We briefly adopted a young golden retriever. That dog had a lot of mean in him. I think it could have been worked out of him but I was unwilling to invest my time in him. My husband hated him. I never had a puppy that acted like that. He was literally spiteful. When he was told to not chew on the wood porch he would growl, look us straight in the eye and return to chewing it. Never mind that we provided him with all sorts of other bones and toys. He wanted the porch. If we pulled him away he would try to bite us. I know that sounds crazy, but it is true.
GRs have become very popular.
Backyard breeders saw the dollar signs and now they are wrecked.
I have heard many stories of GRs and the equally popular Labs with temperament issues that simply should not *ever* exist in those breeds.
Hereditary thyroid issues [which greeders do not test for] are also often a cause.
Bad amateur breeders can ruin good dogs so fast you would not believe it.
His RDA for pine was not being met....
poor puppy...../s
We have a Golden and four Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, all have great dispositions. I have only heard the Golden growl one time. Our grown daughter came home to visit and walked in the door without knocking. She beat a hasty retreat back out the door until her father got there and let her in. We had always wondered what the Golden would do if an intruder came in the house. He has such a passive nature and is very gentle. When she came back in and he realized he knew her, he seemed embarrassed. BTW the Golden is hers, he is just staying with us until she finds a bigger place to live.
As for the Cavs, they would be worthless for protection. Love sponges and couch potatoes. lol