Posted on 09/16/2026 11:57:53 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A California golden retriever apparently missed the memo on the whole guard dog thing.
A 90-pound pooch named Nash had an unexpectedly friendly reaction when a stranger allegedly broke into his family’s San Diego home, repeatedly bringing the intruder toys and seemingly trying to turn the bizarre break-in into playtime, per NBC 7.
The unusual encounter unfolded earlier this month in Sherman Heights, a neighborhood just east of downtown San Diego, while homeowner Dante Rowley and his family watched the surreal scene play out remotely through their home security app.
The stranger allegedly got into Rowley’s home near 20th and J streets by using a ladder to reach an open second-story window.
...
Two of the family’s three dogs were home, including Nash, their 4-year-old golden retriever who apparently saw the unexpected houseguest less as a threat and more as a potential new best friend.
Nash can be seen in the security video repeatedly approaching the stranger with a toy in his mouth, apparently hoping to get a game going.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
It’s all in what’s meant by “the worst guard dog”: One that doesn’t bite or one that does bite. Just another “question of the ages”. Cheers!
I’ve never met a Goldie that wasn’t friendly.
Their performance as ‘watch dogs’ is limited to watching the burglar take everything out of the house.
I have 2 Goldens, and my Field Bred would do exactly that up to rolling over for a belly rub.
“ I’ve never met a Goldie that wasn’t friendly.”
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They can’t help themselves… they really can’t.
“ I’ve never met a Goldie that wasn’t friendly.”
********************************
They can’t help themselves… they really can’t.
Golden retriever are Best Buddies not Guard Dogs ,LOL
We had two huskies that were too friendly.
If we had a home robbery, they would probably show them were the good stuff was hidden and help them load it for a little attention.
I knew a guy who had one that was so friendly, she'd probably help the burglar carry out the looted goods. But he'd be stuck there until she was done with him throwing her ball.
Our Great Dane and Mastiff do a Great Job!!!
Given this is CA, the homeowner is lucky the burglar didn’t just declare the home his and kick the owners out.
They need bars on their windows, broken glass, the works.
The guy is undoubtedly released and will be back and kill them in their sleep.
We had a husky that was knocked up by a WOLF.
Huge animals. Would hunt anything that wasn’t a person, cattle, horse, another canine, or a housecat (they loved our cat). Very friendly to family.
Absolutely worthless guard animals. They would literally sleep through anything unless roused by a yellow ranch dog(which would get them going — after about 5 minutes).
My understanding is no family dog will protect property unless trained to do so. And protecting family members is not guaranteed, unless so trained.
Lucky the guy didn’t fall when the ladder moved; he’d have probably sued.
I guess the family can count their blessings it was a burglar and not a cop, or the vicious canine would have almost certainly been destroyed.
I miss the Far Side cartoons (by Gary Larson).
Not if they are taught to bark. Not attack, just wake up Mom&Dad about the guy breaking in.
A watch dog is just that: WATCH. The job description says nothing about repel. Quit buying a doggo for protection if you are unwilling to work as a team: you let me know, I handle the problem. Oh, and then, you don’t dig him up.
I freaking love golden retrievers!
There are four things golden retrievers, love:
1. Love
2. Food.
3. Water.
4. Dead, rotting things or excrement to roll in.
That’s it. They live a simple life.
I do love golden retrievers… :-)
We have a 13YO Rotten Shepherd, more Rottweiler than GS. A couple of years ago, we left our front door wide open on Christmas Day. Definitely a miscommunication between my wife and me.
I drove back to the house after a couple of hours, and the dog was perched in the doorway. I suppose she'd been there the whole time, protecting the house.
She's a great dog, friendly and good with kids. We're delaying the inevitable, her arthritis is catching up and she needs a shot every 4-6 weeks.
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