Creating the best life for your Lacy

They have lots of vim and want to do something all the time. If you keep them tied up and don't give them work to do, they will kill stuff, just because they want to do something. All Lacys are good varmint dogs. The best coon dog I ever owned was a Lacy. One day he treed a coon and died before he got back to the house — he was that old and still treeing coons.
Kinley Murchison, 1942 Cattleman

Lacy Dogs need a demanding job

Lacys are a 19th century dog in a 21st century world. If you think a true blue Lacy is going to adjust to your lifestyle, you're in for a big surprise. For over 100 years they've been bred to hunt, herd, track and tree dangerous animals. These instincts were a matter of survival, meaning only the dogs who had the right skills went on to produce the next generation. And trust me, those genes aren't going to change simply because you live in a downtown Austin apartment. If you want a truly happy, healthy, balanced Lacy, you must provide them with an appropriate Lacy job.

Lacy Dogs are extremely smart and can be trained to do many things. I was able to teach Sadie to do all kinds of tricks, we took classes in rally obedience and she did make a great jogging and biking buddy. But none of that satisfied her true Lacy instincts. She wanted to hunt, bay or herd, period. Her aggression issues did not subside until she was allowed to hunt hogs. Once she was hunting and baying on a weekly basis, she became balanced enough to train for agility.

Given the work they were created to do, it's no surprise the Lacy is a very energetic breed. A long daily walk is just the beginning. Which is the other reason why an appropriate job is so important. Real work will challenge a Lacy Dog, filling their need for intense exercise and keeping their mind occupied. Without an outlet for their energy, true blue Lacys will create their own "job," and you probably won't like the results.

Lacy Dogs need a strong leader

In general, the Lacy Dog is a dominant breed. Not only are they extremely pack oriented, they have no problem being the leader and putting themselves above humans in the pecking order. What starts as cute puppy antics can turn into issues of dominance and even aggression in adulthood. Yes, Lacy Dogs are sensitive and reactive. They do not tolerate and definitely don't excel under a heavy hand. But they should never be allowed to get away with bad behavior. A lack of structure will have disastrous results. To prevent issues like aggression and anxiety, Lacys need a stable owner with a balanced touch.

Lacy Dogs need consistent training

When people say Lacys don't need training, they mean they will instinctively herd cattle, bay hogs and follow a track. They certainly need to be taught manners. No dog is born housebroken and obedient, especially not Lacys. Like all smart working dogs, they will learn quickly, but they are also very independent and will think for themselves. That means you must shape their behavior and establish clear rules from day one.

Never forget that these are capable dogs with intense instincts. If your Lacy does develop behavior issues, I strongly suggest getting professional help as soon as possible. And don't expect puppy class at Pet Smart to cut it. Set up private sessions with a behaviorist or experienced working dog trainer.

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Holistic care for healthy dogs

Sadie has been on a raw diet since she was 14 months old. Before that, I spent a lot of money on Evo, a grain-free meat-based premium kibble. But even the best dry food is nothing more than a simulation of the real thing. Now the staple of her diet is chicken quarters and beef liver with fresh venison, wild pork, turkey and beef mixed in. I aim for a prey model ratio of 80% meat, 10% bone and 10% organ meat.

After almost two years on a natural diet, Sadie is the picture of perfect health. She has a beautiful coat, perfectly white teeth and solid muscle mass. Her energy levels are very even and she never crashes while hunting. And she truly enjoys her meals, interacting with her food rather than scarfing down tasteless filler.

In addition to feeding raw, I use diatomaceous earth as a wormer and will use it on fleas if they ever show up. A chalky white powder made from the fossilized algae, food-grade DE is safe for humans and mammals. It is a excellent alternative to the toxic chemicals usually administered to control pests and parasites. Though she received a full round of puppy shots, Sadie is now on a minimal vaccine schedule as well.

I can clearly see the daily benefits of this natural approach. But I also believe holistic care will create the healthiest future for my dog. My family lost Amelia, our beloved Welsh Corgi, after a three-year struggle with cancer. She developed tumors in her skull that caused blindness and seizures. I hope that by reducing the number of toxins and carcinogens Sadie is exposed to, she will live long and productive life.

True blue Lacy jobs

Hog hunting

In the woods, Lacys are expected to track down and bay up feral hogs. Not only do the dogs have to find and follow a pig, they must be capable of dealing with whatever hog they find at the end of a trail. Lacys are stike and bay dogs, and like all curs they are gritty enough to stop a runner. Hog hunting is difficult and dangerous work that requires tremendous intelligence, heart, speed and agility.

Hog baying

In a bay competition, Lacys are judged on style, focus and intensity. One or two dogs will control a boar for two minutes in a round pen. Catching is an automatic disqualification and breaking eye contact with the hog is a serious fault. Though many hunters will train woods dogs in a pen, these competitions require a unique set of skills. Woods dogs can falter at bayings and success in a bay pen doesn't guarantee hunting ability.

Working stock

Herding in a style similar to Catahoulas and Blackmouth Curs, Lacys excel at working cattle. They are heading dogs, which means Lacy Dogs work livestock from the front. Though they have the tenacity to deal with rough cattle, they can adapt their style to move gentler cows.

Running trap lines

A tough job for tough dogs, Lacys make great trap line dogs. They will track animals in drag traps and bay up whatever they find at the end of the line. In Texas, that is often a coyote, bobcat or coon, but it could also be a bear, badger or mountain lion. Lacy Dogs have the skills and attitude to handle a variety of varmints, making them a trustworthy partner for trappers.

Tracking, treeing and more

Lacys are a natural fit for blood trailing wounded deer and have become popular on Texas game ranches. They also instinctively tree game and can be used for hunting squirrels and racoons. Some have been trained as bird dogs, but not all Lacys will retrieve.

Fast, nimble and incredibly smart, Lacy Dogs have all the skills needed to excel in agility and flyball as well. These competitive sports are a great way to keep your dog busy and socialized. But Lacys do have a high prey drive that may not be satisfied by dog sports alone.

If you have to dream up a job to justify getting a Lacy, if you just want a pet and don't have a real job for your dog, you should go with another breed. Many Lacy Dogs have been abandoned or destroyed because they didn't have a real job and their owners were unprepared for a serious working dog. Please make a responsible decision before you bring your puppy home.