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Golden Retrievers are considerate, good-natured and strong team players. They’re naturally kindhearted and love helping, serving and looking for ways to come alongside others, particularly if they’re around people who are hurting. For example, at work, the Lion often organizes the Christmas party (but doesn’t actually go), while the Otter loves the idea of a party and tries to talk to everyone there. But the Golden Retriever will sit with one person at the party — either someone the Golden Retriever already knows or someone he or she wants to get to know even better or deeper. Golden Retrievers may also sit with someone who is hurting or struggling and seek to encourage and help that person.
Purebred Golden Retrievers in grade school will actually send themselves to timeout if they do something wrong (as opposed to Lion kids who send their parents to timeout).
Strengths and weaknesses
Retrievers, like each of the other core personalities, are tremendous people to be married to. But if their strengths are pushed to an extreme, they, too, face issues. For example, Retrievers often tend to avoid problems (or downplay issues) at all costs, saying things like “Let’s talk about that tomorrow.” or “Let’s deal with that later.”
You have a great many positive strengths! Golden Retrievers rock! For example, they’re world-class at seeking peace and harmony with others and in wanting to see closeness and caring in a home, marriage or workplace. But there are times when problems need to be faced and dealt with today — not six months from now. This is why Golden Retrievers need others around them, like a spouse, who has the strength of a Lion or the creativity of an Otter or the detail orientation of a Beaver.
Are you married to a Retriever?
Remember that we’re a blend of all four of these basic personality types, with a few of us being purebreds. And know, too, that while this instrument can give you a valid picture of who you are today, that picture can change over time as you grow, mature, and go through different life experiences.
Learn about the other personality types: The Lion, The Otter, and The Beaver, or take the quiz again with your spouse.
Go deeper
For more information on LOGB (the four animals personality test), go to StrongFamilies.com.
