Good Dog! This Is The Official Dog Breed of the State of Texas

We Texans love our dogs. We have and care for dogs that help us do all kinds of things, even if it is just laying around. And when it comes to dogs you'll find some of the most popular breeds throughout the state, but did you know that Texas actually has an official state dog?

It's true! Texas is one of several states to have an official dog breed of the state. And the story behind Texas' is very interesting.

The Official Dog Breed of Texas is the Blue Lacy

On May 25, 2005 the Texas Legislature officially recognized the Blue Lacy as the official dog breed of Texas. When it passed, the resolution said that the Blue Lacy plays an "essential role" in ranching operations according to TexasCoopPower.com.

House Concurrent Resolution No. 108 describes the Blue Lacy, in part, as “a Texas native, a working dog bred to play an essential role in ranch operations, at a time when the ranches themselves became one of the iconic Texas symbols, and a dog that has more than pulled its weight on many a Texas spread.”

The Blue Lacy is the only dog that originated in Texas. According to the report, the Blue Lacy got its start on a ranch in Burnet County.

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The Blue Lacy, a Texas Original

According to TexasCoopPower.com, the Blue Lacy breed dates back to 1858 when the Lacy brothers moved from Kentucky to Granite Mountain near Marble Falls. Brothers Frank, George, Harry and Erwin all took up masonry and ranching. On the ranch they had cattle and hogs and the brothers decided to breed a dog that could help with the other animals. According to the story, they began with a dog breed mix of greyhound and either coyote or wolf and refined the breed into what is now known as the Blue Lacy.

You can read more about the breed here.