Who doesn’t love Golden Retrievers? These Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world for their beauty, their intelligence, and their enthusiasm. Golden Retrievers have such an affable personality. These dogs are always smiling and ready for an adventure, so it’s impossible to resist them, especially when they are adorable little puppies.
If you are thinking about adopting a Golden Retriever, you should first familiarize yourself with their personality traits and their needs to be sure you are making the right choice. Here are the eight most common Golden Retriever personality traits you may find:
1. Golden Retrievers have an easygoing personality
One of the most well-known Golden Retriever personality traits is that these beautiful dogs just seem to get along with everyone. They are extremely loyal to their owners and will do anything for them, but they are friendly and they usually like to meet with strangers.
They also tend to get along well with other dogs and other pets, but it’s still important to socialize them from an early age. If you get an adorable Golden Retriever puppy, make sure it meets with people and with other pets.
2. Golden Retrievers are playful
Golden Retrievers have docile personalities, but they are also very playful. Puppies are always enthusiastic and energetic, but Golden Retrievers retain these traits even as they grow up, so even adults love to run around and play.
Adults are not aware of their size, and often act as if they were still tiny puppies. If you don’t want a big playful and enthusiastic dog to try to sit on your lap, maybe you shouldn’t get a Golden.
3. Golden Retrievers are adventurous
You don’t need to live in a house with a big backyard to be a Golden Retriever owner. However, if you live in a tiny apartment, be prepared to go out for a long walk at least once a day.
Golden Retrievers have energetic personalities, and they love going on adventures. They love to fetch, and they will be happy to accompany you whether you are jogging, cycling, hiking, or swimming. They love water and are usually good swimmers, but they also love to roll in mud any chance they get.
4. Golden Retrievers are friendly towards children
If you have a family, or if you are planning on having children soon, a Golden Retriever is an excellent choice as they make great family dogs. They easily make the difference between an adult and a child, and they are extremely gentle with children. In fact, they often treat human children like they were their own kids.
If you have a Golden Retriever, even if it is a fully grown adult, you don’t have to worry about how it will act around a baby or a toddler.
5. Golden Retrievers are highly intelligent
Golden Retrievers were bred to work with hunters, and hunters still use them to this day. They also make great therapy dogs and guide dogs. They are highly intelligent, and they are eager to please, so they can learn very quickly. Obedience training works very well with Golden Retrievers.
They need mental stimulation to be happy, so if you don’t have time to play games with your Golden, or if you don’t give them any puzzle toys, they will get bored and might develop bad behaviours.
6. Golden Retrievers don’t make good watch dogs
If you would like to get a watch dog to feel safer in your home, you should choose another breed. Golden Retrievers are friendly, and they are most likely to welcome strangers with a big smile and a wagging tail.
It is not in the Golden Retrievers’ personality to bark, so you can’t really count on them to warn you if someone is lurking around your home. They are calm and gentle, and unless someone tries to harm you, your Golden probably won’t have any guard instincts.
7. Golden Retrievers need a lot of attention
Golden Retrievers need a lot of attention. Their personality is extremely affectionate, and they love being around their favourite humans. Your Golden will probably follow you around the house, and sit at your feet when you are eating or watching television.
This also means that if you leave your Golden alone all the time because you are working and no one else is home, your dog will be sad and miserable. A Golden Retriever will be happier in a household where there is always someone home with them.
8. Golden Retrievers love to eat
Like many dog breeds, Golden Retrievers love to eat. They will try to eat anything that looks or smells like food, and they often eat way too much.
If you don’t want an overweight and unhealthy dog, make sure your Golden gets plenty of exercise each day, and don’t share your meals with them even if they beg for a piece of whatever is in your plate. Your Golden will beg for food, and you will find it difficult to resist them.
