Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed ComparisonAustrailian Blue Heeler is originated from Australia but Blue Lacy is originated from United States. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and Blue Lacy are having almost same height. Austrailian Blue Heeler may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Blue Lacy. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and Blue Lacy has same life span. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and Blue Lacy has almost same litter size. Austrailian Blue Heeler requires High Maintenance. But Blue Lacy requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
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Australia
United States
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
16 - 23 kg
35 - 51 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 14 kg
26 - 31 pounds
14 - 23 kg
30 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 7
3 - 5
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Queensland Heeler
Lacy Dog, Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy
Colors Available:
blue, red
Grey, blue, black, cream, tri-coloured
Coat:
blue speckled or red speckled with dark or cream marks
short and smooth
Shedding:
Constant
Minimal, Constant
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

austrailian blue heelerIn 1840, George Elliott made a match with Australian Dingo and Collie and got a clever and very active dog breed – Australian Blue Heeler. Soon, he showed his good herding instincts and protective nature and got really popular among the cattlemen and ranchers. Soon, as the USA soldiers arrived in Australia, they decided that it will be a great dog to bring home.

Australian Blue Heeler has short, double coat. The coat is water resistant and helps them when the temperature is too high as well. Their coat is rough to the touch, naturally. They can be found in blue or red coat colour mix. The Blue Heeler isn’t actually blue, but their black coat has a bluish tint. Red Heelers have red fur instead of black. They have long tails, strong legs, Dingo-like heads with pointy ears and muscular necks and balanced and athletic bodies.

blue lacyThe Lacy brothers came to Texas in 1858, and this breed is named after them. They wanted a strong, robust working dog. It is a working/herding dog breed that originated in Texas in the mid 19th century.

It is interesting to note that in June 2005, Governor Rick Perry brought about legislation adopting the Blue Lacy as the official Dog Breed of Texas. The breed is also registered by the National Lacy Dog Registry and the Animal Research Foundation.

Today the Blue Lacy is considered to be the perfect all-around dog, with the Lacy family history noting the breed to come from a mix of scent-hound, greyhound and coyote cross. There are theories around the scent hound used, with some believing it could have been an Italian Gray Hound, but whatever the case, the Lacy brothers established this breed under the guidelines required to develop a recognized breed.

Description

austrailian blue heeler puppy - descriptionThis breed is somehow designed for an outdoor life and outdoor activity. This implies that Blue Heelers have nature made of the high dose of energy. They are always ready to go anywhere you go, and they will be a loyal friend. They are actually very clever, intelligent and ready to help.

If you are a type of the person who prefers being indoors and having minimal physical activity, Blue heelers are not the type of a furry companion for you. They have a high daily need for the activity, and they love having lots of space to run and explore. Sometimes, you will realize that having a leash is a must because they will get so playful that they will forget about you!

If you start teaching them to be friendly with other dogs while they are still pups, they will accept that kind of lifestyle. But, if your Blue Heeler is raised as the only dog on the ranch, note that they won’t be very friendly toward other dogs.

Since most of the herd dogs usually respond to only one person, most of the Blue Heelers can follow this old instinct. They can be very independent, as well, and they are usually not the type of the dog that will always be around your leg waiting for a cuddle or ear scratch. But, they build the respect towards humans depending on how they treat him so they can be very lovable and friendly pets.

If you are still confused about their name, you must know that the Blue Heelers can actually lightly nip your heel for attention. They are not aggressive, but they tend to be very protective of the family, humans around them and their property.

Lithe, Sleek and Agile to Look At

blue lacy puppy - descriptionThe medium-sized, well proportioned, muscular and lithe Blue Lacy stands at roughly 46–53cm. He has a coat which is smooth and short and in an attractive gun-metal gray color which can be classified as blue or almost black. Other shades are also available such as cream, yellow, reddish and you also get tri-colored Lacy’s.

Pure Blue Lacy’s have some white markings on their brisket. Whatever color you have, these clean-looking dogs with their low maintenance coats are referred to as Blue Lacy’s. Their brown eyes are bright and alert, they have long tails and their ears hang down.

A Wonderful All-Round Dog

The American Blue Lacy gives one the sense of speed, agility and endurance. He is intelligent, active and alert, being an all-round dog who can adapt to being among ranchers and cowboys and then become gentle with children and his family.

With socialization, he is also tolerant of other dogs. Because he is so intelligent he can be quickly trained, and training and socialization will be recommended for him to ensure he is the perfect all-rounder he was designed to be. His alertness makes him an excellent watch dog.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

austrailian blue heeler dog - characteristicsThey are generally good with children, but you must be aware of their inherent desire to herd. Always supervise when your Blue Heeler is around small children.

Special Talents

Ball tricks, frisbee fun, running companion, herding cattle.

Adaptability

It is best to buy a puppy. These dogs get attached to one human and to the territory.

