Is A BLUE LACY The Choice for your family?
Before getting a dog
There are many things you need to think about before getting a dog; the first and most crucial thing is that owning a dog is a COMMITMENT FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE DOG; for a Blue Lacy that is an average of 14-16 years. And you can never forget that dogs are living creatures with feelings and needs similar to those of a three-year-old child. They are also social animals relying on their owners for love, attention, patience, gentle and consistent training, and an excellent quality of life.
Lacys are NOT suitable for full-time kennel dogs. They are very active as puppies and intelligent, social, tenacious, active, and physically powerful as adults. They require considerable mental and physical challenges daily, or they, like most other breeds, can become bored, unhappy, and destructive. However, a Lacy whose mental, emotional, and physical needs are met daily can be an exceptionally pleasant and easy to live with house companion and best friend.
Before purchasing a Blue Lacy, watch this VIDEO or read THIS. You will learn how to determine if your Blue Lacy is registered with the official Blue Lacy Game Dog Registry.
Questions for the ENTIRE Family
“Do we all really want a dog? FOREVER?”
All members of the family must be willing to consistently and patiently train the puppy to be a productive member of the family and community. Lacys are both bright and headstrong and test a person’s limits. Family members must learn constructive and FUN ways to teach their Lacy what is expected of him or her. And the most exciting part is, LACYS LOVE IT! They love jobs that tax them mentally and physically. They shine in obedience, agility, herding, hunting, and tracking, all of which require obedience training
The family will need to be prepared to enjoy all that comes with young dogs. Like children, young Lacys can be a bit wild. They will run around the house and act goofy. They will chew up everything they can fit into their mouths. They will bark with joy, play in the mud, and leave dirty paw prints on the sliding glass doors. They will shake off the water while they stand next to you. Adolescence and its accompanying hormones and instability last two to three years and can shake up the entire household! Yet they still need to be loved and handled with gentle but firm commands.
Lacys have documented life spans of 16-20 years, so they are long-term investments. This is why it is important to make sure that you are dedicated to taking care of your lacy for the entirety of its life. This means providing them with proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary check-ups. It also means providing them with companionship and enrichment, as this can help keep them happy and healthy throughout their life.
Is the ENTIRE family willing to attend obedience classes?
It is vital that the entire family attend obedience classes with the dog. Dogs who are untrained and out of control are not welcome in the house, and are seen as obnoxious by others. So, they are often excluded from family social life.
Training is about more than teaching manners; it can also save your dog’s life. Many dogs have been saved by their ability to immediately drop to the ground on the “Down!” command. This is while they are off-lead in the field and an unexpected car or train approaches. Other untrained dogs have not been as lucky.
The most exciting part about training, is LACYS LOVE IT! They love jobs that tax them mentally and physically. They shine in obedience, agility, herding, hunting, and tracking, all of which require obedience training. They must learn constructive and FUN ways to teach their Lacy what is expected of him or her. So the family must learn constructive and FUN ways to teach their Lacy what is expected of him or her.
Do I have TIME for a dog?
Just like adopting a human child, dogs of all ages require time and attention. Time must be set aside every day to socialize, love, play, train, clean up after, shop for, train again, groom, feed and water, take to the vet, train some more. And, if you have the opportunity, participate in physical competitions. The happiest and most successful Lacy owners are active people who enjoy outdoor activities. A young Lacy does not make much of a couch potato! Being social animals, Lacys can be very unhappy if left alone all day.
Before deciding on a specific breed, DO YOUR RESEARCH. Learn as much as you can about the breed–its strengths and weaknesses; its history, the purpose for which the breed was developed, and its activity level; its temperament, personality, behavioral traits, and instinctual drives. Go to events specific to the breed, talk to the owners and spend time with the breed! Get involved with the breed association and read books and magazines about dogs in general, also hunting and herding dogs specifically. It’s better to find out if the breed is right for your family BEFORE you adopt a dog.
Why a Lacy?
There is something inherently addictive about Blue Lacys due to their sweet, bold, intelligent, and active nature. In addition, they have striking yellow eyes and a keen hunting ability. They are easy to train and make excellent companions for those looking for a loyal pet. Due to their breeding as working dogs, these dogs thrive herding livestock, hunting wild hogs, treeing game, trailing and tracking game. They also enjoy search and rescue, protecting, and agility. So fit into MANY active outdoor lifestyles.
Blue Lacys enjoy exercise and mental stimulation, and they thrive in an active family. The Lacy’s are easy to handle as well as extremely friendly, hard workers, and loyal pets that are great with children. Their devoted and affectionate nature makes them the perfect pet for those seeking an active and intelligent companion. They are known for their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and loyal, protective nature. Additionally, they are highly trainable and eager to please, making them an ideal fit for those looking for an obedient and devoted companion. Their sensitivity to yelling means they respond best to firm but kind commands.
Lacys adapt well to all living conditions. For instance, they can live both indoors and outdoors and are well-suited to households of all sizes, from single owners to large families. So a Blue Lacy will fit into any family that has done their research and found they have the time to provide love, attention and exercise.
If you’ve taken the steps and time to do the research and are certain this is the breed for you, go to the Breeders Page or the Texas Lacy Game Dog Association Breeders List!