Wow, cool story. It’s amazing to me how dogs often *know* about people. I don’t think my goldens are as discerning, which is a positive/negative thing. I never had to worry that they would bite a strange child no matter what, but at the same time they aren’t much protection. Even my spinoni are better watch dogs, at least they will bark at the first sign of a stranger around the house. And they are large and can be menacing looking if you don’t know them. Im not sure who would be menaced by a golden retriever wagging their tail and asking for a cookie.
Never sell your dogs short.
I’ve told the tale of Minny the Ibizan who acted *totally* out of breed character by jumping on the ex’s back when he was strangling me to death.
Ibizans are not even remotely aggressive or vicious...*ever*.
But she knew he was killing me and did what she had to.
They will always surprise you.