Dog with world's longest tongue makes Guinness record book

NEW YORK (FOX 13) - The Guinness Book of World Records is licking, rather, kicking off its new Amazing Animals feature with a record-breaking slobber machine. 

Meet Mochi "Mo" Rickert - an eight-year-old St. Bernard from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Mochi now officially holds the title of world's longest dog tongue.

Mo's mouth muscle measures an incredible 7.31 inches in length, and, as her human's report, she's constantly stopped on the street by strangers in awe of his lavish licker.

The Guinness Book of Records says Mochi found her forever home when she was two years old, through the Big Dogs Huge Paws rescue organization.

Her owner, Carla Rickert called it love at first sight. Rickert and her daughter drove 11 hours to meet Mo before adopting her. 

The Rickert family says when Mochi eats, her lengthy tongue is known to fling food across the room, but it doesn't seem to keep her from enjoying meals. 

The panty pooch does face some struggles due to the length of her tongue. According to Guinness, Mochi sometimes has trouble breathing and she produces extra slobber when she's nervous. She also has to battle dirt, dust and leaves sticking to her tongue, and she sometimes needs help picking things up from the floor.

But the Rickers say Mochi as a “resilient, happy-go-lucky dog, with a big personality,” that enjoys dressing up in costumes, having her picture taken, spending time with her family, and snacking on sweet potatoes.  

The Guinness Book of Records says it is excited to continue introducing the world to record-breaking animals through its Amazing Animals program. 

Craig Glenday, Editor of Guinness World Records: Amazing Animals says the publication “takes a sideways look at our favorite pets and wild animals, and is a chance for us to celebrate the barking mad side of animal record-breaking."

The book is available in stores and online.