Bulgarian Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison

Bulgarian Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed ComparisonBulgarian Shepherd is originated from Bulgaria but Blue Lacy is originated from United States. Bulgarian Shepherd may grow 22 cm / 9 inches higher than Blue Lacy. Bulgarian Shepherd may weigh 34 kg / 75 pounds more than Blue Lacy. Bulgarian Shepherd may live 41 years more than Blue Lacy. Bulgarian Shepherd may have more litter size than Blue Lacy. Bulgarian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance. But Blue Lacy requires Low maintenance

History

bulgarian shepherd - historyThe Bulgarian Shepard Dog comes from the ancient line of Molossers of Central Asia and Tibet, and the shepherds of the Balkans, Turkey and Caucasus. Among the oldest and most valued of the working dogs of Europe, the Bulgarian Shepherd breed was created by mixing the Balkan breeds with the dogs from Central Asia by the proto-Bulgarians around the 7th century. The Karakachanskoto Kuche was introduced to Bulgaria and accepted by the sheep herders. Mixing this breed in with the Balkan and Central Asian mix developed the Bulgarian Shepherd we know today. In the long run the original Karakachanskoto Kuche became extinct, replaced entirely by the Bulgarian Shepherd even in places where the new breed is still called by the Kuche name. Although the breeds are not the same, most of the dog world does not know the difference.

In Bulgaria however the Karakachan is a national treasure and the history of the breed runs deep. One Kuche could run up to 1200 animals and hundreds were used by the herdsmen in the mountains of Bulgaria. There were many regional types of Bulgarian Shepherds with very little difference between those types. These dogs were so prized by the shepherds that the dogs ate first before the people. The dogs however ate a vegetarian diet of milk, wheat, water and oats. The Bulgarian Shepherd lives a long life of often over 20 years. The Bulgarian Army made good use of these dogs early in the 20th century.

Following World War II, the wolves were close to extinction and property in Bulgaria was nationalized. There was no longer a need for a large force of working dogs. The Communist government exterminated large numbers of sheep dogs including the Bulgarian Shepherd. Only those species on government owned farms and in remote regions survived. When the government farms were disbanded in the early 20th century, these dogs were exterminated as well. Only those in the mountains survived. Commercial breeding of the Bulgarian Shepherd in the end of the century has resulted in controversy as other breeds came into the breeding program.

Use of breeds such as Sarplaninacs, Caucasian Ovcharkas, St. Bernards, Central Asian Ovcharkas and Bosnian Tornjaks in these programs resulted in Bulgarian Shepherd or Karakachans that were a lot different from the original breed. There is therefore some concern about the future of the breed in Bulgaria, yet they received official Bulgarian national recognition in 2000. Today’s Bulgarian Shepherd is a guard dog for both property and livestock.

The official standard for the breed came about in 1991 and in 2005 it was recognized by the Bulgarian State Commission for Animal Breeds. Only those dogs that meet this standard are considered “true” Karakachans. The Bulgarian Shepherds are willing to fight bears and wolves in defense of its family and flock. The dog is brave and loyal, dignified and powerful. They are recognized by both the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Bulgarian Republican Federation of Cynology (BRFC) a member of the FCI.

blue lacy - historyThe 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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Bulgaria
United States
Height Male:
65 - 75 cm
25 - 30 inches
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
63 - 72 cm
24 - 29 inches
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 57 kg
99 - 126 pounds
16 - 23 kg
35 - 51 pounds
Weight Female:
40 - 52 kg
88 - 115 pounds
14 - 23 kg
30 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
45 - 57 Years
14 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 5
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Karakachan Shepherd Dog, Karakachan
Lacy Dog, Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy
Colors Available:
BlackWhiteTricolor
Grey, blue, black, cream, tri-coloured
Coat:
Single
short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Constant
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

bulgarian shepherd puppy - descriptionA massive, powerful and muscular Molosser, the Bulgarian Shepherd is strong, agile, powerful and fast. They are intelligent and reliable. They have a long, thick, harsh coat in white with patches of black. Their skull is massive and broad with a furrowed forehead. The muzzle is massive as well while the nose has wide nostrils and is fairly large. It has close fitting, thick lips with strong, scissor bite jaws. The Bulgarian Shepherd’s eyes are deep, oblique and small. They are either hazel or dark. They have an intelligent and confident, yet firm almost grim expression.

Their ears are low set, small and v-shaped. They sit close to the head which sits on a powerful but short neck. They have a broad back, well-muscled body with a deep chest and long, rough tail. Their gait is a trot with a spring in their step. There are two types of coats – longhaired and shorthaired with no undercoats.

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

bulgarian shepherd dog - characteristicsThis is a working dog, intelligent and independent guard dog. Reserved around strangers but loyal and devoted with his family. Tolerant of children in their family if they were raised with them. Not only will she defend human family members, she will guard and defend household pets as well. He is quite capable of making her own independent decisions. These are very intense guard dogs that will respond aggressively if they think their people are being attacked.

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

bulgarian shepherd puppies - health problemsThe breed itself is known to be healthy but they do face some of the usual health issues of the massive, giant breeds. This includes knee and elbow dislocation; hip dysplasia; bloat; entropion and osteosarcoma. All of these conditions require medical intervention, but bloat and osteosarcoma are the deadliest. Bloat needs immediate attention and osteosarcoma is a deadly bone cancer.

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

bulgarian shepherd dogs - caringThese are large dogs with large appetites, but you want to keep them lean and active. Feed them at least twice a day with a high quality large or giant dog dry food. Four to five cups of food per day is the maximum.

Health issues

Patellar Luxation – a floating kneecap or dislocated knee. Will cause lameness.

Bloat - distended or twisted stomach. Can cause death.

Osteosarcoma – bone cancer must be treated immediately as it is potentially fatal.

Entropion – eye issues when the eyelid turns inward and damages the eye.

Hip Dysplasia – May cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

The Bulgarian Shepherd needs a good amount of exercise every day. Remember this is a working breed and they need a job. Long walks every day are essential for his well-being.

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

  1. Samoyed vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Great Pyrenees vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Presa Canario vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Labrador Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Argentine Dogo vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Giant Schnauzer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Goldador vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Dogo Cubano vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Dogo Sardesco vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Central Asian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Mackenzie River Husky vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  12. German Longhaired Pointer vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  13. Pyredoodle vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  14. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Lurcher vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Maremma Sheepdog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  17. Sarplaninac vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Himalayan Mastiff vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Mountain View Cur vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  20. Central Anatolian Shepherd vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  21. Native American Indian Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  23. Greenland Dog vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  24. Komondor vs Bulgarian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Bulgarian Shepherd vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  31. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  32. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  34. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  36. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  37. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  38. Red Heeler vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  39. Blue Lacy vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  40. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  41. Blue Lacy vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  42. Blue Lacy vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  43. Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. Blue Lacy vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  45. Blue Lacy vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  46. Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  47. Blue Lacy vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  48. Blue Lacy vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  49. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  50. Blue Lacy vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds