 weeks old. This helped Tink's natural tracking instincts grow early. Marlo showed me how to create training trails and how to make it fun for us. Tink's tracking skills have blossomed, showing more precision and confidence with each trail she follows. Her ability to focus and work diligently demonstrates the same exceptional skills Blue Lacys are known for. Now it's time for me to get up to speed with Tink's abilities. The best way for me to learn is hands-on and in person. So, I asked my sister if I could follow her on her calls and bring Tink when possible. The first call, I just followed, watched, and learned as my sister worked with her more experienced Blue Lacys. The experience was eye-opening as I watched the Blue Lacys expertly follow the trail, their noses to the ground and tails wagging with determination. My sister communicated with the dogs using subtle cues, and it was impressive to see how responsive and in tune they were with her commands. The precision and teamwork between my sister and the dogs were remarkable, and it gave me a deeper appreciation for the skill and dedication required in this line of work. So I decided I should share what I learn as I go. Hope you enjoy it! If you're interested in learning more about a Texas Blue Lacy, visit https://bluelacydogs.org. This is the site of the official Lacy Game Dog Registry manage by myself and my sister. Enjoy!!!
Learning from an Experienced Tracker
It's 5 1/2 month old Blue Lacy Tink again! This is a longer video showing her retrieving a stick from the same Texas pond, BUT using commands. In this video you'll see her go after the stick, but either she or the stick veers in another direction. I was able to redirect her using the commands we use while training on a blood trail. It is sooo awesome to witness how Blue Lacys understand the same commands in different situations and applies them appropriately. She quickly adapts and follows the commands, demonstrating the intelligence and versatility of the Blue Lacy breed. It's amazing to see how smart these dogs can be and how they are able to use the skills they learn in different contexts. It's no wonder Blue Lacy's are one of the best working breeds in the country. As I said in the prior video description we didn't push Tink into the water. Blood trail training is the same. We started when she was ittybitty with a tiny blood trail and treat at the end. It was VERY natural for her to pick up the scent and find it. We then started using commands such as 'Ready to Work?' and 'find it'. We then increased the length of the blood trail and the difficulty of tracking down the treat. We also varied the environment to make it more challenging. At 5 1/2 months, Tink knows that when I say "Ready to Work" and a long lead is out, it's time to hunt for a scent. When I say "Find It", she knows she's close and her nose hits the ground looking for it. She has quickly become a great blood tracker for her age. We've kept it a fun game for her so she continues to enjoy it. She's so quick at finding the trail and the treat I almost have to run to keep up. Just love seeing the excitement in her each time I ask - "Ready to Work?". We get this response by reinforcing commands positively and consistently. I'm very proud of her progress and amazed at how quickly she picked up the skill. The results have been awesome and Tink has definitely come a long way in her ability to follow commands and find hidden treats. Her true understanding of the command 'Find It' is evident in this video. You'll hear me tell her 'wrong way' or 'find it' and see her change direction looking for the stick. It takes her a second, but she doesn't give up and finds the stick. It's almost like she felt proud of herself when she found the stick. I also find using 'find it' works well for more than just a blood trail. I can throw a stick into a pile of other sticks and tell her to find it. She locates the one I threw. I can say 'find your toy' and she runs and gets her toy. Every time she is reworded with an excited 'good girl' and pats and loves, which she eats up! Blue Lacys are very intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement. By rewarding her with praise and affection, it reinforces the behavior she shows and encourages her to repeat it. This makes it easier for her to understand what is expected of her and increases her chances of success. With every day that we spend working with, playing with, and loving our Lacy, I can see that this breed possesses traits that my forefathers intended for their Blue Lacys. Loyal and protective, Lacy's are a great addition to any family. But their intelligence and energy require that they be kept busy and exercised regularly. They also need to be socialized from an early age to ensure they are friendly and well-behaved with people and other animals. Although Lacy's are amazing companions, they can also be very mischievous - like when they decide to chew on your shoes or steal your snacks! But that's just part of the charm of having a Lacy around - just make sure you have plenty of chew toys on hand! To learn more about the Blue Lacy breed, or to get more info on training, contact us today through our website at https://bluelacydogs.org!
