First recognized by the Texas senate in 2001 as "a true Texas breed," the blue lacy was designated the "official state dog breed of Texas" on June 18, 2005. Originating in Texas in the mid 1800's, the blue lacy was named after the Lacy Brothers of Burnet County (Frank, George, Edwin, and Harry Lacy). The Lacy brothers noted the dog to be a coyote, greyhound and scenthound mixture. The Blue Lacy Game Dog breed is officially recognized by the National Kennel Club (NKC).

Lacies are clean in appearance with tight, smooth, sleek coats (usually gray, sometimes red or cream). There is always some white on the lower chest (and sometimes on the paws). Adults are 18-25 inches at the shoulder and weigh 25 - 50 pounds, with unique yellow to orange colored eyes. The blue lacy has a natural herding instinct which enables it to work everything from chickens in the barnyard to the toughest Texas Longhorn cattle.

Blue lacies can also be indoor dogs -devoted to family and good with children, but as a working breed needs daily strenuous activity. The breed is known to be extremely intelligent and very easy to train. Blue lacies are very sensitive to loud noise and should not be kept near loud environments (they can become nervous when reprimanded too harshly and respond better to firm, quiet commands).

State dogs - Louisiana: Catahoula leopard dog, Maryland: Chesapeake Bay retriever, Massachusetts: Boston terrier, Pennsylvania: great Dane, Texas: blue lacy, South Carolina: Boykin spaniel, North Carolina: Plott hound, Virginia: American fox hound, Wisconsin: American water spaniel, and the state sport of Alaska - dog mushing.

Source:

Blue Lacy: Wikipedia

Links:

State Animals - Mammals: 50 States List