Learning ability

They are generally quick learners. If you teach them to be playful, friendly and loving, they will learn it in no time. So be aware of the decisions that can cost you when the dog grows up.

blue lacy dog - characteristicsYour Blue Lacy is such a low-maintenance, easy dog to have. Remember to have your puppy vaccinated from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. These vaccinations start from 6 - 8 weeks of age. Also, because different areas have different regulations surrounding the rabies injection, check with your vet about this one.

A socialized, trained Blue Lacy makes such an awesome pet but you have responsibilities towards him. You need to know precisely what is required to keep him healthy and happy.

This is a versatile working dog who is intelligent and alert but also sensitive to being mistreated. Treat him decently and in exchange you’ll have a loyal, devoted canine family member.

Health Problems

Eye problems

austrailian blue heeler puppies - health problemsProgressive Retinal Atrophy usually causes slow and painless loss of sight. This process takes years, but there are cases where this disease took only months before the dog ended up completely blind. It is advisable to take your Blue Heeler to the vet for a test that can tell you if your dog is carrying the gene for this disease.

Lens luxation is a disease where the lens of dog’s eye separates partially or completely. Good news is that this disease can be treated.

Joint diseases

Most common is the hip or elbow dysplasia. This is the disease where hip joints do not develop properly and begin to grind. This condition can sometimes be treated with physiotherapy, but there is a chance that your Blue Heeler will need a surgery. If you have a habit of regular vet checks and keeping your dog slim and fed with quality food, you can a make a big difference.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) causes the dog to have excess cartilage and deficient bone, where cartilage does not get replaced by bone during fetal development. This disease usually requires surgery and prescribed medicines.

Deafness

Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness – CHSD is a common form of deafness.

Bilateral deafness can be identified when the dog is still a puppy, more-less at six weeks of age. A puppy with deafness in only one ear is harder to identify, but it can happen.

Portosystemic shunt means that the blood flow is getting back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. That means that liver can’t clear out the toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly. This inherited type of shunt can be treated with surgery if the diagnose is set on time.

blue lacy puppies - health problemsThe Blue Lacy is generally a healthy breed, but just like with any other dog breed they will be prone to some health conditions. Blue Lacys can also suffer with the likes of hip or elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a disease of the hip where the ball and socket joint is malformed. Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints don’t develop normally. It needs to be watched as it can result in loss of function of the hip joints. The disease can often begin when the dog is still very young.

Hypothyroidism

Some breeds are genetically predisposed towards hypothyroidism, but environmental factors and certain medications can trigger autoimmune reactions. Not only that, a tight collar can also cause thyroid damage. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, skin problems, dislike of the cold and even hair loss and then it’s time to get your pet thyroid-tested.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

austrailian blue heeler dogs - caringChoose a dog food that will provide nutrients that will help in the bone developing. Since they are more likely to suffer from joint diseases, you must take this advice seriously. It would be great if you speak about this with your vet before you choose food on your own.

Feeding the adult

The best food for Blue Heeler is a high-quality food which supplies them with premium nutrition to fuel their activity.

They also drink a lot of water, so be sure that they always have a fresh water available.

Points for Good Health

Lots and lots of the outdoor activity and a quality food. You must be very cautious because this kind of dogs gets overweight easily because they just love the treats and extra food portion.

Games and Exercises

Any outdoor activity that is mentally challenging and interesting enough to keep them from running in the field trying to catch anything that moves.

Exercise

blue lacy dogs - caringTypically of working breeds, the Blue Lacy is going to need a firm owner who provides guidance and leadership, and who is responsible with providing the Lacy with plenty of exercise. This dog was created for work, so they will be totally at home on a farm. If not, they will require long walks every day with lots of ball games too.

Grooming

Care for the Blue Lacy doesn’t take much effort. He isn’t much of a shedder and therefore has low grooming requirements. He’ll require being brushed twice a week to get rid of loose hairs. If you start early with this grooming routine, he looks forward to this ‘bonding’ session.

Routine maintenance will require nail clipping and teeth cleaning as plaque can build up and leave your pet with dental problems and gum disease. Ask your veterinarian about dental care because there are special dog-designed toothpastes and brushes. Also check for ticks and fleas in and around the ears of your dog.

Food

Your Blue Lacy is a high energy working dog so he will require a balanced diet to cater for his energy levels. He will certainly require some raw meat from time to time to avoid skin problems. Home prepared meals are also good and these can include rice, meat and vegetables.

Remember when in any kind of doubt, speak to your vet about dog food which meets the requirements of your dog, his age, his breed and his activity levels. Always have a bowl of clean, cool water available to him around the clock.

Comparison with other breeds

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  5. Blue Lacy vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Blue Lacy vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Blue Lacy vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Blue Lacy vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Blue Lacy vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Blue Lacy vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Blue Lacy vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Lacy vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Blue Lacy vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Lacy vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Blue Lacy vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Blue Lacy vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Blue Lacy vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Blue Lacy vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Blue Lacy vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Lacy vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  22. Blue Lacy vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Blue Lacy vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Blue Lacy vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Blue Lacy vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Austrailian Blue Heeler vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison