Often, TikTokers band together to warn each other about certain dating habits — such as the “Ben phase.” But sometimes, the app actually unites to recommend a certain type of partner. Enter: the golden retriever boyfriend. Currently, the hashtag #GoldenRetrieverBoyfriend has almost 45 million views on the app — here’s why these guys are TikTok’s favorite breed of boyfriend.
According to the American Kennel Club, “Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood.” According to TikTok, those traits pretty much sum up what it takes to be the perfect SO, whether or not they have golden blonde hair.
Goofy, charming, and universally liked, golden retriever boyfriends are easy to be around and happy to follow your lead. Think: Jeremiah from The Summer I Turned Pretty. “Usually golden retriever boys are pretty athletic... He’s probably super energetic and likes going on hikes and may enjoy playing spike ball with his friends,” as one user @_shinapark put it. “They can get a little hyper and are a bit goofy sometimes, but overall they’re very sweet, genuine, and loyal guys.”
Here are some of the best #GoldenRetrieverBoyfriend TikToks. (Reminder: golden retriever personality types can come in any person or gender.)