Lesser-Known Dog Breeds - The Ontario Slobberer

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When you think of dogs originating from Canada,, you might think of the Labrador or the Newfoundland. However, few of you will have heard of the breed with the biggest tongue of any dog - the Ontario Slobberer.

You may well have encountered dogs that drool before, such as the Bulldog, St. Bernard, or the above mentioned Newfoundland, but none of those breeds will have prepared you for the ocean of saliva splurged forth from a Slobberer.

The Slobberer is a large, gentle-natured breed gifted with an extraordinarily large tongue, and phenomenally productive salivary glands.

These gentle giants really love people, and visitors to the home of a Slobberer should prepare themselves for a warm, if wet welcome.

Origin

It is unclear as to the exact origin of the breed, as the only attempt at researching the breed ended in a soggy mess.

Noted dog historian and Ontario Slobberer aficionado, E.M. Twangly, spent twenty years, and his life savings, compiling the definitive account of the Slobberer. Shortly after completion of this Herculean act of scholarship, Twangly’s dog, Slubley, managed to get into his study and proceeded to wreak two decades of writing with a hour spent drooling over his desk.

Twangly never recovered from this setback, and turning his back on canine studies, went on to become a banjo player in a travelling skiffle band.

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In the 1920s, the Canadian Postal Service experimented with employing Slobberers as stamp lickers. However, more often than not the stamps were rendered unusable due to saturation by saliva.

Quirks of the breed

Due to the general messiness of these dogs, you may find that your social circle is extremely limited, unless of course your friends have vinyl flooring.

Bizarrely enough, the Slobberer is particular about hygiene and will usually refuse to eat from a dirty bowl.

Keeping a Slobberer

Make sure to provide plenty of water for your Slobberer, as adult dogs are fully capable of drooling up to a gallon per day.

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It is also a good idea to keep a mop on hand to clear up after your pet.

While out walking your pet, it is highly advised to wear wellington boots as as to avoid wet legs.

Notable owners

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Notable owners include the crime writer,  Kirk Dampley, who had a permanently runny nose which was the source of much social ostracism. When younger this caused him to shut himself away from people, which resulted in him spending a lot of time writing, eventually leading to his literary career.

Seeing as a lot of folks object to the Slobberer due to it similarly messy habit, Kirk felt that he had found a kindred spirit in the animal world.

Breed Facts

Colour:

Colours include black, Black and Tan.

Weight:

Females: 45 - 54 kg, males: 59 - 68kg.

Dogs have been known to put on up to 5kg over night as they tend to drool far less when sleeping.

Height:

Females: 71cm, Males: 66cm

Health

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A Slobberer that has stopped slobbering is a sure sign that something is amiss with the dog.

What’s next?

I put out a Cartoon Newsletter with a whole host of hounds, folks, and other critters. Add your name and best email address to the orange box below, and I’ll wing a copy your way.