Lacy Pup Water Retrieve with commands #puppyvideos
This is 5 1/2 month old Blue Lacy Tink. This video shows her retrieving a stick from a Texas pond. She is already retrieving, waiting for command to pass through the door/gate, sitting, shaking, lying down, dropping items in her mouth, and coming on command. Many times with attitude. LOL She loves to play and loves to try to interact with everyone she meets. She is a smart pup and loves to please her owners. She is a real Texas girl! Much of what makes her "her" is because she's a Blue Lacy. Blue Lacys are a true Texas original and bred to be an all around dog. They are intelligent, hard working, driven, and for Tink, a bit sassy. They LOVE their family and want to please you making them pretty easy to train. Blue Lacys are perfect for everything from hunting to herding to being a loyal family pet. They are also very adaptable and thrive in a variety of environments. They have a short coat and are relatively low maintenance for grooming or pond play. We didn't push Tink into the water. She started playing in the puddles, but didn't venture into the pond. We also added a small water trough in the yard that she began dipping into. Then she began making her way to the shallow edges of the pond. Here she found refuge from the summer heat and slowly got further out and deeper into the pond. We let this continue naturally while encouraging her and praising her every time she got a bit deeper. Then one day she just started swimming. She received TONS of praise and encouragement and has not stopped swimming. On land, we've been working on fetch and retrieval. Not long after she started swimming she became consistent in fetching and returning the toy or stick thrown. So, we tried it in the pond and she was awesome! It was amazing to see how quickly she adjusted to the new environment with fetch and retrieve. With her Blue Lacy intelligence and drive, she has unlimited potential and will continue to excel. She is our first blue lacy. However, my sister, Marlo Ondrej, was given her first Blue Lacy 25+ years ago. She loved the dog so much, she researched its breed. During her research she found that the Blue Lacy was actually part of our heritage. Our great, great, great grandfather and his brothers started the breed back in the 1800's in Marble Falls, Texas. The Lacy Brothers created the breed to be very versatile. They needed a partner on their ranch to herd the cattle or sheep. In addition, they needed a hunting partner to find wounded game. They also wanted them to protect their families and keep raccoons and hogs at bay. The Blue Lacy also needed to be an excellent swimmer as the Lacys would move their cattle across the rivers and lakes of Central Texas. The Lacy Brothers wanted their breed to have a temperament that was loyal and eager to please. They wanted the breed to be able to work hard and still be reliable and gentle with their families. The Lacy Brothers wanted their breed to possess the qualities that would make them the perfect working dog, which is why they emphasized hunting skills, protection, and swimming. They also wanted the breed to have a strong sense of loyalty and a gentle disposition, so they could serve as reliable and trustworthy companions. To achieve this goal, the Lacy Brothers selected only the best specimens for breeding. They used trial and error to create a breed that had the desired traits and characteristics. Over time, the hard work paid off and the Blue Lacy emerged as a reliable and hardworking breed. The Blue Lacy is now an iconic Texas breed, prized for its loyalty and work ethic. It is recognized as the official state dog of Texas, and is widely used as a working, herding, and hunting dog. To learn more about the Blue Lacy breed, or to get more info on training, contact us today through our website at https://bluelacydogs.org!
Lacy Puppy Short Water Retrieve #puppy
The Lacy Game Dog Registry (LGDR) had a breeder reach out regarding their experience with CHV. Early August, they were experiencing the joys of their first litter. Unfortunately, the runt of the litter failed to thrive and died. This does happen when breeding occasionally, so they did not think anything out of the ordinary. Then a 2nd pup suddenly stopped thriving and passed away, red flags started flying and the rest of the litter was carefully monitored. A third puppy then started showing signs of fading and bloody stools. The family took the puppy to an emergency clinic and found it had Canine Herpesvirus (CHV) and was told to expect it to die as well. There was nothing the clinic could do and they sent them home. Fortunately, his aunt has bred bulldogs for 25+ years and when he called, she indicated that this virus is more prevalent now than ever. However, she had a solution. The remaining pups are receiving the remedy she provided and are thriving as of today. After three days of receiving the drops, the surviving puppies were all up a total of 80 grams! Each one now weighing more than at birth after all going below birthweight prior to remedy being given. As the LGDR had not heard much about this or experienced it, we did some research. Through the research, the LGDR found that CHV only occurs in domestic dogs and wild canids like foxes and coyotes. Surveys have found that anywhere from 15% to 100% infection rate is possible depending on where you live and proximity to other dogs. The LGDR learned that CHV can be spread through contact with contaminated objects or even through the air. However, it is most commonly transmitted through the nose and mouth. In addition, the research indicated that CHV is sometimes called "Fading Puppy Syndrome" and can be fatal to a litter because it can be transmitted from mother to puppy in utero or through nursing. It is a necessity to take preventative measures to protect a litter from this virus. These measures include proper sanitation and isolation of the mother and puppies. Puppies that are exposed to CHV in utero or through postnatal contact with infected older dogs, can have a serious reaction to the virus. It can cause spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, and high mortality rates for puppies just 3 weeks old and younger. As the puppies age, their body's natural defenses will strengthen and their ability to fight the virus will improve. Once the puppy reaches 6 months old, they rarely succumb to the virus. However, Herpesviruses also travel to the nerve cells where they can “camouflage” themselves, lying dormant and causing infection in times of stress. Dogs can then shed the virus intermittently throughout their lives. If a dam has been exposed to CHV at least three weeks before whelping, she has developed immunity to it, and is no longer showing any signs. Her puppies will become passively immune to CHV by nursing from her. Puppies must ingest adequate amounts of their dam's first milk to acquire passive immunity. But puppies that nurse from dams showing signs of CHV, or dams who have not been exposed to CHV, are still at risk if they are then exposed to the virus. That exposure could come from their dam, other dogs, human hands, or other objects that have recently been in contact with a dog with the virus. The LGDR could not find an approved vaccine for this virus in the USA. So the only way to help prevent this from occurring in litters is by keeping the dam in a type of solitude at least 3 weeks before whelping the pups and keeping mom and pups pretty much quarantined from other dogs for at least 3 weeks after delivery. Owners need to also be sure to be very clean during this time washing hands before touching the pups. For more information, visit our website at https://bluelacydogs.org.
LGDR CHV Video
Blue Lacys are working dogs. As with all working dog breeds, they can become aggressive over toys, food, or bones. That's why it is so crucial to engage in bone training like shown in this video with working breeds like the Blue Lacy at a young age. This is because working breeds are bred to be independent thinkers and to work without direct instruction. Without proper training, they can become possessive and territorial, which can lead to aggression. By engaging in bone training at a young age, owners can help teach the dog appropriate behavior and how to share and respect boundaries. This will ultimately lead to a healthier, more balanced relationship between the dog and its owners, providing a lifetime of happiness for both. Proper training is essential for working breeds to ensure they understand the expectations for acceptable behavior, and to prevent possessive and territorial tendencies that can lead to aggression. Training at a young age sets the foundation for a successful lifelong relationship between the owner and the dog, allowing both parties to experience a greater degree of happiness and satisfaction. When you are not hunting or herding they are also very capable of learning other dog tricks and LOVE the challenge of learning and pleasing. They respond well to positive reinforcement and are eager to please their owners. This makes them easy to train and they can learn a variety of tasks. They are also known for their loyalty and intelligence. Furthermore, Blue Lacy's are renowned for their loyalty and intelligence, making them an ideal companion for those who enjoy teaching tricks and offering positive reinforcement. Blue Lacy's are also known for their agility and athleticism, making them a great choice for those who enjoy outdoor activities. They are highly energetic dogs and require regular exercise and stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Blue Lacy's are extremely trainable and excel in obedience, agility, and hunting competitions. They are eager to please their owners and bond very closely with them. They have an innate ability to learn quickly and retain information, making them one of the smartest dog breeds. Furthermore, their athleticism and energy levels make them an ideal choice for those who are looking for a canine companion that can keep up with them. The LGDR supports the preservation of the breed, ensuring that their unique traits are kept intact for future generations. They are also committed to providing education and resources to help foster responsible breeding and ownership. The LGDR's goal is to promote responsible breeding and ownership of the Lacy Game Dog, and to ensure the breed is kept healthy and strong for future generations. They strive to educate the public on the breed's history, characteristics, and unique traits. To achieve this goal, the LGDR works diligently to promote and protect the Lacy Game Dog's purity and legacy. By providing resources and education, the LGDR seeks to reduce irresponsible breeding and ownership. This can lead to health and behavioral issues in the breed. They also ensure that the breed maintains its unique traits and characteristics, which are integral to its legacy. Additionally, they strive to raise public awareness of the Lacy Game Dog's history and traits, which is essential for the breed's long-term success.
Bone Training Session
This video shows a Lacy Puppy on their first training session for tracking.
Lacy pup 1st Track
Load More... Subscribe