Every year, the Central Canine Society reveals the ranking of the favorite breeds of French according to LOF registrations. For a long time Dauphin, the Golden Retriever finally dethroned in 2025 the Australian Shepherdbecoming the most popular dog in the country. Praised for his gentleness and sociability, he nevertheless remains surrounded by many preconceived ideas that it is time to nuance. Here are the 6 most common:
1. He is always easy to get along with
With his adorable face and his eternal cheerful look, the Golden Retriever quickly won everyone's hearts. He is often described as a “good guy”: a gentle, sociable dog who is always ready to please. And it is true that he has great qualities, to the point of being a privileged companion for assisting people.
But even the kindest Goldens stay a dog! He may have his moments of fatigue, stress or annoyance, and he too needs his limits to be respected.
2. He's too nice to be a good guard
With his reputation as a great sociable person, the Golden Retriever is rarely presented as a watchdog. Indeed, many Goldens welcome visitors with enthusiasm rather than suspicion!
But that doesn't mean they don't know how to sound the alarm. Attentive to his environment, a Golden can indicate an unusual presence. Quite simply, his main talent remains more in making friends than in keeping watch!
3. He educates himself
Intelligent, attentive and eager to please, the Golden Retriever generally learns with ease. But that doesn't mean he educates himself! Like all dogs, he needs a consistent framework, patience and gradual learning. The good news? With positive and regular education, the Golden is often very receptive and even enjoys learning alongside his human.
4. This is the ideal dog for a family
In the collective imagination, the Golden Retriever is often associated with happy families. Gentle, patient and very attached to his humans, this dog has everything to appeal to families, especially those with children. But don't let his reputation as an “easy” dog fool you: he needs to exercise, share the daily life of his loved ones and receive enough attention. In reality, the Golden is not the ideal dog for every family, but for those who are ready to meet its needs.
5. He is a lazy dog
With its image of a quiet dog who loves naps on the sofa, the Golden Retriever is sometimes taken for an unsporty companion. However, you should not trust appearances! Behind his calm appearance, the golden is actually a dynamic dog. Originally selected to retrieve game, he loves to run, swim, search and learn. Walks, agility, games, swimming… He needs to exercise to feel good, even if he enjoys a nap after exercise.
6. He is always overweight
It’s hard to resist this look that always seems to be asking for a little treat… The Golden Retriever is a real gourmand, and this reputation is not entirely unfounded. Like many dogs who enjoy good meals, he may tend to gain weight if his diet is too rich or if he does not exercise enough.
The good news is that nothing is a foregone conclusion! With a balanced diet, portions adapted to your needs and a good dose of daily exercise, your Golden can perfectly maintain a harmonious figure and stay in great shape.
To conclude, beyond preconceived ideas, let's not forget that each dog is unique. But even if each golden is different, it must be recognized that this breed has many advantages, and that its reputation as an affectionate and balanced dog is rarely usurped!